Brilliant books pushing boundaries: Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Nib Award longlist released
05 August 2025 | Council News
A stellar longlist has been announced for this year’s $40,000 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award (please see below). This selection represents a robust variety of works, with writers crafting intrepid new narratives from rich source material.
Now in its 24th year, Waverley Council’s national literary award celebrates the most compelling research-based literature published annually. The Nib recognises nominated works that best fulfil the criteria of literary merit, quality research, readability and value to the community.
Sydney based writer, editor and arts producer Lliane Clarke joins publisher and award-winning editor Julia Carlomagno and author and publishing professional Angela Meyer on the Nib Award’s independent, expert judging panel this year. The judges have reviewed 174 submissions.
Ms Clarke said she was inspired by the vibrant variety of works in the competition this year across non-fiction, drama, fiction and poetry.
“Many writers are pushing all types of boundaries for literature as well, with First Nations writers challenging preconceptions of what is important in Australian history, and also the Western form of plot itself.
“At the heart of it all is a wonderful affirmation of the power of storytelling. For me, the works that stand out take the reader on an unexpected learning and revelatory journey – where we learn something new about the world and our own soul.”
A shortlist of six finalists will be announced on 9 September, with each to receive the Alex Buzo Shortlist Prize ($1,500). Winners of the $4,000 Nib People’s Choice Prize, and the $40,000 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award will be announced on 6 November.
The Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award is delivered by Waverley Council with the generous support of principal sponsors Mark and Evette Moran, and the ongoing commitment of community partner Gertrude and Alice Bookshop and Café.
The 2025 longlist is:
- Australian Gospel by Lech Blaine (NSW) Black Inc.
- Black Convicts: How Slavery Shaped Australia by Santilla Chingaipe (VIC)
Scribner Australia, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia - The Ancients by Andrew Darby (TAS) Allen & Unwin
- Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser (NSW) Text Publishing
- Max Dupain by Helen Ennis (ACT) 4th Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
- Dirrayawadha by Anita Heiss (QLD) Simon & Schuster Australia
- Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent (SA)
Picador, an imprint of Pan Macmillan Australia - Slick by Royce Kurmelovs (NSW) University of Queensland Press
- Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (NSW) Penguin
- Melanesia by Hamish McDonald (NSW) Black Inc.
- Black Witness by Amy McQuire (QLD) University of Queensland Press)
- Mean Streak by Rick Morton (NSW)
4th Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers - The Lasting Harm by Lucia Osborne-Crowley (NSW) Allen & Unwin
- Cactus Pear for My Beloved by Samah Sabawi (VIC) Penguin
- The Good Daughter by Kumi Taguchi (NSW)
Scribner Australia, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia - Clever Men by Martin Thomas (ACT) Allen & Unwin
- I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton (WA)
Bundyi, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia - Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions by Clare Wright (VIC) Text Publishing
Previous winners include Tim Low, Helen Garner, Gideon Haigh, Clare Wright and Delia Falconer. The 2024 Award was won by Melissa Lucashenko for her novel Edenglassie.