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The University of Queensland Fiction Book Award

About the award

Part of the Queensland Literary Awards, The University of Queensland Fiction Book Award is for an outstanding work of fiction for adults by an Australian writer.

Eligibility 

  • Eligible entries include novels and novellas.
  • Must be first published between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2025 by an Australian citizen or resident who is living at the time of nomination.
  • To confirm you're eligible to enter this category, download the full 2025 terms and conditions of entry document (available from 3 March 2025).

Prize 

$15,000 sponsored by The University of Queensland. 

2025 key dates

  • 3 March: entries open
  • 22 April: entries close
  • 3 March–17 March: early bird entry period
  • 18 March–22 April: standard entry period
  • 30 April: deadline for books to arrive at State Library
  • 5 August: shortlist announced
  • 12 September: awards ceremony at State Library of Queensland 

How to enter

  • Download and read the full 2025 terms and conditions of entry document (available from 3 March 2025)
  • Read the nomination FAQs
  • Complete an online nomination form by 22 April 2025
  • Pay the nomination fee (early bird $45.00 including GST or standard $55.00 including GST)
  • Send 5 copies of the book to State Library:  

Attn: Queensland Literary Awards 
c/- State Library of Queensland  
PO Box 3488   
SOUTH BRISBANE  QLD  4101 

Find other delivery options in the terms and conditions of entry. State Library must receive all books by 30 April 2025.

You will receive confirmation of your accepted nomination via email.

More information

A woman with short hair and glasses sits in an auditorium smiling and applauding
Nomination FAQs
Find answers to common questions about nominating for the Queensland Literary Awards.
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Two people carrying books and browsing a book stall at a night-time event
Judging process
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Benjamin Law smiles at another guest at the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards reception
History of the awards
Discover past Queensland Literary Award winners and finalists.
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Congratulations to the 2024 finalists!

The cover of The Great Undoing by Sharlene Allsopp. It shows red writing and scrawls across a stylised old history book.

The Great Undoing - Winner

Sharlene Allsopp (Ultimo Press)

Judges' comments:

In The Great Undoing, Sharlene Allsopp takes readers on a personal and meta journey into a not-too-distant dystopic future. Allsopp dissolves the strictures and structures of conventional and consensus realism to give voice and form to First Nations philosophies of temporality, relationality and Country. 

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Cover of Body Friend by Katherine Brabon. It shows two women in a pool with their backs to the reader.

Body Friend

Katherine Brabon (Ultimo Press)

Judges' comments:

A touching, beautifully written novel about the often-hidden realities of chronic pain, Body Friend offers an intimate reflection on the relationship between the body and the self. The novel’s confident voice and quietly ambitious pacing unfurl in ways that are deeply human and poignant. 

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Cover of Politica by Yumna Kassab. It shows illustrations in pink, red and green of two figures, trees and mountains

Politica 

Yumna Kassab (Ultimo Press)

Judges' comments:

Politica is a compelling and timely semi-allegorical story of an unnamed country torn apart by conflict, finding emotional resonance by insisting on the dignity of families, communities and individuals. Yumna Kassab’s impressionistic style propels the novel as it reckons with the human costs of war. 

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Cover of Ghost Cities by Siang Lu. It shows a stylised composite of skyscrapers and Chinese symbols and artwork.

Ghost Cities

Siang Lu (University of Queensland Press)

Judges' comments:

Framed as a contemporary satire, Ghost Cities not only conjures the Truman Show-like Chinese city of Port Man Tou but imagines an ancient labyrinth as a mythical microcosm of society. Richly constructed, it celebrates the books and ideas that inspire artisanal and artistic creation. 

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The cover of Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko. It is red and shows a map, spears and gun silhouettes

Edenglassie

Melissa Lucashenko (University of Queensland Press)

Judges' comments:

Combining two narrative threads – one historical and one contemporary – Melissa Lucashenko’s Edenglassie tells stories of Indigenous life and love during the early years of settlement, and the present. Impeccably researched, the novel offers a story that is as powerful as it is challenging. 

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Past winners

The cover of The Great Undoing by Sharlene Allsopp. It shows red writing and scrawls across a stylised old history book.

2024
The Great Undoing
Sharlene Allsopp
Ultimo Press)

Cover of Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright

2023
Praiseworthy 
Alexis Wright
(Giramondo Publishing)

Cover of The Other Half of You by Michael Mohammed Ahmad. It's a yellow illustrated cover with a large orange hand and a small blue hand placed over it

2022
The Other Half of You
Michael Mohammed Ahmad 
(Hachette Australia)

Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson (Hachette)

2021
Song of the Crocodile
Nardi Simpson
(Hachette Australia)

Cover of Stone Sky Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe

2020
Stone Sky Gold Mountain
Mirandi Riwoe 
(University of Queensland Press)

Exploded View by Carrie Tiffany (Text)

2019
Exploded View 
Carrie Tiffany
(Text Publishing)

An unfocused image of people enjoying the Queensland Literary Awards after party.

Queensland Literary Awards

Explore Queensland Literary Awards, showcasing exceptional authors, both emerging and established, from across Australia.

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