Writers of colour dominate Miles Franklin shortlist
Five writers of colour have been shortlisted for Australia's most prestigious literary prize.
Hong Kong-born Brian Castro, Sri-Lankan-born Michelle de Kretser, Tongan-Australian Winnie Dunn, Burruberongal woman Julie Janson, Malaysian-born Siang Lu and Fiona McFarlane comprise the shortlist for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award, released on Wednesday.
The winner of the $60,000 prize will be announced on July 25 by award trustee Perpetual and the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.
Janson, Lu and debut author Dunn are shortlisted for the first time, joining 2013 and 2018 winner de Kretser, and Castro and McFarlane, who have previously been shortlisted.
Judges said the shortlist "celebrates writing that refuses to compromise".
"Each of these works vitalises the form of the novel and invents new languages for the Australian experience," they said.
Copyright Agency chief executive Josephine Johnston said the shortlist highlighted the extraordinary breadth of Australian storytelling.
"From a powerful debut to new works by first-time nominees and acclaimed authors, the shortlist reflects the richness and diversity of voices shaping our literary landscape," she said.
Shortlisted authors each receive $5000 from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.
The Award was established in 1954 by the estate of My Brilliant Career author Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin to celebrate the Australian character and creativity.
It supports the betterment of literature by recognising the novel of the highest literary merit each year which presents "Australian life in any of its phases".
2025 MILES FRANKLIN AWARD SHORTLIST:
* Chinese Postman by Brian Castro
* Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser
* Dirt Poor Islanders by Winnie Dunn
* Compassion by Julie Janson
* Ghost Cities by Siang Lu
* Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane
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