2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist revealed

By Perpetual

23 June 2025

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Three first-time nominees are among the six talented writers shortlisted for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award. They are joined by two previously shortlisted authors and a two-time winner.

Announced today by Perpetual as Trustee, alongside Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, the 2025 shortlist is

Chinese Postman by Brian Castro (Giramondo Publishing)

Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser (Text Publishing)

Dirt Poor Islanders by Winnie Dunn (Hachette Australia)

Compassion by Julie Janson (Magabala Books)

Ghost Cities by Siang Lu (University of Queensland Press)

Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane (Allen & Unwin)

According to the judges, “The shortlist for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award celebrates writing that refuses to compromise. Each of these works vitalises the form of the novel and invents new languages for the Australian experience.”

The 2025 judging panel comprises Richard Neville, Mitchell Librarian of the State Library of NSW and Chair; literary scholar, A/Prof Jumana Bayeh; literary scholar and translator, Dr Mridula Nath Chakraborty; literary scholar and author Prof Tony Hughes-d’Aeth; and author and literary scholar, Prof Hsu-Ming Teo.

Each shortlisted author receives $5,000 from the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.

Copyright Agency’s CEO, Josephine Johnston, said, “Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund is proud to support this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist, which highlights 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. Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors. We look forward to seeing these remarkable stories find their way to even more readers.”

The 2025 winner, announced on 24 July 2025, will receive $60,000.

A live panel event with three shortlisted authors, presented by Copyright Agency, will take place on Wednesday 2 July at Gleebooks.

For further information about the Miles Franklin Literary Award: http://www.milesfranklin.com.au/

About the Miles Franklin Literary Award www.milesfranklin.com.au

Perpetual is the Trustee for the Miles Franklin Literary Award. 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 Australian literature by each year recognising the novel of the highest literary merit which presents Australian Life in any of its phases. Since being established, the Award has distributed over $1.54 million in philanthropic funds to authors. Those wishing to be part of the Miles Franklin legacy can donate to the Franklin Support Fund to become a friend of the Award. Please visit the website for further details.

Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund is a long-time supporter of the Miles Franklin Literary Award, providing $5,000 to each of the finalists and granting more than half a million dollars to this premier Australian literary prize since 2004.

About Perpetual Philanthropic Services

Perpetual is one of Australia’s largest managers of philanthropic funds, with $3.6 billion in funds under advice for charitable trusts and endowment funds (as at 30 June 2024). Perpetual is trustee for over 1000 charitable trusts and endowments and provides individuals and families with advice on establishing charitable foundations and structured giving programs. Each year Perpetual distributes more than $123 million to community organisations on behalf of its clients. Perpetual also assists charities and not-for-profit organisations with investment advice and management.

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