Australian independent booksellers have announced the shortlist for the 2023 Indie Book Awards.
The Indie Book Awards celebrate the best in Australian writing and cover the best Australian books across six categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Debut Fiction, Illustrated Non-Fiction, Children’s books (up to 12yo) and Young Adult (12+).
Leanne Kadareanu, facilitator of the awards says: ‘This year’s shortlist speaks to the incredible breadth of Australian publishing. Book lovers are truly spoilt for choice when seeking Australian stories and content, and no one can be relied upon to create a list of the best of the best like indie booksellers. These are this year’s favourites as nominated by the true champions and lovers of Australian wriring – Australian independent booksellers.’
The Category Winners and the Overall Book of the Year Winner will be announced on Monday 20 March 2023. For more information visit their website here.
Check out the 2023 shortlist:
FICTION SHORTLIST
Limberlost by Robbie Arnott (Text Publishing)
Horse by Geraldine Brooks (Hachette Australia)
Seeing Other People by Diana Reid (Ultimo Press)
The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland (Fourth Estate Australia)
NON-FICTION SHORTLIST
The Book Of Roads And Kingdoms by Richard Fidler (ABC Books, HarperCollins Australia)
The First Astronomers by Duane Hamacher, with Elders and Knowledge Holders (Allen & Unwin)
Nothing Bad Ever Happens Here by Heather Rose (Allen & Unwin)
The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner by Grace Tame (Macmillan Australia)
DEBUT FICTION SHORTLIST
Wake by Shelley Burr (Hachette Australia)
All That’s Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien (HQ Fiction, HarperCollins)
Son of Sin by Omar Sakr (Affirm Press)
Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor (Macmillan Australia)
ILLUSTRATED NON-FICTION SHORTLIST
First Nations Food Companion by Damien Coulthard and Rebecca Sullivan (Murdoch Books)
Big Beautiful Female Theory by Eloise Grills (Affirm Press)
Cressida Campbell by National Gallery of Australia (National Gallery of Australia)
RecipeTin Eats: Dinner by Nagi Maehashi (Macmillan Australia)
CHILDREN’S SHORTLIST
Frank’s Red Hat by Sean E Avery (Walker Books Australia)
Ceremony: Welcome to Our Country by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, illustrated by David Hardy (Allen & Unwin Children’s)
Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1 by Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard (Albert Street Books)
Runt by Craig Silvey (Allen & Unwin)
YOUNG ADULT SHORTLIST
Cop and Robber by Tristan Bancks (Puffin)
The Museum of Broken Things by Lauren Draper (Text Publishing)
Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood (Text Publishing)
The Brink by Holden Sheppard (Text Publishing)
