The Stella Prize: One Year On

In response to the seemingly endless parade of male writers shortlisted and winning Australian literary prizes, in 2013 a new paradigm was born – the Stella Prize, Australia’s first prize to reward a woman writer for the best book of the year.

Ironically, since the formation of the Stella Prize, women have scooped the majority of Australian literary awards. Anna Funder, Gillian Mears and Michelle de Kretser have dominated winner’s podiums with their books All That I Am, Foal’s Bread and Questions of Travel. This year’s shortlisted authors are Hannah Kent, Anna Krien, Fiona McFarlane, Kristina Olsson, Alexis Wright and Clare Wright.

Following the 2014 Stella Prize announcement, last year’s inaugural winner Carrie Tiffany and Stella Prize co-founder Aviva Tuffield will be joined by this year’s winner –now revealed as Clare Wright – to question whether the award has provoked a fundamental change in how women writers are viewed, or if gender bias is as virulent as ever.

A good event starts great conversations. Here’s your chance to stay back a while and meet the speakers. Nibbles provided. Drinks available for purchase.

The final half hour of the published event time is set aside for informal conversation and drinks.