About the Awards
Since their inception in 1999, the Queensland Literary Awards (previously the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards) have highlighted and supported the exceptional talent of Queensland and Australian authors through numerous awards and grants.
The QLAs were previously administered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (1999–2011), the Queensland writing community (2012–13) and State Library of Queensland (2014–25). They are currently managed and hosted by Brisbane Writers Festival (2026–) with the support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and in collaboration with sponsors, the literary community, category sponsors, grants and philanthropic donations.
#Award Categories
The 2026 QLAs celebrate literary excellence with 12 Published Book and Development Awards across the following categories:
Published Book Awards
- Queensland Premier's Award for Work of State Significance
- The University of Queensland Non-Fiction Book Award
- The University of Queensland Fiction Book Award
- Young Adult Book Award
- Children's Book Award
- Judith Wright Calanthe Award for a Poetry Collection
- Steele Rudd Award for a Short Story Collection (Biennial Award)
- People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award
Development Awards
- David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Writer
- Manuscript Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer
- Queensland Premier's Young Publisher and Writer Award
- Queensland Premier's Regional Publisher and Writer Award
For more information and to see full eligibility criteria, please download and read the 2026 Terms & Conditions by clicking the button below.
#Key Dates
- Entries open Tuesday 31 March 2026
- Entries close 5pm AEST Thursday 30 April 2026
- Shortlists announced late July
- People's Choice voting closes 5pm AEST Thursday 10 September
- QLAs ceremony will be held on Thursday 8 October 2026
#Contact Us
For general enquiries about the 2026 Queensland Literary Awards:
For questions about a nomination or to submit a bulk nomination:
#Partners & Sponsors
