Interview: Gillian O’Shaunessey – 2026 Stella Prize Judge
An interview with writer, journalist and facilitator, Gillian O’Shaunessey.
What role do you believe literary awards like the Stella Prize play in sparking conversations and shaping the literary canon?
Well, we all love a list. Sharing and arguing and championing and celebrating nominees and winners is at the heart of our communal love of books. I think anyone who thinks reading is a solitary pastime hasn’t given much thought to the profound connection at the core of a shared story.
Awards like the Stella provide space for a greater range of historically marginalised voices and stories, they provide space for innovation, they reward risk. I don’t think it’s an accident that since the Stella Prize was founded in response to women being consistently dismissed and overlooked by serious literary awards, that suddenly women are winning more serious literary awards across the board. Stories can’t shape a literary canon if they go unnoticed.
How will you prepare yourself to read a large volume of work fairly and thoroughly over the judging period?
I’m doing my best to clear the decks as much as possible around the pointy end of the reading period because a lot of the work requires time and being very present in the first instance. I think it’s important to go into each story with an open mind, to respect the author’s intent and effort. Before I can be a judge I have to start as a reader. I’ll read for immersion without thinking about anything else too hard. Then I’ll read it again with a more considered eye for things like craft, impact, originality. At a certain stage of competition, when you’re down to longlists and shortlists, I do think judging books can be a subjective process and I am very conscious of that. I need to know I can defend my choices beyond what I like and what I don’t like to read. I’m very glad I’m not doing this alone.
I don’t think it’s an accident that since the Stella Prize was founded in response to women being consistently dismissed and overlooked by serious literary awards, that suddenly women are winning more serious literary awards across the board.
What excites you most about being part of a prize that elevates women’s and non-binary voices in literature?
When you think about the thousands of years humans have been writing down stories and then you think of how long women and non-binary writers have had their work considered of value to a broad audience, I just think there’s a long way to go before we get anything close to balance. I don’t mean simply in terms of what’s fair, I also mean balance in terms of sharing knowledge and experience, in terms of creating space. I’m excited because I’m curious. I’m excited because I think I’m going to get to read some really special books. I’m excited for the authors. They’ve written a book so they’ve basically already made magic right there, their book has been put forward by a publisher who thinks they could win one of Australia’s most prestigious writing awards and shower glory on the whole crew. It’s brilliant before the judging even starts. I think I’m going to get more and more excited and end up basically unbearable.
Is there a book by a woman or a non-binary writer that you’d recommend to others?
Elfie Shiosaki, Homecoming.
Madison Godfrey, Dress Rehearsals.
Elizabeth Tan, Smart Ovens for Lonely People.
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