2026 Stella Prize Shortlist Announcement 

Presented by Kate Evans and Dr. Amy Thunig-McGregor

by invite only 

Wednesday 8th April 2026, 6:00PM
2 Esther Lane, Surry Hills NSW 2010
VIP drinks by Scotchman’s Hill
Hosted by Esther Lane

The reveal and indepth conversation about the 6 Stella 2026 Prize shortlisted books will be presented by Kate Evans, co-host of ABC Radio National’s weekly book review program, The Bookshelf, and Dr. Amy Thunig-McGregor, a Gomeroi/Kamilaroi author, academic, and Research Fellow within Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research.

Speakers

Kate Evans

Kate Evans is the co-host of ABC Radio National’s weekly review program, The Bookshelf, and is a regular interviewer at writers festivals. She also has a PhD in cultural history and an ever-enlarging pile of books.

Dr Amy Thunig-McGregor

Dr Amy Thunig-McGregor is a Gomeroi/Kamilaroi author, academic, and Research Fellow within Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at the University of Technology Sydney. A Director at Story Factory, Amy contributes on various committees and councils including the AECG, has delivered a TEDx talk, co-curated both the 2023 All About Women Festival at the Sydney Opera House, and the 2024 Sydney Writer’s Festival at Carriage Works. An occasional media commentator and panellist, Amy is currently working on their next book and has recently completed the second season of their podcast ‘Blacademia’ where they yarn with First nations people about their experiences of Higher Education.

Event Partners:

For further information on the Stella Prize shortlist, or request interview time with any of the shortlisted authors, Stella CEO and Creative Director Fiona Sweet, or any of the 2026 Stella Prize judges, please contact:

Stacey Piggott | Daydream Nation | stacey@daydreamnation.co | 0414 313 222