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About Stella

Stella is a major voice for gender equality and cultural change in Australian literature.

Founded in 2012, the organisation’s flagship program is the annual Stella Prize – a major literary award celebrating Australian women’s writing.

Stella also delivers a suite of year-round initiatives which actively champion Australian women writers, tackle gender bias in the literary sector, and connect outstanding books with readers.

Our Purpose

Through a series of strategic initiatives, Stella strives to promote books by Australian women and non-binary writers, support greater participation in the world of literature, and create a more equitable and vibrant national culture. We do this by:

Supporting women writers

At Stella, we know women need two precious resources to write: time and space. Each year, Stella awards significant funds directly to women writers through the Stella Prize, which can literally buy them time to write their next book – as well as writing residencies that offer a much-needed break from daily life to dedicate to creative projects.

Growing readership for women writers

Women writers make an invaluable contribution to Australian literature and cultural life. Through our public events and digital platforms, Stella raises the profile of women writers, drives significant book sales, and connects them to an ever-growing community of readers.

Driving systemic change

Stella recognises that high-quality research is critical to tackling gender bias and promoting positive change. Our data-driven initiatives – including our long-running Stella Count – collect, analyse, and distribute research on gender bias in the Australian literary sector in order to inform, and ultimately, shift approaches towards equal representation in the arts.

Increasing access to and participation in literature

We believe storytelling and reading are essential tools by which to understand ourselves, foster connections with others, and learn about the world around us. Through Stella’s work with teens and teachers, we seek to engage and inspire the next generation of readers and writers, and create lasting pathways to participation in the world of literature.


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Interviews
August 2021

Q&A with Stella’s Executive Director, Jaclyn Booton

Get to know Stella’s Executive Director, Jaclyn Booton.

Features
August 2022

Reflections and Resources on Gender

Stella advocates for a nuanced conversation around gender equality. Read some reflections and resources on gender compiled by the Stella team.

Features
August 2021

Stella’s Story

Dreams of the Stella Prize emerged in early 2011 out of a panel that was held at Readings, an independent Melbourne bookstore, on International Women’s Day.

Help change the story

As a not-for-profit organisation with ambitious goals, Stella relies on the generous support of donors to help fund our work.

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Contact Stella

The Stella Prize Inc
C-The State Library of Victoria
328 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

info@stella.org.au

ARBN: 657 317 283


Stella acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, community, and culture. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and, through them, to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.



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A voice for gender equality and cultural change in Australian literature