Evelyn Araluen Returns to Stella Prize Shortlist with Powerful Second Collection
Australian poet Evelyn Araluen has achieved a remarkable literary milestone, securing a nomination for the prestigious Stella prize for her second poetry collection, The Rot. This comes just four years after she made history as the first poet ever to win the award for her debut work, Dropbear, in 2022.
A Prestigious Shortlist of Six Exceptional Works
The Stella prize, which awards $60,000 to an Australian woman or non-binary writer, announced its 2026 shortlist on Wednesday. Araluen's The Rot stands alongside five other distinguished books:
- Geraldine Brooks' memoir Memorial Days, exploring grief after her partner's sudden death
- Miranda Darling's novel Fireweather, a follow-up to her 2024 work Thunderhead
- Lee Lai's graphic novel Cannon, about a queer Chinese woman's emotional journey
- Marika Sosnowski's nonfiction 58 Facets: On Violence and the Law, blending memoir and investigation
- Tasma Walton's novel I Am Nannertgarrook, a fictionalized retelling of her ancestor's life
These six works were selected from 212 entries this year, with each shortlisted author receiving $5,000 in prize money.
The Rot: A Collection Born from Contemporary Anguish
Araluen's nominated collection has already garnered significant recognition, winning the top prize at the Victorian premier's literary awards in February along with $125,000. The Rot delves into themes of grief and solidarity during what the poet describes as "the age of doomscrolling," particularly addressing the horror of Israel's bombardment of Gaza as witnessed through digital media.
The collection was inspired by a pivotal moment during Adelaide writers' week in 2024, when Araluen was heckled after referring to Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide during a poetry reading. This experience shaped the collection's urgent tone and political consciousness.
"I tried to make sure that the book very clearly documented that we knew what was happening in our names and we did not stop it," Araluen told Guardian Australia recently. "I hope that this book dates. I hope it reads as incredibly naive and doesn't catch a glimpse of the political ambitions that are going to be realised in the future."
The Goorie and Koori poet added that she wants the collection to serve as "a record of a very, very uncomfortable truth that we're all going to have to live with."
Judges Praise Literary Excellence and Emotional Truth
Sophie Gee, chair of the judging panel, expressed profound admiration for the shortlisted works. "The six shortlisted books reflect the creative vitality, literary rigor, and expressive richness of Australian women's and non-binary writing," she stated.
"None of these books was as we expected, going in. Each of them moved us to the core through language, the truth of their emotion, and the honesty of what it means to be human, across time and space," Gee elaborated, highlighting the diverse yet equally powerful nature of the nominated works.
Stella Prize Legacy and Upcoming Announcement
The Stella prize has established itself as one of Australia's most significant literary awards since its inception, consistently highlighting exceptional writing from women and non-binary authors. Last year's winner was Michelle de Kretser for her novel Theory and Practice, continuing the tradition of recognizing groundbreaking Australian literature.
The 2026 Stella prize winner will be revealed on May 13th, marking a crucial moment in Australia's literary calendar. Whether Araluen becomes the first two-time winner or another author claims the prestigious award, this year's shortlist demonstrates the remarkable depth and diversity of contemporary Australian writing.
