The Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists


The Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists award was created in 1997 by the newspaper's literary editor, Susan Wyndham and is made annually. The awards recognise emerging writing talent, and are made to writers who are aged 35 years or younger when their book is first published.
The award criteria were relaxed in 2009 to allow the inclusion of short story collections. That year, Nam Le won the award with his short story collection, The Boat.
The judges change regularly, and the number of novelists named as "Best Young Australian Novelist" each year varies. Ten were named in the Award's first year.

Past winners

2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997