Poetry

Her novella, Cold Enough for Snow, has seen the Melbourne author win the Prime Minister's Literary Award for fiction, while journalist-turned-farmer Sam Vincent won the non-fiction category for his book, My Father and Other Animals.

Miles Franklin and Stella Prize-winning authors come back with stunning offerings, while other writers make their debut in our best books of the month. Go on, dive in. 

Little was known about the 3,000 mysterious contributors to the first edition of the Oxford dictionary. Then a former editor made a fascinating discovery.

For the first time, the Australian government will sponsor a poet to represent the country, but the details of how they will be selected remain a mystery.

The beloved Australian musician argues poetry is not something to be afraid of. Rather, Kelly reckons it might change your life.

Brad Murray works as a stockman on an outback cattle station, but when he gets bored he writes his own bush poetry "just for fun".

Indigenous author Debra Dank has won a record four out of 14 NSW Premier's Literary Awards and $85,000 for her memoir of family and place, and says she hopes its success draws attention to the "soul-destroying" destruction of her Country.

Sarah Holland-Batt has won the Stella Prize, for her "lyrical and wise" collection The Jaguar — the second year a poet has won this major award for women and non-binary writers.

Earlier this month, a key commentator said the issue of women writers "not being taken seriously in this country" was "solved", and credited the Stella Prize. But Stella’s co-CEO disagrees.

Poets of colour have gathered for an open mic night with a difference, a chance for them to listen and be heard.

Vivana Luzochimana always thought her writing would just be for herself. That is, until she found an open mic night catered to people of colour.

Succession isn't known for being an "Easter-eggy operation", but its episodes have an odd naming convention which could reveal how it ends for the Roys.

The Booker Prize winner lost her partner in 2019. Now, she draws upon their life together in her new book, Old Babes in the Wood.

The eight reads our critics couldn't put down this summer include a new book from the author of American Psycho and one for Jane Harper fans.

It took many years and a health crisis for Kae Tempest to realise they’d been trying to escape themselves; ahead of Sydney WorldPride, they explain how coming out as non-binary was not only transformative but essential.

Seasoned wordsmiths trade verbal blows and rhymes at the Brave New Word poetry festival in Western Sydney in homage to champion boxer and poet Muhammad Ali.

Nicolas Rothwell has won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for fiction, beating out strong contenders in Hannah Kent and Tony Birch.

Wirangu man Kenneth Wilson came up with this poem as he was at the Native Title Consent Determination for Wirangu people at Streaky Bay this week.

Harry Donnelly and Keith Blake are born on the same day, have a long connection over rugby league and both discovered later in life that they have a hidden talent.

Lake Ohrid is a Balkan treasure, nestled between mountain ranges in North Macedonia and Albania. It’s known for its ancient architecture and natural beauty. But it’s under threat by the very people who love it most.

Tennant Creek's Joanna Yang has been crowned Australia's slam poetry champion, for a passionate piece about Australia's education system.

Joanna Yang takes out the nation's top prize for her spoken word about the need for change in Australia's education system. Watch her winning performance here.

Urbenville Public School may only have 21 students but it is celebrating success against 800 other schools at the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards as a passion for poetry spreads throughout its classrooms.

We asked acclaimed writers, critics and book lovers to recommend great reads for the time-poor among us. They came back with thrilling page-turners, beloved classics and a few gems you've probably never heard of.

Miles Franklin winner Tim Winton, crime writer Michael Robotham, non-fiction author Sarah Krasnostein and others share the books they re-read for inspiration, comfort and insight.