Congratulations to UWA Publishing authors Julianne Negri and Helena Pantsis who have been shortlisted in the Queensland Literary Awards.
Julianne Negri's verse novel, The Belly of a Wolf, has been shortlisted in the Young Adult category. The judges' commented: "After the death of her best friend, Red is emerging from the belly of her grief and learning how to live again. Through lyrical verse and allegory, Negri’s mesmerising and rhythmic tale captivates in emotion, style and form. A powerful, haunting and universally resonant tale of loss, love, music and friendship."
Helena Pantsis' short story collection, Mother Salad, has been shortlisted for the Steele Rudd Award for a short story collection (Biennial Award). The judges' commented: "Mother Salad is an exhilarating collection with flashes of the macabre: in these stories, people are often different from who they initially seem to be. Showing a flair for experimentation, Helena Pantsis offers a fresh perspective on transformation, loss and relationship dynamics."
The winners of the awards will be announced at the Queensland Literary Awards ceremony as part of the Brisbane Writers Festival on 8 October 2026. Find out more and view the full shortlist.
Purchase the books
