See ABIA writers at the Festival

Small publishers are the backbone of the book industry, taking risks and publishing books that might not have made it to readers' shelves otherwise. Melissa Lucashenko and David Marr were both shortlisted in this category for their books interrogating Australia's colonial history. Debut writers Nadine J. Cohen was also shortlisted for her debut novel, Everyone and Everything, along with Robert Skinner for his debut memoir, I'd Rather Not.

Speaking of new writers, Nadine J. Cohen was also shortlisted for The Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year alongside fellow Sad Girl? Bad Girl? Mad Girl? panelist Madeleine Gray, who ultimately won this award. Memoirist Rachelle Unreich received recognition in this category for A Brilliant Life, a book about her mother's life surviving the Holocaust.

This category's shortlist was packed with some of the biggest names in Australian writing. Trent Dalton and Charlotte Wood both have sold out events at the Festival but you can catch Charlotte in conversation with novelist Emily Perkins about her newest work, Lioness. Kate Mildenhall brings her podcast The First Time to the stage for a live recording and Suzie Miller discusses how she adapted her play, Prima Facie, into a novel. Tony Birch and Christos Tsiolkas will also both be at the Festival in conversation with other writers like Graham Akhurst, Debra Dank, K Patrick and Peter Polites.

Two Festival writers were shortlisted in the General Fiction category this year. Debut novelist Madeleine Gray will discuss the trope of 'sad girl' novels in Sad Girl? Bad Girl? Mad Girl? as well as facilitating a conversation about queer desire between Christos Tsiolkas and K Patrick in Queer Love and Longing. Benjamin Stevenson's second novel in his popular Ernest Cunningham series was also shortlisted. He'll be discussing all things Australian crime at Aussie Crime All-Stars and facilitating a panel with some of the biggest names in crime fiction at Crime Lords.

Non-fiction doesn't always get the attention it deserves but these heavy-hitting Australian writers aren't afraid to ask big questions of themselves and our culture. Clementine Ford takes on the institution of marriage in I Don't while Richard Flanagan reflects on the daisy chain of events that led to his very existence. After the huge success of her previous book about wonder, Phosphorescence, Julia Baird now turns to grace as a powerful force for connection and goodness.

Audiobooks get more popular every year as a more convenient and accessible way for many to get reading. See shortlistees across the Festival including Anna Funder in The Library That Made Me, Melissa Lucashenko in Colonial Truths and Yumi Stynes in FEAST, SWF Great Debate: Artificial Intelligence is Better Than the Real Thing and The Dinner Dilemma. Winner Hedley Thomas will be discussing his book, The Teacher's Pet, and the behind-the-scenes of his hit podcast at an almost sold out event, so get in quick!

This award is granted to a book "that created news, debate, buzz and commentary in the Australian media, social and political landscapes" and "led to social and institutional change and raised awareness of issues focused on underrepresented communities." Matilda Boseley's guide to adult ADHD was shortlisted in this category, as well as for Illustrated Book of the Year, alongside Anna Funder's biography of Eileen O’Shaughnessy, Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang's guide to sexuality and Antony Loewenstein's exploration of Israeli military technology.

There's nothing quite like a true story, especially one told from personal experience. The Biography category recognised Anna Funder's Wifedom as well as experienced memoirist Robyn Davidson's reflection on her remarkable life.