The shortlist is:- Tony Birch - The White Girl
- Peggy Frew - Islands
- John Hughes - No One
- Philip Salom - The Returns
- Carrie Tiffany - Exploded View
- Tara June Winch - The Yield
I had expected Birch and Winch to make the list, but did not anticipate the others. Despite my poor track record, I reckon Wiradjuri author Tara June Winch will take the prize. She has already received the NSW Premier's Literary Award - Book of the Year, Christina Stead Prize for Fiction for The Yield.
The Winner will be revealed on 16 July 2020.