Davitt Awards 2016 longlists announced

Sisters in Crime has announced the longlists for the 2016 Davitt Awards for the best crime books by Australian women.

There are 77 titles longlisted, including 47 adult novels, nine YA novels, eight children’s novels and 13 nonfiction books. To see the longlists in each category, click here.

This year’s judging panel comprises librarian Jacqui Horwood; booksellers Deborah Crabtree and Deb Force; forensic scientists Maggie Baron and Debbie Stephens; and crime reader Michaela Lobb.

The shortlists will be announced in mid-July and the winners will be announced at an event in Melbourne on 27 August, presented by author Liane Moriarty. Winners will also be announced for two additional categories: best debut book and readers’ choice, which is voted by the members of Sisters in Crime Australia.

This year Booktopia has come on board as the sponsor of the awards. ‘Women’s crime writing is on a huge wave and we should all be catching it,’ said CEO Tony Nash. ‘The Davitt Awards have done an impressive job in convincing Australian publishers to back local women crime writers and not just import the latest blockbusters. In 2001, when the awards started, only seven books were in contention—this year it’s 77, more than a 10 fold increase.’ Nash said he hoped Booktopia’s sponsorship will ‘boost the profile and prestige of the Davitt Awards and women crime writers more generally’.

Category: Awards Local news