The ARA Historical Novel Prize is now open for submissions, offering Australian and New Zealand historical novelists the chance to be recognised through one of the region’s most significant literary awards.
With a total prize pool of $155,000, it is described by HNSA as the richest individual literary prize in Australia and New Zealand.
The prize includes both an Adult category and a Children and Young Adult (CYA) category. Eligible entries must be novels where most of the narrative takes place at least 50 years before publication, and books must have been published between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
Dates:
Entries open: 18 March 2026, 9 am AEDT
Entries close: 17 June 2026, 5 pm AEST
Longlist announced: 2 September 2026
Shortlist announced: 23 September 2026
Winners announced: 15 October 2026
A strong opportunity for published historical fiction writers ready to put their work forward for major recognition.