Australia’s premier book awards for crime books written by Australian women.
Celebrating excellence in crime writing by Australian women.
Entries are now open for the 26th Annual Davitt Awards for the best Australian women’s crime and mystery books of 2025.
Sisters in Crime Australia takes great pleasure in inviting you to enter the Davitt Awards for the best crime or mystery novels and non-fiction by Australian women published in 2025.
For a quarter of a century, Sisters in Crime Australia has been shining a spotlight on the incredible achievements of women crime writers – fiction and non fiction. From the first year with its seven entries to the present day where around 180 books are entered, it’s been an astonishing journey, filled with inspiring talent and unforgettable stories.
The Davitt Awards have always been about more than just recognising great writing; they’re about celebrating the voices that shine a light on society as a whole, push boundaries and keep readers on the edge of their seats. From debut novels to well-established voices, the Davitts honour the diversity and power of Australian women writers in the worlds of crime fiction and true crime.
This spans adult, young adult and children’s novels, as well as nonfiction.
The Davitt Awards celebrate the history, the thriving present, and the exciting future of women’s crime writing in this country: stronger and more diverse than ever, popular as well as experimental, and for readers of all ages as well as lovers of different genres and forms.
– Dr Kelly Gardiner, President, Sisters in Crime
This year, Sisters in Crime Australia particularly encourages submissions from writers of Young Adult and Children’s books.
WHY ENTER?
Previous winners say a coveted Davitt Award has added impetus to their career as well as a morale boosting recognition of the calibre of their work. It has encouraged them to continue to write and to further develop their craft.
It’s a wonderful showcase to the world of the depth of talent among Australian women writers.
For many readers and fellow authors, the annual Davitts shortlist becomes required reading.
Sisters in Crime engage in an extensive media and social media campaign around the Davitts each year and seek out opportunities for publicity for winning authors.
Entries open on 1 November 2025 and close on 31 January 2026.
All questions about the Davitt Awards should be sent to Ruth Wykes, the awards co-ordinator.