Time is running out to enter the 26th annual Davitt Awards, celebrating the best crime and
mystery writing by Australian women. Entries close on 13 February 2026.
The deadline has been extended, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious event.
The Davitt Awards recognise excellence in the following categories: Adult Fiction, Non-
Fiction, Young Adult, Children’s and Best Debut. Towards the end of judging, voting for the
Best Readers’ Choice category is opened to our financial members.
Judges’ Chairperson, Ruth Wykes, has noted a number of strong contenders for this
year’s awards.
All crime and mystery books by women published in 2025 are eligible. Australian crime writing is world-class, and we are looking for stories that showcase unique storytelling and the wonderful talent of women crime and mystery writers in
this country.– Ruth Wykes, Davitt Awards Judge Chair
For a quarter of a century, Sisters in Crime Australia has been shining a spotlight on the
incredible achievements of women crime writers, of fiction and non-fiction. From its first
year with only seven entries to the present day where around 180 books are entered, the
Davitts have been on an astonishing journey filled with inspiring talent and unforgettable
stories. Previous winners include: Dervla McTiernan, Emma Viskic, Karen Foxlee, Chloe
Hooper, Jane Harper, Sally Hepworth and Jaclyn Moriarty – to name just a few.
The Davitt Awards are about more than recognising great writing; they’re about celebrating
voices that shine a light on society, 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.
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 as well as self-published authors.
Why enter?
Previous winners say a coveted Davitt Award has added impetus to their career and given
them morale boosting recognition for the calibre of their work. It has encouraged them to
continue writing and to further develop their craft.
Author Vikki Wakefield, winner of the 2025 Davitt Award for Best Adult Fiction says:
“I’ve been taking book recommendations from the very discerning Sisters in Crime
members for many years, so to accept the 2025 Davitt Adult Fiction Award, for To
the River, was the highest compliment. Not only did winning this award give my
work a boost on a professional level, on a personal one it gave me new connections
with the wider community of Australian women crime writers and readers. (And, of
course, the Davitt ceremonies are legendary – Sisters know how to get frocked up!)”
The awards present a wonderful showcase to the world of the depth of talent among
Australian women writers.
For many readers and fellow authors, the annual Davitt’s shortlist becomes required
reading, adding a variety of newly discovered writing to everyone’s to-be-read pile.
Sisters in Crime engage in an extensive media and social media campaign around the
Davitt Awards each year and seek out opportunities for publicity for winning authors.
This year’s esteemed judging panel is: Philomena Horsley, Moraig Kisler, Christina Lee,
Sarah Jackson, Erina Reddan, Judith Rossell and Ruth Wykes.
Enter now!
There’s more information here.
For all enquiries: davitts@sistersincrime.org.au