Celebrating excellence in crime writing by Australian women.
2027 Davitt Awards
Sisters in Crime, Australia takes great pleasure in inviting you to enter the 2027 Davitt Awards. The awards are for the most outstanding crime or mystery books by Australian women published in 2026.
The Davitt Awards are a wonderful showcase of the depth of talent among Australian women writers. The awards were named in honour of Ellen Davitt (1812-1879) who wrote Australia’s first mystery novel, Force and Fraud, in 1865.
Six Davitt Awards will be presented at our annual gala dinner and awards ceremony in Melbourne in August or September 2027. Books will be judged in the following categories:
• Best Adult Novel
• Best Young Adult Novel
• Best Children’s Novel
• Best Non-Fiction Book
• Best Debut Book
• Readers’ Choice (voted by 600+ members of Sisters in Crime Australia).
You will find below all the information you need to enter the 2027 Davitt Awards. We are also attaching a list of crime and mystery books we have compiled throughout the year that may be useful for your reference. For more information, or for help with any questions you may have, please contact:
How to EnterAbout the Davitt Awards
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 non-fiction.
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
All questions about the Davitt Awards should be sent to Ruth Wykes, the awards co-ordinator.
JUDGES
Judging of the Davitt Awards is by a panel of seven judges. The judges are chosen for their experience and expertise in the industry and hail from Victoria, ACT, NSW, and Queensland. The panel operates independently from Sisters in Crime.
The winners are notified approximately a month before the awards ceremony and invited to attend as guests of Sisters in Crime Australia. The awards ceremony is always in Melbourne.