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MIN READ
We’re delighted to announce the winner of the 2026 Barbara Jefferis Award is Rachel Morton for The Sun was Electric Light.
The judging panel said, ‘The Sun Was Electric Light is a deeply felt, thoughtful and utterly satisfying novel that speaks to the resilience and perseverance necessary at life’s turning points. It’s a fierce reminder that such moments are not always loud or dramatic but come after reflection and quiet focus, and require courage, determination and self-belief. The book speaks strongly of the existential malaise and despair rising from global conflict and lack of security, especially for women. Its message of female empowerment and agency is quiet but resounding.
‘Rachel Morton’s debut novel, The Sun Was Electric Light – a beautiful, elusive work of existential depth and complexity – left us marveling at its subtle power and quiet message of hope.’
Rachel said, ‘To say that winning this award is unexpected is an understatement – when I received the news I actually called my publisher to ask her if it was a scam! As a writer, especially as a writer of ‘quiet’ fiction, you never expect to be recognised in this way. You do your work, being devoted to the craft, and the reward is the writing itself. Winning this award feels magical, to be validated by women whose work I respect, and the money means I can continue to write, even in my ‘quiet’ way! This recognition is an unexpected and joyful happening which will sustain me for a long time.’
ASA CEO, Lucy Hayward says, ‘Our heartfelt congratulations to Rachel Morton! Her novel is a noteworthy insight into what can happen when we pay attention and open up spaces within ourselves for change. It is a privilege for us to administer this Award every two years and to encounter the wealth of literary talent in Australia through the lens of feminist representations of women. As always, we are so grateful for John Hinde’s bequest to commemorate his wife, Barbara Jefferis, which allows us to recognise authors’ work in this way.’
The winner was announced at the 2026 Colin Simpson Memorial Keynote in Sydney on 10 November 2026.
The ASA is grateful to this year’s judging panel, which was chaired by Jaclyn Crupi, who was joined by Tara June Winch and Lucy Treloar (herself a previous co-winner of the 2024 Barbara Jefferis Award and winner in 2020).
The 2026 shortlist included:
The Barbara Jefferis Award celebrates women in literature and is awarded biennially for “the best novel written by an Australian author that depicts women and girls in a positive way or otherwise empowers the status of women and girls in society”.
The Award is named after highly regarded author Barbara Jefferis, a founding member and executive director of the Australian Society of Authors. It is supported by the Barbara Jefferis Literary Fund, which was established as a result of a bequest from Barbara Jefferis’ husband, ABC film critic John Hinde, who died in 2006. The Australian Society of Authors is the Trustee of the Fund.
The winner receives a prize of $50,000, with $5,000 distributed among the shortlist, making this one of the most generous literary awards in Australia.
Rachel is available for interview.
Hellai Gul, Marketing & Communications Manager at the Australian Society of Authors
+61 2 9211 1004 / [email protected]
