The Nib Literary Award celebrates exceptional Australian research-based literature, judging nominated titles on literary merit, quality of research, readability, and value to the community.
Everyone at Text is delighted that Snake Talk has been recognised as a 2026 finalist, and is now eligible for the Nib People's Choice Prize, chosen through public voting, as well as the overall award.
Of the six shortlisted titles, the judging panel said:
'The judges were happily reminded that research-based literature is in robust health in Australia. 176 books were entered for the Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award in 2026. In selecting a shortlist of six, we were struck not only by the range of topics and locations chosen by writers but by the variety of genres represented. History and biography sit alongside poetry, historical fiction, and Indigenous traditions of yarning. The shortlisted titles are grounded, outward looking, and ambitious in just the right way.'
Voting for the Nib People’s Choice Awards opens on 8th September, 2026 and closes on 8th October via https://haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au/nib-peoples-choice-prize-2026.
The winnner of the 2026 Nib People's Choice Award and the Mark & Evette Moran Nib Literary Award will both be announced in November.
Congratulations again to Tyson and Megan, and make sure to head over to the Waverley Council website and vote for Snake Talk!
