Stella Day Out Bendigo - 2026 Stella Prize Longlisters

Bendigo Library and Bookish Bendigo proudly present Stella Day Out: Bendigo, a celebration of Australia’s best women and non-binary writers.

Stella, in partnership with Goldfields Libraries and Bookish Bendigo, is proud to announce a FREE one-day literary event, where 2026 Stella Prize long-listed authors will give their first public appearance following the long list announcement. Local readers and writers will have the first chance to hear directly from some of the long-listed writers as they discuss their craft in conversation with local moderators Cate Kennedy and Cecile Shanahan.

Editor, awards judge, and curator Cecile Shanahan will moderate the first discussion, and the second session will be moderated by local writer and academic Dr Cate Kennedy. Cate’s novel Like A House On Fire was shortlisted for the inaugural Stella Prize in 2013, and she was a Stella Prize judge in 2022.

This will be an intimate evening of exciting conversation and big ideas, celebrating some of the best new Australian writing, hosted at the beautiful Bendigo library. Please join us in celebrating some of the year's best new Australian writing. Authors will be announced two days prior on 11 March. Bookings FREE but essential.

~

Doors at 5pm

Session #1 – 5:30pm-6:30pm

Cecile Shanahan in conversation with Stella Prize longlisted author/s

Session #2 – 6:45pm-7:45pm

Cate Kennedy in conversation with Stella Prize longlisted author/s

~

Book sale and signing available afterward, hosted by Bookish Bendigo.

Beverages and light refreshments provided.