2026 ACT Book of the Year Award

This is a preview of the 2026 ACT Book of the Year Award nomination form form. You will be able to start a submission when the round opens at 10:00AM 19 February 2026 (AEDT)
 

2026 ACT Book of the Year Award nomination

* indicates a required field.

Conditions of entry

Nominations must meet the ACT Book of the Year Award eligibility requirements and the Conditions of Entry listed below.

  • The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Tuesday 31 March 2026.
  • Nominations will only be accepted from the author or their publisher.
  • The nominated book must have been published in English for the first time in the previous year, between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025 (the publication date is taken as the date printed in the book).
  • The nominated book must have been written by an author who resides in the ACT or can strongly demonstrate a current ACT-based arts practice.
  • Only one book per author may be nominated.
  • For co-authored books, at least one author must reside in the ACT. All authors must agree to the nomination.
  • Only the co-author/s who reside in or have a connection to Canberra will be eligible to receive any award.
  • The following books are not eligible for nomination: anthologies, military studies, photography books, instruction manuals, university theses, bibliographies, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, professional reference titles, guide books, catalogues, personal growth books, lifestyle or hobby books, educational text books and books entirely generated by AI.
  • Young Adult and Children’s books are eligible for nomination.
  • E-books and books primarily published electronically are eligible as long as they are also available in PDF format to provide to judges. 
  • The nomination form must be submitted online through SmartyGrants before the deadline.
  • Four copies of the nominated title need to be supplied to artsACT.
  • If you send the books by post, they must be postmarked on or before Tuesday 31 March 2026.
  • Postal address:
    ATTN: artsACT                   
    GPO Box 158                     
    CANBERRA  ACT  2601 
  • If delivering in person at 220 London Circuit, Canberra, please contact us on (02) 6207 2384 or email artsACT@act.gov.au in advance to arrange a delivery time. 
  • artsACT will determine eligibility but may seek the advice of the judging panel or clarification from the nominator. The decision of artsACT is final.
  • Copies of nominated books received will be donated to Libraries ACT. Books will not be returned to the author or publisher.
  • Copies of the shortlisted and winning books will be used to promote the Award and the authors.
  • If an event is held to announce the shortlisted and winning books, the shortlisted authors may be invited to attend.

Nomination Details

Write 'self-published' if applicable
The nominated book must have been published for the first time between 1 January and 31 December 2025
Are you the author or publisher? * Required
Response required.
Clear the selected value for Are you the author or publisher?
Choose one only. If you have self-published, select author.

Book Delivery

The books will be delivered: * Required
 

This section is not applicable because of your response to question: "The books will be delivered:" on page 1

I will contact artsACT in advance to arrange a delivery time.
Please deliver in person at 220 London Circuit, Canberra, after contacting us on (02) 6207 2384 or emailing artsACT@act.gov.au to arrange a suitable delivery time.

Author nomination

Author's name * Required
Address Line 1, Suburb/Town, State/Province, Postcode, and Country are required. 
Address Line 1, Suburb/Town, State/Province, Postcode, and Country are required. 
 

If you are not an ACT resident attach a statement that strongly demonstrates an ACT-based arts practice, with a focus on the last two years.

For details about demonstrating an ACT-based arts practice, see Information for Applicants.

ACT-based arts practice
Attach a file: Select stored file

    Co-author nomination (Not Applicable)

    This section is not applicable because of your response to question: "Are you the author or publisher?" on page 1

     

    NOMINATING AUTHOR'S DETAILS

    Must be an Australian phone number. 
    Must be an email address. 
    Address Line 1, Suburb/Town, State/Province, Postcode, and Country are required. 
    Address Line 1, Suburb/Town, State/Province, Postcode, and Country are required. 
     

    Please note that only co-author/s who reside in or have a connection to the ACT are eligible to receive any award.

    If you are not an ACT resident attach a statement that strongly demonstrates an ACT-based arts practice, with a focus on the last two years.

    For details about demonstrating an ACT-based arts practice, see Information for Applicants.

    ACT-based arts practice
    Attach a file: Select stored file
       

      Attach written permission to submit this nomination from each co-author.

      Co-author permissions * Required
      Attach a file: Select stored file
        Please ensure each statement includes full contact details for each co-author.

        Publisher nomination (Not Applicable)

        This section is not applicable because of your response to questions:

        • "Are you the author or publisher?" on page 1
        • "Are you the author or publisher?" on page 1
         

        AUTHOR'S DETAILS

        Must be an Australian phone number. Must be the author's number.
        Address Line 1, Suburb/Town, State/Province, Postcode, and Country are required. Must be the author's address.
         

        If the author is not an ACT resident, attach a statement that strongly demonstrates an ACT-based arts practice, with a focus on the last two years.

        For details about demonstrating an ACT-based arts practice, see Information for Applicants.

        ACT-based arts practice
        Attach a file: Select stored file
           

          If the book is co-authored, attach written permission to submit this nomination from each co-author.

          Co-author permissions
          Attach a file: Select stored file
            Please ensure each statement includes full contact details for each co-author.
             

            PUBLISHER'S CONTACT DETAILS

            Contact person * Required
            Address Line 1, Suburb/Town, State/Province, Postcode, and Country are required.