The Stella Prize

Overview

Virginia Woolf once said that "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction". Though the former is notoriously hard to come by these days, The Stella Prize is seeking to remedy the situation. Now in its second year, this new literary institution offers $50,000 to the best work from a female author over the course of the past year. Head down to The Wheeler Centre this Thursday, May 1, to see the girl power in full swing.

Established as a remedy to the huge gender disparities in the industry, The Stella Prize seeks to draw attention to the great work being done by ladies across the country. Ironically, since its inaugural prize last year, most major literary awards have been dominated by women; the Miles Franklin even had its first all-female shortlist. In the wake of this, this year's prize will spur a discussion: is the gender gap closing?

This year's nominees are Anna Krien (Night Games), Hannah Kent (Burial Rites), Fiona McFarlane (The Night Guest), Kristina Olsson (Boy, Lost), Alexis Wright (The Swan Book), and Claire Wright (The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka).

First prize will be announced in Sydney on April 30; this event will be a discussion with the winner, 2013 winner Carrie Tiffany, and co-founder Aviva Tuffield. Book your seats here.