Stories from the West Discover the Premier's Book Awards Shortlist

The 2025 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards shortlist is a celebration of the best of WA’s talented storytelling community. The State Library is hosting a special event for readers and writers on Sunday 27th July. Join us for an afternoon of panel conversations with the shortlisted authors. 

1:00–2:00pm: Bringing Your Book to the World 

Khin Myint, Emily Tsokos Purtill, Katherine Allum, Shaeden Berry and Daniel Juckes in conversation about what is involved with bringing life to your first book and sending it out into the world.

Moderated by Alan Fyfe. Alan was shortlisted for the Western Australian Writer’s Fellowship 2024 and is shortlisted for Poetry Book of the Year 2025 with G-d, Sleep and Chaos.

2:30–3:30pm: Two Truths and a Lie: Using Memoir to tell a Story

How subjective is the truth? What part of the story is left out? Can you change details to get the point across? Delve into the complexities of using memoir to tell bigger stories. With Paul Hardisty, Tracy Westerman, Julia Lawrinson, Gerard McCann, Wayne Bergmann and Madelaine Dickie.

Moderated by Georgia Tree. Georgia’s memoir of her father Old Boy was shortlisted for The Premier’s Prize for an Emerging Writer 2024.

4:00–5:00pm: What makes a Western Australian Story?

Annie Raser-Rowland, Sarah Winifred Searle, Alexander Thorpe, David Whish-Wilson and Louise Wolhuter discuss the impact of the Western Australian identity on their writing (and the impact of their writing on the Western Australian identity).

Moderated by Molly Schmidt. Molly's debut novel Salt River Road was shortlisted for The Premier’s Prize for an Emerging Writer 2024