The works of today’s leading Australian writers have been shortlisted for the 2016 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, which includes for the first time a new prize for Indigenous writers, The State Library of New South Wales announced today.

Dark Emu by Magabala author, Bruce Pascoe was one of five shortlisted titles in this category, together with works from esteemed authors, Tony Birch, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Natalie Harkin, Ellen van Neerven and Lesley and Tammy Williams.

Commenting that the book "injects a profound authenticity into the conversation about how we Australians understand our continent," judges described Dark Emu as "essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what Australia once was, or what it might yet be if we heed the lessons of long and sophisticated human occupation."

Thirty judges considered a record of more than 500 entries across 10 prize categories, with the winners to be announced on the eve of the Sydney Writers’ Festival on Monday 16 May 2016. 

$305,000 in prize money will be awarded.