12/01/2026

Judge's insights: A guide for publisher's entering ABIA 2026

Thinking about entering the 2026 Australian Book Industry Awards? This guide is for you. We’ve pulled together insights and learnings from the 2025 judging panels to show what really stood out – what caught their attention, what made entries easy to champion, and what separated the winners from the rest.

It draws on judging comments from 2025 and highlights what really makes an entry stand out, including:

• Editorial care as a big differentiator  
• Meeting the criteria really matters  
• Evidence and metrics strengthen your story 

Download guide here

ABIA 2026 is more than a chance to showcase your work – it’s an opportunity to gain national recognition, attract new talent, and boost team morale.

The strongest ABIA entries in 2025 shared the following: a real editorial and strategic care, backed their claims with evidence, and demonstrated commitment to their authors and titles.

For a full list of ABIA 2026 categories and what you can enter, head to abiaawards.com.au.

And don’t forget the key deadlines:

Book categories close Wednesday 28 January 2026, and business categories close Wednesday 11 February 2026.

Mark your calendar early and give yourself the time to put your best foot forward. Good luck!: