Melissa Lucashenko is a Goorie (Aboriginal) author with Bundjalung and European heritage, renowned for her powerful storytelling and insightful exploration of contemporary Australian life. Since publishing her debut novel in 1997, Melissa has garnered widespread acclaim and received numerous prestigious literary awards. Her sixth novel, Too Much Lip, achieved remarkable success, winning the 2019 Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Queensland Premier’s Award for a work of State Significance. It was also shortlisted for multiple high-profile awards, including the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Fiction, the Stella Prize, and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.
In addition to her literary success, Melissa is a Walkley Award winner for her non-fiction work and a passionate advocate for human rights as a founding member of the organisation Sisters Inside. Her writing offers an unflinching look at the lives of ordinary Australians and the extraordinary journeys they navigate. Her novel Edenglassie further cemented her reputation, winning the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction, the Indie Book Award for Fiction, the BookPeople Adult Fiction Book of the Year, and the Queensland Premier’s Award for a work of State Significance.
With a unique voice that blends personal heritage and national issues, Melissa Lucashenko continues to captivate readers with her profound and evocative narratives.
