Australia's Helen Garner Wins UK's £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize in Nonfiction
Helen Garner's win marks the first time a diary has received the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize. Her work offers
“a fascinating insight into the creative reality of a writer’s life.”
Announcement and Ceremony
Helen Garner, based in Australia, was informed of her Baillie Gifford Prize victory during the London ceremony held on November 4.
About the Baillie Gifford Prize
With a £50,000 (US$65,133) award for the winner, the Baillie Gifford Prize stands out as one of the most lucrative nonfiction prizes focused on socially relevant topics. The prize emphasizes culturally accessible works that are meaningful, readable, and timely. This approach resembles that of Canada’s Cundill History Prize, which awards US$75,000.
In addition to the main prize, each of the five other shortlisted authors receives £5,000 (US$6,714), making the total prize fund £75,000 (US$100,710).
Related Prize Announcements
- Canada’s $75,000 Cundill History Prize 2025 finalists
- The £30,000 FT Schroders Business Book 2025 shortlist
- The £50,000 Booker Prize for Fiction 2025 shortlist
- The British Audio Awards’ first shortlists with winners in November
- The €25,000 German Book Prize 2025 shortlist
Helen Garner's recognition highlights the unique power of personal diaries to illuminate the complexities of a writer's life.