Cannon by Lee Lai becomes first graphic novel to win the Stella Prize
Lee Lai's debut graphic novel, Stone Fruit, was longlisted for the Stella Prize in 2022. Four years on, she's won the prestigious award for her latest book, Cannon.
www.abc.net.auThe latest notable news about Lee Lai is that her graphic novel Cannon won the 2026 Stella Prize on May 13, 2026, becoming the first graphic novel ever to receive the award. It also made her the first trans and non-binary person to win the Stella Prize.[5][6]
What’s new
- Cannon was released in 2025 and has continued to get major recognition in 2026. It was shortlisted for the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards and the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction.[1][6][5]
- Coverage from interviews in late 2025 says Lai was working on several projects and planned to take a break from long-form work to focus on shorter pieces.[2]
- Her public profile still centers on her life as an Australian cartoonist based in Montreal, where she has lived since 2016.[4][9][1]
Why it matters
This win is a significant literary milestone because it is the first time a graphic novel has won the Stella Prize in the award’s 14-year history. It also adds to the acclaim already surrounding Lai’s earlier book, Stone Fruit.[6][1][4][5]
Would you like a short bio of Lee Lai or a list of her recent awards and publications?