14/05/2026
Our heartfelt and hope filled congratulations to Lee Lai on being awarded the 2026 Stella Prize for her graphic novel, Cannon.
From the judges:
“Cannon is a compelling depiction of a fracturing friendship between two q***r, second-generation Chinese women. It is also a bruising examination of the lifelong weight that people – often women – carry, the profound toll it takes to be the ‘responsible one’, and what can happen when you are being taken advantage of repeatedly. (Bonus: it is also, somehow, very funny.) Lai’s elegant artistry evokes horror and poignancy, shock and delight, and Cannon is an incontestable reminder that – in the hands of a masterful artist and storyteller – the very best graphic novels can do what prose alone cannot. And Cannon is absolutely one of the best.”
The Stella team does such an incredible job championing the voices of women and gender-diverse writers, making this win feel all the more special. Lai is both the first graphic novelist and the first non-binary author to receive this illustrious prize.
We can hardly contain our excitement and are thrilled to once again be hosting a Stella Day Out in Aireys this November, with the Stella team presenting a one-day workshop and events program.
Watch this space for more details to come.
