The WA Government has announced the 2008 and 2009 shortlists for the revamped Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. We were thrilled to be notified that three Text titles had been chosen on the shortlists.

The 2008 shortlist features Kate Grenville’s The Lieutenant and Helen Garner’s The Spare Room. Both these best-selling novels are vying for the Fiction Award.

Lia Hills' wonderful debut novel exploring a teenage boy’s philosophical journey to cope with his mother’s death, The Beginner’s Guide to Living, is shortlisted for the 2009 Young Adult Award.

Congratulations to Kate, Helen and Lia. We will be barracking for you come the announcement of the winners on Wednesday, 1 September.