The shortlists for the Ned Kelly Awards, recognising Australian crime writing, have been announced.

The Ned Kelly awards are one of the most prestigious awards in Australia for crime writing. The winners have been announced at the Melbourne Writers Festival since 2000 - and will be again this year on August 29 at an event at The Toff in Town. Tickets and more info here.

Congratulations to all the authors shortlisted this year.

Best Fiction

• The Life by Malcolm Knox
• Chelsea Mansions by Barry Maitland
• Pig Boy by J C Burke

Best First Fiction

• The Courier’s New Bicycle by Kim Westwood
• The Cartographer by Peter Twohig
• When We Have Wings by Claire Corbett

True Crime

• Cold Case File by Liz Porter
• Call Me Cruel by Michael Duffy
• Sins of the Father by Eamonn Duff

The shortlist for the SD Harvey Short Story prize is still to be announced. You can read more about the awards here.