It's taken 13 books and more than four decades but author Gerald Murnane has finally been selected as a contender for Australia's most prestigious literary prize.
Murnane, 79, joins literary stars Peter Carey and Kim Scott on the longlist for the this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award.
Murnane, who was recently described by the New York Times as possibly "the greatest living English-language writer most people have never heard of", made the longlist along with 10 other writers.
His novel Border Districts will go head to head with offerings from former winners including Carey and Scott, as well as Michelle de Krester.
It's the first time Murnane has been selected as a contender for the Miles Franklin despite having published 13 books since 1974, many of which have won acclaim overseas.
"The longlist for the Miles Franklin Literary Award 2018 spans many genres of the novel: historical, fantastical, realist, satirical, allegorical, and autobiographical," said Richard Neville, who heads the award's judging panel.
"The authors named on this year's longlist represent some of Australia's most talented and provocative novelists."
The shortlisted finalists will be announced on June 17, with the winner revealed on August 26.
2018 MILES FRANKLIN LITERARY AWARD SHORTLIST
* Peter Carey, A Long Way From Home
* Felicity Castagna, No More Boats
* Michelle de Krester, The Life to Come
* Lia Hills, The Crying Place
* Eva Hornung, The Last Garden
* Wayne Macauley, Some Tests
* Catherine McKinnon, Storyland
* Gerald Murnane, Border Districts
* Jane Rawson, From the Wreck
* Michael Sala, The Restorer
* Kim Scott, Taboo
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