Cypriot Australian poet, writer and performer Koraly Dimitriadis has been named a finalist in the short story category of the American Book Fest Awards in Los Angeles for her debut fiction collection, “The Mother Must Die,” The Greek Herald reported.
Published by Puncher & Wattmann in late 2024, the collection features 15 short stories exploring migrant and diaspora experiences in Australia through the perspectives of women, men and children.
The book was launched internationally in 2025, including in Cyprus, Greece and Berlin as part of Rage Con, with support from Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Culture. In Cyprus, it was launched by Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner Constantia Soteriou and award-winning short story writer Erini Loucaides.
Dimitriadis said the international recognition was particularly significant as she seeks to establish herself in fiction alongside the poetry for which she is widely known.
“I’m very pleased about my fiction being acknowledged in an international competition. Many people don’t know but fiction is my passion and it is the thing I most want to do,” she said.
