Victor Harbor author Adriel Booker has been shortlisted for one of Australia's longest-running literary honours for Christian authors, bringing national recognition to a writer based in the Fleurieu region.

Booker's book, Tethered to Hope, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year award. The recognition places the Victor Harbor writer among authors being considered for one of Australia's established awards celebrating Christian literature.

Booker is a writer, speaker and local business owner who has continued her creative work while building connections within the Victor Harbor community. The local newspaper's report notes that she completed her second book before starting her new business, Found Coffee House and Vintage Shop.

The shortlist represents an important milestone for the author because it brings her work to the attention of a national literary audience.

Tethered to Hope explores themes associated with hope and faith, and its selection for the award recognises the book among the works being considered in the 2026 competition.

Booker's connection to Victor Harbor also gives the announcement a strong local dimension. The Fleurieu region has a growing creative community, with writers, artists, photographers and other creative professionals contributing to the area's cultural identity.

The national shortlist provides an opportunity for a regional South Australian author to receive recognition beyond the local community.

Being shortlisted does not necessarily mean the book has won the award. The shortlist represents the stage of the competition in which selected books are considered for the final honour.

The winner of the award is expected to be announced at the 2026 Spark Lit Awards Night on 20 August, where Booker is also scheduled to appear.

The award event will provide an opportunity for shortlisted authors and the wider Christian publishing community to celebrate the year's recognised books and writers.

For Victor Harbor, Booker's nomination provides a positive local arts story and highlights the creative work being produced in regional South Australia.

The recognition also demonstrates how regional writers can reach national audiences through publishing and literary awards.

Booker's achievement comes alongside her involvement in the local community and her work through Found Coffee House and Vintage Shop, giving her creative career a connection to both writing and local business.

The shortlist announcement is particularly significant because it recognises a writer based outside Australia's major capital-city publishing centres.

The result of the award will determine whether Tethered to Hope receives the overall 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year honour.

Until then, being included on the national shortlist represents a significant achievement for Booker and provides Victor Harbor with a locally connected finalist in a national literary award.