This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1974.
For an overview of world literature see 1974 in literature.
See also: 1973 in Australian literature, 1974 in Australia, 1975 in Australian literature.
The Patrick White Award is presented for the first time. White used his 1973 Nobel Prize in Literature award to establish a trust for this prize.James Aldridge – Mockery in ArmsJon Cleary – Peter's PenceCatherine Gaskin – The Property of a GentlemanDavid Ireland – BurnThomas Keneally – Blood Red, Sister RoseColleen McCullough – TimRonald McKie – The Mango TreeGerald Murnane – Tamarisk RowMorris West – HarlequinPeter Carey – The Fat Man in HistoryFrank Moorhouse – The Electrical Experience : A Discontinuous NarrativePatrick White – The Cockatoos : Shorter Novels and StoriesScience Fiction and Fantasy
A. Bertram Chandler – The Bitter PillCherry Wilder – "The Ark of James Carlyle"Children's and Young Adult fiction
James Aldridge – The Marvellous MongolianMavis Thorpe Clark – The Sky is FreeRuth Park – Callie's CastleJoan Phipson – Helping HorseColin ThieleAlbatross TwoMagpie IslandBruce Beaver – Lauds and Plaints : Poems (1968-1972)Robert Gray – Creekwater JournalClive James – Peregrine Prykke's Pilgrimage Through the London Literary World : A Tragedy in Heroic CoupletsJennifer Maiden – TacticsDavid Malouf – Neighbours in a Thicket : PoemsLes Murray – Lunch and Counter LunchLouis Nowra – The Death of Joe OrtonDavid Williamson – The DepartmentIvan Southall – Fly WestA list, ordered by date of birth (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of births in 1974 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of death.
Unknown date
Matthew Reilly, authorShaun Tan, Artist and authorA list, ordered by date of death (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of deaths in 1974 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of birth.
7 January – Nan McDonald, writer for children (born 1921)June – Eve Langley, novelist (born 1908) 