The Australian Shadows Award is an annual literary prize that recognizes outstanding works in the genre of horror fiction by Australian authors. Established in 2004, the award aims to promote and celebrate the contributions of Australian writers to the horror genre, encouraging creativity and innovation. The award is presented by the Australian Horror Writers Association and includes various categories, such as best novel, best short story, and best collection. Winners are selected based on the quality of their writing and the impact of their stories, highlighting the diverse talent within Australia's horror literature scene.