Our Young Pen Pals
CALLING ALL YOUNG Territory wordsmiths – applications are now open for the 2024 Young Territory Author Awards!
By Tierney White
Kicked off by city of Darwin Libraries in 1991, the Awards invite young people to flex their creativity in the written word, with a bunch of cash prizes up for grabs.
Categories include School Entry, CBCA NT Wow, Regional Area, Age Category, Highly Commended, Encouragement Award, Category Winner, and the overall Young Territory Author of the Year.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis says he’s keen to see what this year’s cohort brings to the reading table.
“In the past, we have been immensely impressed with the quality and creativity of the entries received, from children as young as eight-years-old right up to young adults between 16 and 18-years-old, who produced engaging and comprehensive pieces of writing … I’m looking forward to seeing the range of entries we receive this year.”
Liora Devlin-Aylott took out the top prize last year after penning her winning entry, Roots to The Heart, at the age of just nine. She says it’s given her the confidence to keep it up.
“I was very happy, and completely stunned, like I was having the most amazing dream. I have always enjoyed writing, whether stories, cards or poems, and will most likely continue to write for fun in the future”
The 2023 winner encourages other young people to submit their entries to the Awards.
“If you enjoy writing, Young Territory Author Awards support you to write a whole book, and get it done.”
Young Territory Author Awards
WHEN TUE 27 AUG | ENTRIES CLOSE
INFO darwin.nt.gov.au/ytaa
