The Young Territory Author Awards (YTAA) are an annual writing competition where entrants write and produce their own book. The Awards aim to inspire children and young people in the NT to explore their ideas and turn them into stories. The competition is open to all Territorians 18 years and under and is organised in association with other public libraries and schools throughout the Northern Territory. Entries close 27 August 2025 and the winners will be announced at a presentation in Darwin in November 2025.

There are lots of prizes to be won: 

The Young Territory Author of the year receives $500.
The Variety NT Runner-up award winner will receive $250.
The School Entry winner receives $500 for the school.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia NT Branch WOW award, winner will receive $200.
Regional area winners receive a $50 prize. 
Age Category winners receive $50 book voucher.
Highly Commended in each age category receive a $30 book voucher.
Encouragement Awards in each age category receive a $20 book voucher.

Entries are considered in all categories they are eligible for. The categories include:

• 8 years and under - all single entries in this age bracket are eligible
• 9-12 years - all single entries in this age bracket are eligible
• 13-15 years - all single entries in this age bracket are eligible
• 16-18 years - all single entries in this age bracket are eligible
• Regional areas - all entries received (school and single) in an NT region are eligible
• School Entries - all entries received from schools are eligible
• CBCA of Australia N.T. WOW award – all single entries are eligible
• Young Territory Author of the year - all single entries are eligible

Exciting news! We received a fantastic 212 entries in this year’s Young Territory Author Awards! That’s a 33% increase from last year’s 159 submissions—an incredible way to celebrate 35 years of championing young creative voices across the Territory.

Our Libraries team is now preparing the entries for judging. Over the coming months, our panel will be reading and reviewing every story before announcing the winners at the Awards Ceremony in November.

A huge thank you to all the talented young authors who shared their creativity with us!

YTAA Judges 2025

Lyrella Couzens

Lyrella is the Northern Territory weekend presenter for ABC Local Radio. She loves reading, listening to new music on Triple J and hanging out in her garden.

Ifa Shiddiq

Ifa is an emerging artist and illustrator who is regularly engaged in the youth arts community and has recently self-published her debut comic, Zest for Life, funded by Arts NT.

Jemima Fernades

Jemima Fernandes is a Policy Officer in the Northern Territory Government’s Office of Youth Affairs, where she leads youth engagement initiatives and ensures government policy reflects the voices of young people. With a background in law, governance, and the arts, she brings a unique mix of policy expertise, cultural insight, and creative leadership to her work and community roles. 

Barry Jonsberg

Barry Jonsberg is an Australian author and teacher who was born in Liverpool, England. Barry Jonsberg has won numerous awards for his books, both nationally and internationally. He has been published in twenty countries and translated into many languages. In 2019 his bestselling novel, My Life As An Alphabet, was made into an award-winning film, H is For Happiness, released throughout the world to great critical acclaim.

Winners

Young Territory Author Awards Winners 2025

2025 Overall Winner

Faye Yik

Book: A PRINCE AND A PRINCESS AGAINST THE WORLD

“Faye, your novel A Prince and a Princess Against the World is absolutely next-level. The world-building is so intricate, we felt like we could step right into it, and maybe even get lost within! You made us genuinely care about the characters; We wanted to protect them. It’s ambitious, bold, and beautifully written. We kept wondering how you managed to weave all those threads together so seamlessly. You’ve created something truly special."

Variety NT YTAA Runner Up Award

Marlah Scobie-Webb

Book: BEHIND HANDS THAT HURT

“Marlah, your story Behind Hands That Hurt drew us in from the very first page, it’s incredibly engaging, and we couldn’t put it down! You’ve crafted a narrative that keeps the reader hooked, with imagination and emotion woven through every line. It’s beautifully expressed and thoughtfully written. Truly, a powerful piece of work, well done!"

School Winner

Milkwood Steiner

Matisse Gotts & Bridget Wang

Book: THE DISASTER

“What an amazing NT tale, and you’ve even included a croc! The artwork was fantastic, and together with the words, it really brought the story to life. Matisse and Bridget, you’ve beautifully captured the spirit of the Northern Territory. The characters, Anna and James, and their adventures felt so believable, and the message about being croc-wise is such an important one for us here in the Territory. Congratulations on your book The Disaster! You’ve done a fantastic job!”

Children's Book Council of Australia NT Wow Award

Esther Alice Manuel

Book: DARWIN DELICIOUS DELIGHT

“Oh my gosh – what a cracker!! Darwin Delicious Delight is exactly as the title suggests – a rollicking slimy green and yet tasteful lick of life here in Darwin.  Well done to you Esther – your descriptions were a recipe of juicy delight – and if the rest of you are scratching your heads wondering why the WOW – you will have to head into the Library to find out how Esther told a yummy story using food and friends to make you laugh and also make you hungry – well done Esther – We loved it.”

8 and under

Winner: Okith Sejan Gunawardana

Book: THE AMAZING ROCKET SHIP ADVENTURE...

“Okith, your book took us on a journey to the stars and back, such a beautiful reminder of how important it is to feel connected to our galaxy. We absolutely loved the pictures and the imagination you brought to this story. It’s wonderful to dream and travel through those dreams. Well done on your intergalactic book “My Amazing Rocket Ship Adventure…” a truly stellar creation!”

Highly Commended: Sebastian and Nicoletta Thorbjornsen

Book: STRAW-BOY AND SEBASTIAN'S BACK-YARD ADVENTURE!

Encouragement Award: Angela Oriowo

Book: WHISKERS OF DOOM

9 to 12

Winner: Saanvi Roopan

Book: I CAN HEAR YOU: A SUSPENSE DIARY

“Saanvi, your clever diary-format mystery was absolutely thrilling! With an unforgettable main character, cryptic notes, fries, and just the right amount of chaos, you’ve created a story that’s witty, wild, and impossible to put down. Well done!”

Highly Commended: Thanigaiyan Kugappiriyan

Book: I'M NOT FAST ENOUGH YET BUT I WILL BE...

Encouragement Award: Harvey Sciglitano

Book: BOOMERANG FOOD!

13 to 15

Winner: Aiden Hoult

Book: BENEATH THE SURFACE

“Aiden – we may never wet a line again – What we loved about your story was that you immersed us into the mangroves, the bity midges, the mystery sounds and scary possibility of what lies beneath … We loved this story as well bc at one point we forgot to breathe and then we were gasping for air. Great work Aiden.”

Highly Commended: Amy Devlin-Aylott

Book: CHASING SHADOWS

Encouragement Award: Zaeem Jahan

Book: SHOOTING STAR

16 to 18

Winner: Sarina Quadri

Book: WHO STOLE THE THESIS

“Sarina, your book Who Stole the Thesis is such a clever and captivating read! From the very first chapter, we were hooked, trying to piece together the mystery right alongside your characters. You’ve created a story that’s not only engaging but also brilliantly imagined and expressed. It’s sharp, funny, and full of intrigue. Honestly, we couldn’t stop turning the pages. Amazing work!”

Highly Commended: Zoe Jo Francis

Book: SIX O'CLOCK UPDATES

Encouragement Award: Sylvia Harkin

Book: PAWS

Regional Winners

The Bookshop Darwin Darwin Regional Award

Winner: Angela Koh

Book: A WORLD WITHOUT IMAGINATION

“Angela I think your story – a world without imagination was really the feeling of anxiety every single teenager in the WORLD would feel if suddenly there was no internet.  The endless possibilities of just how devastating that is for people who have never experienced life without the internet – you nailed it – the positive of course is what happens next  ..  ah …. What would happen next all you young people with your eyes almost falling out of your head right now  …  very imaginative Angela – and we loved your drawings too.”

Alice Springs: Emma Chicatun

Book: THE LETTER K

Katherine: Lara Venter

Book: THE UGLY TOAD AND THE SPIKY ECHIDNA

Litchfield: Sebastian and Nicoletta Thorbjornsen

Book: STRAW-BOY AND SEBASTIAN'S BACK-YARD ADVENTURE!

Palmerston: Saanvi Shapkota

Book: THE DAY I BROUGHT MY LITTLE BROTHER HOME

East Arnhem: Cassidy Boja

Book: ONE DAY

Past Winners

Megan Jacobson - 1992 Young Territory Author winner

Sasha Beekman - Young Territory Author Awards -16 to 18 Age Category winner 2012 & 2013

Previous Young Territory Authors of the Year

2024 Amy Devlin-Aylott
2023 Liora Devlin-Aylott
2022 Freya Galati
2021 Rowan McGrath
2020 Rachel De Kock
2019 Jethro Pollock
2018 Tiger-Lily Clements
2017 Jessica Phelan
2016 Alice Cotter
2015 Sascha Duffy
2014 Irini Melas
2013 Yasna Delo
2012 Shayla Moses
2011 Ella Hardiman & Tjina Stoll
2010 Isabella Hope Tester
2009 Timothy Hansen
2008 Rosanna Cameron
2007 Sophie Philip
2006 Dean Holzwart
2005 Karina Brabham
2004 Lauren Crabbe
2003 Erin Pearce
2002 Amanda Deacon and Penny Cameron
2001 Penny Cameron
2000 Guy Spielman
1999 Jessica Rose
1998 Melanie Robinson
1997 Karen Bryce
1996 David Palmer
1995 Yvonne Medel
1994 Aaron Tucker
1993 Aaron Tucker
1992 Megan Jacobson
1991 Arvin Roach

See why these entries were winners - check them out on Libby!

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