Young Writers Invited to be Part of the Young Territory Author Awards
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In 2020 City of Darwin Libraries is celebrating 30 years of presenting the annual Young Territory Author Awards, (YTAA) a writing competition that inspires children of all ages to unlock their imagination by writing and producing their own book.
Over the past 30 years YTAA has showcased the creativity of young people and provided an opportunity to develop writing skills and have their work recognised at a national level.
The YTAA is open to all Northern Territory residents under 18 years of age, with the competition divided into four age categories; 8 and under, 9-12, 13-16, and 16-18. There are also categories for Regional and School entries, with the Young Territory Author of the Year chosen from across all categories.
Entries close on Friday 28 August 2020 with winners announced in late October.
The Overall YTAA and School entry winners will receive a generous cash prize of $500, Regional Area and Age Category winners $50, with prizes for Highly Commended and Encouragement. In 2020 a new category has been introduced the Children’s Book Council of Australia NT Wow Award, with the winner showing the most creativity to receive $200.
“City of Darwin Libraries encourage a love of reading from a very young age, through our various library programs,” said Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis “and the annual YTAA provides a wonderful opportunity to young people to build on this by writing their own stories.”
Former YTAA entrant Sasha Beekman, author of “When You’re Going to the Moon”, a collaboration with Vivienne To, said “YTAA was the first step on my path to becoming a published author, something I have always wanted to be. I hope the 2020 Awards are the first step for many other young writers out there.”
As part of City of Darwin’s return to a new normal post COVID-19, submissions to the Young Territory Author Awards will be accepted both online and as a hard copy.
All entries will be included in the Young Territory Author Awards collection housed at Casuarina Library. Previous entries can also be viewed and borrowed by the public.
For more information visit: www.darwin.nt.gov.au/ytaa