• Young Territory Author Awards (YTAA) 2026 entries are open from Monday 16 March to Thursday 27 August 2026, with winners announced in November 2026. 

• Celebrating its 36th anniversary, the Territory-wide annual writing competition offers aspiring young authors up to the age of 18 to showcase their creativity. 

• Writing workshops will be held across Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs to help young writers develop their storytelling skills and bring their ideas to life. 

From fantastical worlds, stories of life in the Territory to pushing the boundaries of storytelling, young writers across the Northern Territory are being invited to turn their imagination into a published book.  

Entries for the City of Darwin’s Young Territory Author Awards (YTAA) 2026, a Territory-wide annual writing competition now in its 36th anniversary, are open from Monday 16 March.   

Launched by City of Darwin Libraries in 1991, YTAA, open to all Territorians aged 18 years or under, offers a unique opportunity to write and produce their own book, develop their creative writing skills and gain national recognition. 

City of Darwin facilitates the Young Territory Author Awards in collaboration with public libraries, councils, and schools across the Northern Territory, providing young authors with the opportunity to write and produce their own book, develop their skills and gain national recognition.  

The 2025 awards received a record-breaking 213 entries up from the 159 entries in 2024.  

The Overall winner in last year’s awards was Faye Yik, 14 years-old, with the book, ‘A Prince and a Princess Against the World’. Variety NT YTAA Runner Up was Marlah Scobie-Webb with the book Behind Hands That Hurt. The CBCA NT Branch WOW Award winner Esther Alice Manuel, with the book Darwin Delicious Delight, and the School Winner was Matisse Gotts & Bridget Wang from Milkwood Steiner with the book The Disaster. 

Writing workshops are also offered in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs to help young writers develop their storytelling skills and learn more about the creative writing process. 

Lord Mayor Peter Styles said City of Darwin is proud to support literacy and creativity among young people across the Northern Territory. 

“The Young Territory Author Awards give young Territorians the opportunity to turn their ideas into their own book and share their stories,” Mr Styles said. 

“This long-running program encourages young people to express themselves through writing and helps nurture the next generation of storytellers.” 

“We look forward to seeing the creativity and talent that emerges in the 2026 awards,” he said. 

Books can be submitted until Thursday 27 August 2026, with winners announced in November 2026.  

Submissions are accepted from individuals and schools across the Northern Territory: 

• The Young Territory Author of the year receives $500. 

• The Young Territory Author Awards Variety NT Runner-up Award $250. 

• The School Entry winner receives $500 for the school. 

• The Children’s Book Council NT Wow Award winner receives $200. 

• The Bookshop Darwin, Darwin Regional Award $100. 

• Regional area winners receive a $50 prize. 

• 16 to 18 Age Category winner receives a one-year subscription to Voiceworks Magazine 

• Rest of the Age Category winners receive $50 voucher for The Bookshop Darwin. 

• Highly Commended in each age category, receive a $30 voucher for The Bookshop Darwin. 

• Encouragement Awards in each age category, receive a $20 voucher for The Bookshop Darwin. 

For more information on categories and prizes, and to submit an entry, visit: Young Territory Author Awards | City of Darwin | Darwin Council, Northern Territory 

Header image: The Young Territory Author Awards (YTAA) 2025.