The Young Territory Author Awards are now open for 2025. The competition is in its 35th year of production.
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
Grab your pen and let your imagination run wild, it's time to create a winning book!
If you are entering a hard copy version of your book, click here YTAA entry form.
If you are entering a book online, click here YTAA online entry.
Promotional poster, click here YTAA promotional poster.
- Young Territory Author Awards Winners 2024
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2024 Overall Winner
Amy Devlin-Aylott
Book: CASTING OUT
“Set in a contemporary Darwin, Casting Out unfolds at a natural pace, supported by the author’s authentic voice. The story explores the changing tides of relationships and importance of connection at any age.”
School Winner
Milkwood Steiner
Book: THE WORLD OUTSIDE THE HOLLOW
“The World Outside the Hollow: in few words this beautifully illustrated book tells an affecting and relatable story of habitat loss in our own backyard.”
Children's Book Council of Australia NT Wow Award
James Cuff
Book: ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY
“This delightful book of poems is simply a joy to read. The simplicity and variety of styles reflect a love of language and a creative mind. A very worthy winner of the WOW Award.”
8 and under
Winner: Hirudini Bowala
Book: DANNY THE DRAGON
“Independently illustrated and written by this clever 6 year old, Danny the Dragon is a simple, cute and heartwarming story that reminds you that your close friends will always be there for you”
Highly Commended: Esther Manuel & Emmanuel Manuel
Book: NOW ITS YOUR TURN
Encouragement Award: Samuel Herejias
Book: A LAB TALE: UNTROUBLING THE TROUBLE
9 to 12
Winner: Liora Devlin-Aylott
Book: HONEY BEA
“Honey Bea is a sweet, well-researched, and joyfully illustrated picture book by 9 year old Liora. A unique story with a distinctly Darwin flavour, it follows an unexpected relationship between a thoughtful young girl and a furry buzzy friend. The author has clearly put LOTS of effort into her piece and as a reader it is pure delight.”
Highly Commended: Angela Koh
Book: SHADOW’S JOURNEY
Encouragement Award: Zac Trenfield
Book: THE WATER TOWER
13 to 15
Winner: Monte George
Book: SAND TO SKY
“This remarkable narrative follows plane-lover, Leo, as he achieves his greatest dream - becoming a pilot. The author's love of aviation shines throughout the story, one filled with engaging dialogue and adventure, and plenty of flying knowledge. Monte thoughtfully acknowledged his friends, family and teacher for supporting his work - even that part alone was wonderful to read!”
Highly Commended: Audrey Foster
Book: ILE DE BREHAT
Encouragement Award: Liadan M. Young
Book: KARMA
16 to 18
Winner: Chay Keating
Book: THE HOLLOW THREE
“In The Hallow Three the author expertly weaves together place, character and narrative, crafting a suspenseful tale that makes a strong bid for a place amongst the tradition of gothic fiction set in the Australian bush.”
Winner: Maya Purdon
Book: THIS ONYX OCCULT
“As a reader, we are not quite sure where or when this story is set, but the beautifully written prose and almost poetic language takes you on quite an adventure. The characters are carefully crafted, and the settings are well-described and evocative. The only disappointment with this well-written story is that we have to wait for the next in the series to continue the adventure. I hope we won’t have to wait too long!”
Highly Commended: Pak Chan
Book: CITY OF STRINGS
Regional Winners
Darwin: Joash Miles
Book: THE HUNGRY PANDA
Alice Springs: Pippa Frey
Book: THE MYSTERY OF THE HUGHES MANSION
Katherine: Casuarina Street School
Book: TRAVELLING THROUGH TIME
Litchfield: Maya Purdon
Book: THE ONYX OCCULT
Palmerston: Arslan Siddique
Book: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
East Arnhem: Evelyn Flynn
Book: UNDER OUR LAKE
Wagait: Chay Keating
Book: THE HOLLOW THREE
- Past Winners
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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
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