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Young Writers Award
2025 winner announced!
State Library of Queensland is delighted to announce that this year’s winner is Sam Quyên Huỳnh, aged 21, for their story "Offerings".
Sam will be awarded $2,000 in prize money from State Library, and publication in WQ magazine, thanks to our publishing partner Queensland Writers Centre.
Congratulations, Sam!
Winner: "Offerings" by Sam Quyên Huỳnh
Sam's brilliant story about one sister's journey to her hometown in Việt Nam will be published in the September edition of WQ magazine.
Read an excerpt of "Offerings" here.
Sam Quyên Huỳnh is a Vietnamese-diaspora settler, born and raised on Jagera and Turrbal lands. They are a writer and artist, and will soon hold a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Writing, and Gender Studies. They were commissioned by Red Room Poetry in 2023 and share their writing and art in the local grassroots art scene. They're currently working on an autofictional novella about misrecognition in love.
Sam Quyên Huỳnh
First runner up: "Lamb" by Tali Lum Wan
Tali Lum Wan is a young Chinese-Malay-Australian, writing on Turrbal and Jagera country. Tali completed her writing studies at the University of Queensland in 2022, and has since had works spanning poetry, creative non-fiction, and short fiction published in Voiceworks and Sour Cherry Mag. More of Tali’s work is published on her substack, Whisper Carriage.
Tali Lum Wan
Second runner up: "Fair and Lovely" by Hasara Ekanayake
Hasara was born in Sri Lanka, and moved to Brisbane with her family in 2008. Hasara has always been an avid reader and writer, incredibly lucky to grow up connected to her heritage – thanks to her parents, who prioritised community, traditions and cultural storytelling. Her identity has been shaped by this experience of growing up in-between cultures. It’s a reality shared by many Australians, but one that is often missing, or misrepresented, in popular culture. Hasara has always hoped that her writing can create an honest, relatable and compassionate space for those who exist in that same in-between.
Hasara Ekanayake
Third runner up: "Cleaning Up, Dragging Under" by Iris Monod
Iris grew up by the bay in the Redlands and in the Gold Coast Hinterlands. She is currently studying communications at the University of Queensland. Iris was highly commended in this award last year, and is currently working on more short stories for competitions and writing her novel.
Iris Monod
Congratulations to Tali, Hasara and Iris, this year's outstanding runners-up. They will each receive $500 and free membership with Queensland Writers Centre.
In addition, the judges acknowledged five highly commended writers:
Highly commended: "How the Light Sits" by Eve Tramacchi O'Keeffe
Highly commended: "Roses" by Sana J Shah
Highly commended: "A Story of Two People" by Becca Wang
Highly commended: "Swallowing Stolen Time" by Lillian White
Highly commended: "Orange Folders" by Luke Gavin
Congratulations to Eve, Sana, Becca, Lillian and Luke on their highly commended entries.
Judges' comments
"This year the judges were pulled more strongly towards clear-eyed storytelling with engaging characters who, in their frictions, caused emotional resonance on the page. Each of our top entries shows off the promise of our next generation of storytellers across an impressive range of literary techniques and diverse voices."
Thank you to Siang Lu (Chair), Jarad Bruinstroop and Allanah Hunt for judging. Learn more about our judges here.
Thank you to all who entered their work in the 2025 Young Writers Award.
Keep an eye out in 2026 when State Library will proudly run the Young Writers Award again. Till then, happy writing!
About the Award
Since 1998, the Young Writers Award has recognised and celebrated a diversity of young and exciting Queensland voices. The award is an amazing opportunity for young writers all over Queensland to showcase works of short fiction, make long-lasting industry connections, and achieve publication.
Entry is open for short stories by any young Queensland writer aged between 18-25.
- First prize is $2,000 and publication in WQ Magazine
- Up to three runners-up will each receive $500 and QWC membership.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the Young Writers Award, email us at storiesideas@slq.qld.gov.au
