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Young Writers Award

2023 Winner Announced!

State Library of Queensland is delighted to announce that this year’s winner is Grace Hammond, 24, from East Brisbane. Grace will work with Griffith Review to edit and publish their winning story, 'Dog House'. They will also be awarded the $2,000 prize money, and a membership to Queensland Writers Centre.

WINNER - 'Dog House' by Grace Hammond

Griffith Review will work with Grace to publish ‘Dog House’, but you can read an exclusive excerpt here. 

First runner up - 'Feed it to the dog' by Ash Shirvington

Second runner up - 'Candles' by Svetlana Sterlin

Third runner up - 'Propagation' by Constance Allan

Congratulations to Ash, Svetlana, and Constance, the Runner's Up for Young Writers Award 2023. They will each receive $500 and a membership to Queensland Writers Centre. 

In addition, judges acknowledged five highly commended writers:

HIGHLY COMMENDED - 'The Best of Times' by Ulric Nieminen

HIGHLY COMMENDED - 'Raised Amongst the Spinifex' by Madlyn Grant

HIGHLY COMMENDED - 'Dolorosa and the Saint' by Pancho Symes

HIGHLY COMMENDED - 'Until You Are Warm and Dead' by Mitchell Grant

HIGHLY COMMENDED - 'Lantana' by Emily Winter
 

Congratulations to Ulric, Madlyn, Pancho, Mitchell and Emily, for their highly commended entries.

Judges' Comments

"The stories fielded in this year’s Young Writers Award proved yet again to be full of striking talent and ambitious imagination. The judges were consistently surprised by both the degree of literary skill on display and widely ranging subject matter that the writers chose to explore. Deciding finalists from this year’s enormous cohort was no easy task, with no two authors were alike, other than in the strength of their voices and the uncompromising vision of their stories".

Find out more about the judging panel and process here.

Thank you to all who entered their work in the Young Writers Award 2023. 

The calibre of work being produced by Queensland's young writers improves every year, and is testament to the strength of emerging talent across the state.

Please keep writing - State Library will run the Young Writers Award again in 2024 and we look forward to reading your stories!

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 Griffith Review
  • Up to three runners-up will each receive $500.
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Contact Us

If you have any questions about the Young Writers Award, email us at ReadingWriting@slq.qld.gov.au