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Young Writers Award past winners
Since 1998, the Young Writers Award has recognised and celebrated a diversity of young and exciting Queensland voices. The competition helps young authors launch their literary careers, with many winners and finalists going on to publish books and win major national prizes
Previous winners and runners up
- Shastra Deo, ALS Gold Medallist and author of the poetry collections The Agonist (UQP) and The Exclusion Zone (UQP).
- Rebecca Jessen, the multi-award winning poet and author of Ask Me About the Future (UQP) and Gap (UQP).
- Chris Somerville, author of the short story collection We Are Not the Same Anymore (UQP).
- Tara June Winch, author of two short story collections Swallow the Air (UQP) and After the Carnage (UQP), and the novel The Yield (Penguin Random House).
- Christopher Currie, author of the YA novel Clancy of the Undertow (Text) and Commonwealth Book Prize finalist The Ottoman Motel (Text).
- Benjamin Law, multi-disciplinary author, screenwriter and journalist. Ben’s books include The Family Law (Black Inc.), Gaysia (Black Inc.) and Law School (Brow Books).
- Megan McGrath, author of the short story collection All Hands (Spineless Wonders).
- Romy Ash, author of Floundering (Text).
Past winners
'Dog House' by Grace Hammond - published by Griffith Review.
'Feed it to the dog' by Ash Shirvington
'Candles' by Svetlana Sterlin
'Propagation' by Constance Allan
Once/Now by Callum Brockett, published by Griffith Review
Back Burning by Ellie Kaddatz
Six by Sasha Vucicevic
The Sea Behind My Eyelids by Maxwell Freedman
Sun Queens by Ellen Vickerman, published by Griffith Review
Friday by Zarin Nuzhat
Precious Cargo by Ellie Kaddatz
Halcyon by Eden Annesley
Unit K13 by Ellen Vickerman, published by Griffith Review
Dogs by Thomas Alan
Bunya Pine by Callum Brockett
This is not a happy story by Emily Humphreys
Paper Lands by Winner Tristan Hurree, published by Griffith Review
Teacups by Runner up Zarin Nuzhat
From 2001 to 2011 the Maureen Donahoe Encouragement Award was given in memory of the late Maureen Donahoe, a promising young writer who was the first runner up in the Young Writers Award 1998.