Tozer, Rowell win 2015 Inky Awards
The winners of the 2015 Inky Awards, presented by the Centre for Youth Literature, were announced at the State Library of Victoria on 13 October.
Gabrielle Tozer won the Gold Inky Award, presented to an Australian book, for her debut YA novel The Intern (HarperCollins). She also received a cash prize of $2000.
US author Rainbow Rowell won the Silver Inky Award, presented to an international book, for Fangirl (Macmillan).
Readers aged between 12 and 20 voted online for the winners from shortlists chosen by a panel of teenage judges. To read our interview with this year’s judges, click here.
Tozer said in a statement: ‘Being included in such a talented line-up of hardworking Australian authors is easily the greatest, most unexpected moment of my writing career so far. It’s a privilege to write for—and about—young adults, so to win the Gold Inky Award and be recognised by these passionate readers of YA literature is an honour.’
Centre for Youth Literature manager Anna Burkey noted that ‘both Inky Award winners are female authors and both books are stories about young women with a passion for writing’. ‘This reflects how good books can resonate with teens regardless of gender,’ she said.
The Inky Awards were founded by the State Library’s Centre for Youth Literature in 2007 to recognise local and international fiction, poetry, anthologies and graphic novels written for young adults.
To the celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Inky Awards next year, the Centre for Youth Literature will establish an ambassador schools program with student committees elected to run shadow events to promote the Inky Awards and reading. Schools can register their interest here.
For more information about the Inky Awards, visit the Inside a Dog website here.
Category: Local news
