The critically acclaimed Bear by Kiri Lightfoot (Allen & Unwin NZ, Feb 2025) won the 2024 Storylines prize and It’s a Bit More Complicated Than That by Hannah Marshall (Allen & Unwin NZ, releasing in June 2025) won the Friends of Storylines Best Unpublished Writer award.

‘The judges’ unanimous choice of Kiri Lightfoot’s stunning debut novel Bear exemplifies the strength of New Zealand writing for young adults,’ says Tessa Duder. ‘I am hugely grateful to Allen & Unwin and Storylines for supporting this award which, since its inception in 2010, has showcased the talent of seven outstanding writers.’

Jenny Hellen, Publisher at Large at Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand, comments, ‘We were delighted with the quantity and quality of entries that we got last time, and thrilled to have discovered two excellent new YA voices in Kiri and Hannah. Kiri said that having the deadline of the competition was the impetus she needed to finally finish her manuscript and send it off. We hope to discover some more exciting new writers this time.’

As well as having their book chosen by Tessa Duder, and a panel of Storylines and Allen & Unwin judges, the winner is published by Allen & Unwin and receives $1,500. The award is open to all New Zealand writers and is made biennially to an author of unpublished work of fiction for young adults aged 13 and above. The award is also open to Graphic Novel manuscripts.

The closing deadline for the 2026 award is 31 October 2025.

Check further details of this prestigious biennial award and the former winners here:

https://www.storylines.org.nz/ award/storylines-tessa-duder- award/

To enter, visit:

https://www.storylines.org.nz/ awards/storylines-tessa-duder- award-entry-form/