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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 winner of The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers, Elise Thornthwaite! 🎉 The Prize was established in memory of beloved #LoveOzYA author Steph Bowe, and honours her passion for fostering and mentoring emerging writers. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Congratulations Sarah Hunter, shortlisted for the 2026 Steph Bowe Prize! 🎉 Sarah (she/her) is an emerging writer from Meanjin/Brisbane. She has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Writing, and Screen and Media Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Arts majoring in Peace Studies.

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Congratulations Elise Thornthwaite, shortlisted for the 2026 Steph Bowe Prize! Elise is an Aboriginal writer and educator from regional NSW who currently lives and works in the Northern Territory, where her work informs her interest in stories about place, responsibility and transition. #LoveOzYA

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Congratulations to Alana Rae, who is shortlisted for the 2026 Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers 🎉 A journalist and speech pathology student from Aotearoa New Zealand, Alana now lives in Naarm Melbourne. She has written for magazines covering topics ranging from vaginismus to the VMAs. #LoveOzYA

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Announcing the shortlist for The 2026 Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers 🎉 Congratulations to Sarah Hunter, Alana Rae and Elise Thornthwaite! They each receive a professional development package worth $300. The winner will be announced on 15 May 2026 🌟 www.stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

The Steph Bowe Prize closes *tomorrow*, Sunday 15 March 2026. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm AEST. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning #LoveOzYA author, and a professional development package worth $300. Submit at stephboweprize.com

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Entries to The Steph Bowe Prize can now be submitted until 15 March 2026. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning #LoveOzYA author to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $300. Visit www.stephboweprize.com to enter!

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

The deadline for entries to The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers has been extended to 15 March 2026. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning #LoveOzYA author to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $300. www.stephboweprize.com

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

One week left to enter The Steph Bowe Prize! The winner will receive $1000 in prize money, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning #LoveOzYA author to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $300. The Prize closes 28 February 2026. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

For the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning #LoveOzYA author, and a professional development package worth $300, enter The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers! The Prize closes 28 February 2026. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Are you an Australian YA writer under 25? Enter The Steph Bowe Prize for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning #LoveOzYA author to develop your manuscript, and a professional development package worth $300! Entries close 28 February. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

The Steph Bowe Prize is now open! Unpublished Australian YA writers aged 18 to 25 can now enter for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with award-winning YA author Helena Fox and a professional development package worth $300. Enter at www.stephboweprize.com The Prize close 28 February.

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

The winner of the 2026 Steph Bowe Prize will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with award-winning #LoveOzYA author Helena Fox to develop their YA manuscript, and a professional development package worth $300. Visit www.stephboweprize.com for more information or click the link in the bio.

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

🌟 DID YOU KNOW? 🌟 The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers will be judged on a completed #LoveOzYA manuscript, a 1-page synopsis and a 500-word statement about how winning the Prize will further the entrant’s career. The Prize opens this Sunday, 1 February 2026. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Rebecca Lim is a judge for the 2026 Steph Bowe Prize. She’s the author of books including the CBCA award-winning ‘Tiger Daughter’ and #LoveOzYA novels ‘The Astrologer’s Daughter’ and ‘Mercy’. She is also co-editor of ‘Meet Me at the Intersection’, an #OwnVoices YA anthology. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Shirley Marr is a judge for the 2026 Steph Bowe Prize. She is a first-generation Chinese-Australian living in Perth and the author of many books including the CBCA award-winning ‘A Glasshouse of Stars’ and #LoveOzYA novels ‘Fury’ and ‘Preloved’. The Prize opens 1 February. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Helena Fox is an Australian author, poet and writing mentor. Her debut ‘How It Feels to Float’ won a Prime Minister’s Literary Award and a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award. Her second novel ‘The Quiet and the Loud’ won a NSW Premier’s Literary Award. The Prize opens 1 Feb. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Sadly, Steph Bowe passed away in 2020 from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She was 25. The manuscript of her posthumous YA novel, ‘Sunny at the End of the World’, was discovered on her computer by her family and published in 2025. The Steph Bowe Prize was created in her honour. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

‘All This Could End’ was longlisted for the Gold Inky Awards and ‘Night Swimming’ was a CBCA Notable Book and longlisted for a Davitt Award. Steph was a Schools Ambassador for The Stella Prize and awarded the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Fellowship. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

The Steph Bowe Prize was established in memory of beloved #LoveOzYA author Steph Bowe and honours her passion for fostering young emerging writers. Her debut novel, ‘Girl Saves Boy’, was published when she was 16. It was described by Rebecca Stead as ‘full of the absolute truth—life is complicated’.

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Thrilled to announce that The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers is back 💚 Designed to encourage and support an unpublished #LoveOzYA writer aged 18 to 25, the Prize honours Steph’s passion for fostering and mentoring emerging writers. The Prize opens 1 February. www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Elizabeth Bourke: “I'm currently obsessed with Emma Clancey's ‘This Dream Will Devour Us’. I love a story full of glamour and dangerous aristocracy. And I can't wait to sink my teeth into Sophie Gonzales's ‘Nobody in Particular’. A high school YA romance with bisexual representation? Sign me up!”

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Question: Do you have any words of wisdom for young writers? Elizabeth Bourke: “Write the story that only *you* can tell. That's where the magic and the heart and the sparkle and the delicious gooey parts of a story can be found.” www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Question: Why should young voices be amplified in YA? Lydia Schofield: “The world is not built for young people. Supporting us to share our stories gives us a chance to take big first steps into the publishing world. And it means kids coming up behind us have people to look to for support.”

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

We recently chatted with the inaugural winners of The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers 👏 Elizabeth Bourke: “The publishing world is so daunting for young writers, and opportunities like The Steph Bowe Prize gives the next generation of writers a chance to find our place.” www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Question: What is a recent #LoveOzYA novel you enjoyed? Lydia Schofield: “My Top 2 #LoveOzYA of the year are ‘Sonny and Tess’ by Nova Weetman for cute lower-YA romance and ‘Sunny at the End of the World’ by Steph Bowe herself for a hilarious, Australian-set zombie story.” www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Question: Why is it important that young voices in particular be amplified in regards to YA? Elizabeth Bourke: “Elevating young writers to represent young readers within YA lit is so important, because we can echo back the stuff that young readers are thinking and wondering (and worrying!) about.”

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

We recently sat down with the inaugural winners of The Steph Bowe Prize ✨ Lydia Schofield: “Winning the Prize has made a really big difference to the quality of my manuscript, my confidence as a writer, and my outlook on publishing. It’s made being published feel much more achievable and real!”

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

This week I’m celebrating the release of ‘Sunny at the End of the World’ 👏 What a gift, to have another story by Steph. It is every bit as funny, fierce and insightful as her. Sending love to Danielle and Rhiannon Bowe. Thank you for sharing this with us. www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sunny-...

A colour photograph of a white person’s hand holding up ‘Sunny at the End of the World’ by Steph Bowe against a backdrop of a bookshelf full of #LoveOzYA including Garth Nix and Isobelle Carmody.

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Happy publication to ‘Sunny at the End of the World’ 🎉 After the passing of beloved #LoveOzYA author Steph Bowe, her mother and sister discovered a manuscript on her computer. How lucky are we to have one last tale from such a talented storyteller? www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sunny-...

A colour photograph of a white person’s hand holding up ‘Sunny at the End of the World’ by Steph Bowe against a backdrop of green foliage.

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

‘The Maggie Problem’ is a contemporary YA that explores complexities of making friends, coming out and finding your people. Lydia Schofield (they/she) is a writer and artist from Melbourne Naarm. They write YA and MG that revolves around friendships, queer experiences, magic and sometimes spaceships

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

‘Solace’ is a sapphic scifi YA featuring androids, a future drowned Sydney and a search for answers that will change everything. Elizabeth Bourke (she/her) is a young writer living on unceded Dharawal land. Her writing tangles nature, technology and queerness.

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Congratulations to the inaugural winners of The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers, Elizabeth Bourke and Lydia Schofield! 🎉 Both winners will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship and a professional development package worth $200. stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

It’s the final day to enter The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers! Submit for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning YA author, and a professional development package. The Prize closes 11.59pm AEDT tonight, Saturday 15 February 2025. www.stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Today is the last day to enter The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers! Submit for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship, and a professional development package worth $200. The Prize closes at 11.59pm AEDT tonight, Saturday 15 February 2025. www.stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Unpublished Australian YA writers under 25 can now submit to The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers. The winner receives $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200! The Prize closes 15 February 2025. www.stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

The deadline for entries to The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers has been extended to 15 February 2025. Enter now for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning YA author, and a professional development package worth $200! www.stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Enter The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning YA author, and a professional development package worth $200! Closes 15 February 2025. stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

The deadline for entries to The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers has been extended to 15 February 2025. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200. www.stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Are you an Australian YA writer under 25? Enter The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers for the chance to win $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop your manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200! stephboweprize.com #LoveOzYA

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers is now open 🎉 Unpublished Australian YA writers under 25 can now submit. The winner will receive $1000, a 20-hour mentorship to develop their manuscript, and a professional development package worth $200. Visit www.stephboweprize.com to enter!

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Thrilled to launch The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers! Established in honour of beloved author Steph Bowe, the Prize is designed to support an unpublished Australian YA writer under 25. The winner receives $1000, a 20-hour mentorship and a professional development package www.stephboweprize.com

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The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers @stephboweprize.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

The Steph Bowe Prize for Young Writers is now open! Unpublished Australian YA writers under 25 can now enter. The winner receives $1000 in prize money, a 20-hour mentorship with an award-winning #LoveOzYA author, and a professional development package worth $200. www.stephboweprize.com

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Nicola Santilli @nicolasantilli.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

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