The literary contest of novels for youth

The literary contest of novels for youth is a writing contest that selects, rewards and publishes Maltese novels written for young adolescent readers between 13 and 15 years. The literary contest of novels for youth is a joint collaboration of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the National Book Council.

The results of the 2020 edition were announced last Tuesday during an award ceremony presided by the Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing Julia Farrugia Portelli and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Clifton Grima, and held at the Aġenzija Żgħażagħ Youth Village in Sta Venera. As the winner of the 2020 Contest, author Marlon Chircop was awarded a €1,000 cash prize. Moreover, a €2,000 subsidy towards the publication of the winning manuscript Mitt elf isem ieħor will be offered to the author following the signing of a publication agreement with a local publisher of his choice.

During their speech, the organisers pointed out they aspire at promoting excellence by awarding works of a high literary content. Additional rationales behind this competition include raising awareness about youth literature and for authors to submit original novels for youth which are innovative and non-didactic or moralising in nature. As a result, young people will benefit from an increase in the available number of books targeted for their age group, which will stimulate them to embark on new and exciting reading experiences.

The National Book Council thanked the 2020 contest independent board of adjudicators Dr Josette Attard, John A. Bonello

and Kevin Saliba for their work. They selected the winning entry out of six entries submitted according to a set of established criteria: development of plot and characters, originality, language and quality.

During the press conference, which followed the award ceremony, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the National Book Council officially renewed their collaboration and launched this year’s edition. Authors are thus being invited to submit their original manuscripts aimed at young people aged 13 to 15 years for consideration. Applicants can be individuals or groups of authors submitting, since the contest is judged anonymously. Works should be signed only by a nom de plume.

Interested applicants are being notified that they may submit their work until noon of Monday, 6 September. Applications together with manuscripts should be mailed or hand delivered to: Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, St Joseph High Road, Sta Venera SVR 1013

More information on the application process and the evaluation criteria are made available by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the National Book Council on their respective websites.