Tessa Duder Award facts for kids

The Storylines Tessa Duder Award is a special prize in New Zealand. It's given to writers who create amazing fiction books. These books are for young adults, usually around 13 years old and older.

About the Award's History

The Storylines Tessa Duder Award started in 2010. It first worked with HarperCollins Publishers. Now, Walker Books Australia helps sponsor it.

The award is named after a famous New Zealand writer, Tessa Duder. She has written many wonderful books for children. She also helps support and promote children's books.

What the Award Offers

The winner of this award receives a cash prize. They also get an offer to have their book published. This helps new authors share their stories.

When the Award is Given

The award is presented at the Storylines Margaret Mahy Awards Day. This event also announces other important awards. These include the Margaret Mahy Award, Tom Fitzgibbon Award, Joy Cowley Award, and the Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book.

This special day happens in Auckland. It's held on the weekend closest to April 2nd. This date is also International Children’s Book Day. It's also the birthday of famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen.

How to Enter the Award

This award has a few rules for writers who want to enter.

• The award is open to all writers in New Zealand. This includes both new writers and those who have published books before.
• The award is given out every two years. However, if no book is good enough to be published, no award is given that year.
• Writers send in their stories by the end of October. The winner is announced the next March. The winning book is then published the following year.

Past Winners of the Award

Here are some of the talented writers who have won the Storylines Tessa Duder Award:

• 2011: Hugh Brown won with his story. It was later published as Reach. This book was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards in 2013.
• 2012: Rachel Stedman won. Her story was published as A Necklace of Souls. This book won Best First Book in the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2014.
• 2013: No award was given this year.
• 2015: No award was given this year.
• 2016: Gareth Ward won with his story The Sin Chronicles: New Blood. It was published as The Traitor and the Thief. This book was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2018.
• 2018: Tina Shaw won with her story called Ursa.
• 2020: Cristina Sanders won with her story titled Displaced.
• 2022: Leonie Agnew won. Her story was published as The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp.

See also

• List of New Zealand literary awards