HINTERLAND TIMES YOUNG WRITER OF THE YEAR

We have a winner!

After last year’s subject, ‘AI or Reality’, I decided to choose a more hopeful subject for young writers across the hinterland to focus on as inspiration for their stories.

Don’t Give Up’ was this year’s story challenge and we were lucky to read original, thought-provoking, entertaining, and varied stories. Interestingly, some still went to a dystopian future, including our winner, which again reminds us of how many of the younger generations feel about where we are potentially heading.

Stories came from a wide reach, including Maleny, Conondale, Palmwoods, Montville,

Woombye, Nambour, Mapleton, Eudlo, Landborough and Glasshouse. By strange coincidence the two runners-up are from different year levels at Glasshouse Christian

College, although none of the judges knew this when reading and choosing their favourite stories.

As usual, there were only one or two votes between the top five. In addition to the winner and two runners-up, we have two ‘Highly Commended’ writers who were only one point away from the runners-up places.

So, without further ado, a huge congratulations to our 2026 winner, Laif Godson-King, with his story, Don’t Linger East of the Edge. 

Laif has entered the competition on previous occasions, and has twice been a ‘Judge’s Special Mention'. Laif’s thoughts on crafting the story, and the story itself, are on pages 4 and 5.

Our two runners-up stories, from Sarah Nettlefold and Arya Moseley, are on pages 6 and 7. We will also publish the two Highly Commended stories in our November issue.

Winner

Don’t Linger East of the Edge by Laif Godson-King

Runners-Up

The First Drop by Sarah Nettlefold

A Story Too Good to be True by Arya Moseley

Highly Commended

All Too Well by Cleo Laundy

The Right Side of Wrong by Henry Stevens

A huge thank you to our prize sponsors: Rosetta Books, Maleny; The Falls Montville, Forest Heart Nursery, Outspoken Presents, artist Jim Cox, and our annual generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous.