The Golden Pen Award
We challenged students in Years 4-12 to put pen to paper and think about the world around them, within them and their place within it.
Open to three age categories: Junior (Years 4-6), Middle (Years 7-8) and Senior (Years 9-12) young creators were asked to reflect on and bring their interpretation to the theme Big and Small.
Over 345 submissions were received in response to the 2021 Award from young storytellers across the state and we’ve been blown away by the quality and creativity on show from young scribblers.
We left the hard work to our panel of expert judges, author Jane Godwin, librarian Kirsten Cooper and graphic novelist Campbell Whyte and we are excited to introduce you to the 2021 winners and shortlisted entrants.
Read the winning and shortlist works, here!
Winner: Matilda Ashton
Title of Work: Tree and Me
About: A captivating work that takes the reader through different moments in time and a range of emotions.
Author Bio:
My name is Matilda Ashton and I’m eleven years old. I have a determined personality and I am passionate about writing. I like to finish what I start, and I love to read. One day I hope to become an author. I love nature and animals along with sport, arts and crafts and school. I have a great appetite and love trying new things. In my family, I have my Mum and Dad, a younger sister called Evangeline (Evie for short), a dog named Coco and two pet hermit crabs named Bubbles and Coral.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I get a lot of my inspiration and ideas from books. Books are the one thing that can take you into another world, another place to imagine. I always love adjectives in a book because it makes me feel like I am more than inside the book, like I am that actual person, animal or object; that is how I wanted my writing to be, to bring you straight into another world and to feel emotion to match the part of the story you are reading.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
The hardest part of writing any story I find is the ending. I think I always have a good start, but there is no point having a good start if it does not have a good ending to WOW your readers like at the very beginning. So, I had to think of an ending that would make the readers feel emotional or happy at the end so that they would want to read more, and not want the story to end.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
I love to read adventure and fantasy stories the most such as, Eragon, The Hobbit, No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Dragonfly Song and lots more. Some of my favourite authors include, Christopher Paolini, J.R.R Tolkien, Jacqueline Harvey and yet again many more. I love how books especially the ones listed above, take you to a new world to explore, feel and let your imagination run free. When adjectives are included as well, you can actually feel every single thing happening and imagine every little detail written in the book. This is what I love about books.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
I have always loved nature and love describing it in my writing whether, it is the lush, bright green trees with juicy leaves and butter coloured yellow dew dripping off them or slimy, scaly little lizards scuttling about. I enjoy looking at nature and the things around me to describe in my writing.
What the Judges had to say.
“This story experiments with point-of-view in an original way. It contains some lovely imagery. The storytelling is ambitious as it features multiple narrators and is set over a long time frame, but the author holds it all together well.”
“Creative and original piece that builds on the tree of life concept. Great emotional elements from different view points.”
Shortlisted: Anya Prince
Title of Work: A Story of a Tide Mouse
About: Original and magical – Anya has created a page turning story that will captivate the reader.
Author Bio:
I live in Denmark with my parents, an older brother and a younger sister. I like reading, drawing, making comics, creating imaginary worlds. And I love ‘crafternoons’.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I get my inspiration from other people’s stories. I’m always excited by the idea of a great quest.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
It wasn’t too hard to get started because I’d been thinking about it, a lot. The hardest part was probably the ending, rounding it off.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
I like reading fantasy books because it’s harder to guess what’s going to happen, because almost anything can happen when magic is included. Some of my favourite authors include Rick Riordan, J.K. Rowling and Michael Scott.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
I think so, because for me when bad things happen I like thinking what if this hadn’t happened and something magical had happened instead. Life around me influences a lot of different creative ideas.
What the Judges had to say.
“This is a very accomplished piece of writing, with a confident voice and strong storytelling.”
“Good use of conflict and resolution throughout with great language and original character and settings.”
Junior Category Years 4-6
Shortlisted: Caleb Ng
Title of Work: Nigel Cheesington
About: Funny, warm and charming. Caleb has created original characters and a story that will stay with you.
Author Bio:
Hi, my name is Caleb and I have a younger sister Rebekah. My ideal day would be one spent at home, on the coach, getting lost in stories or non-fiction texts.
I also love playing the piano, clarinet and exercising my vocal chords. I am starting on my writing journey, so being part of this competition is such a wonderful experience.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I usually start with a character. I then try to think about what they would do, and how it makes them feel. The plot usually follows after that.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
Actually I only heard about the competition 3 days before the deadline. I was on a school excursion at RELICS: Bricks of the New World when my teacher told me about the Golden Pen. I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough time, but once I got started, it was just fine. I had a lot of ideas which I wanted to incorporate into the story, some of which I had to let go. The hardest part was naming the characters!
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
I love tales of adventure because I like the “edge of my seat” feeling. However I also enjoy heartwarming stories and getting to know the characters. Currently I am reading the Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall. Other recent reads include Jenny Cote’s series Max and Liz and the Order of the Seven. I can also recommend Steve Backshall’s The Falcon Chronicles.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
I like it best when I can write in a relaxed environment. Most of Nigel Cheesington was written on a deckchair in our backyard, where it is quiet with a nice view. I guess if I am thinking about real life events it’s just a distraction. After all, stories are all about giving us a chance to escape to another world.
What the Judges had to say.
“I found this a very funny story, with a witty and subversive turn of phrase - quite sophisticated storytelling! The story arc is also clear and satisfying.”
Junior Category Years 4-6
Shortlisted: Delilah Hoskins
Title of Work: Small Beings in a Vast World
About: Delilah pulls you straight in with strong imagery and a setting that explores nature and the environment.
Author Bio:
Delilah Hoskins is an 11-year-old born in Sydney and living in Perth since 2012. She loves drawing, writing, and anything creative. She also enjoys playing basketball and AFL, playing with her 26 pets, and absolutely loves travelling. Delilah is very passionate about her writing and hopes to be a published author one day.
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I like to think deeply about certain subjects. Thinking is something I often do if there’s nothing to do, but it can be hard for me to hold on to an idea. So, I like to write it down right away.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
Yes, starting was the hardest part, and proofreading. Even now, I think I should have proofread more because I found a couple typos and grammatical errors after submitting. I remember being very panicky because I couldn’t think of a subject and everyone else could. But I got there eventually.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
Hunger Games is probably my all-time favourite. Suzanne Collins did such a beautiful job with suspense and descriptive language, which helped me to vividly visualize what was happening.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
I think so, yes. I recently went on a trip to the Ningaloo reef, which filled my mind with amazing ideas of characters and stories about underwater creatures. I also love to travel, and this influences my writing a lot. I can’t wait for new adventures soon.
What the Judges had to say.
“Another story with a unique point of view. The environmental theme was explored effectively and there’s some evocative imagery that really sparks the senses.”
“Definitely fulfilled the theme of ‘big and small’. This was easy to read with great pace and interesting vocabulary.”
Winner: Erin Hardy
Title of Work: Sometimes I Like to Pretend
About: Erin immerses you in her story through her powerful use of images and words. A talented artist and storyteller.
Author Bio:
In the future, my goal is to publish my own novel and I would like to become a journalist when I am older. Some of my favourite things include writing, art, cats and theorising about the world.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I get my inspiration from books and movies that I have watched, and from events that happen in everyday life.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
The hardest part was drawing the images to go along with the text, and arranging them properly.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
My favourite genres are Fantasy and Dystopian.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
I wanted to write from the perspective of an abused character, and I tried to write about what it would feel like.
What the Judges had to say.
“It’s a real challenge to write, illustrate and design a graphic story, and this piece integrated illustration, design and text very effectively.”
“This reinforces that a picture tells a thousand words. A good representation of a huge current issue that sticks with you after reading.”
Shortlisted: Dante Crean
Title of Work: Grandmother’s Kitchen
About: A story about connections to family and home.
Author Bio:
Dante is a 13-year-old, who tolerates homework between devouring manga, cooking up a storm and ploughing his mountain bike through puddles on the trails of the Perth Hills. He loves to spend a weekend seeing watching and experiencing stories with his family across the screens and stages of Perth.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
My inspiration comes from the stories I read and listen to. I am fascinated by the never-ending worlds and heroes of manga, and by the magic of Neil Gaiman’s stories and Greek mythology as it was and as it can be found in the modern world.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
The hardest part about writing this piece was finding the words that create a picture of an evil without a physical form. I also wanted to draw a relationship with a Grandmother that was similar to the one I share with mine. It is where I am both teacher and student, as she is mine. It is equal parts cheeky and respectful. I would like to have that kind of adventure with my Grandmother.
3.What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
I love reading Manga, particularly One Piece. I also like reading the books of Phillip Pullman, the Ellie stories by John Marsden, the One of Us is Lying series by Karen M McManus and anything by James Foley and Campbell Whyte.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
The information I consume from books, people, film, theatre, musicals, gaming, music, music videos and animation are all ingredients in my creativity. I don’t include things about current affairs of world crisis because I am more interested in creating big magical ideas that flow from small worlds and ordinary people. Your creativity is shaped by my family life and this story definitely came from the time you have spent cooking in your Grandmother’s Kitchen (over zoom).
What the Judges had to say.
“This story has a lot of heart and I was impressed by the authentic dialogue and small details.”
“Beautifully crafted piece of writing containing good conflict, resolution and a great ending. Contains a simplicity with an underlying complexity that grabs the reader.”
Shortlist: Shuen Chan
Title of Work: In the Forest Green
About: A powerful poem about our world.
Author Bio:
I am a high school student in WA with a love of writing, reading and music. I feel the most at home with my pen on paper, where I can escape into a whole new world of my own making. In the future, I hope to write and publish my own books.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I am a natural observer of the world around me and often find myself wondering about the happenings revolving about me in everyday life. I usually draw my inspiration and ideas when I catch glimpses of little moments that could pass by in the blink of an eye, that I may find insignificant at first: a man sitting alone in a park, someone rushing into a bus in the early morning… but after a little pondering on, could turn out to be so much more.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
The hardest part of writing this piece was trying to put my ideas down on paper. I began with a few false starts at first, before finding the right opening. Once I found a starting point, it acted like a platform for me to jump off so I could dive right into my imagination.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
I like reading books that draw attention to some of the ongoing issues circulating our world and books that send powerful and meaningful messages to its readers. Some of my favourite authors include Michael Morpurgo and Tim Winton. I also enjoy reading about other people’s life stories and experiences. I found that reading about other people’s recounts of the obstacles they had been through helped me look at things through a different lens of perspective.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
Yes, I find that my creativity was influenced by the ongoing issues of our world. For this particular piece, the issue that I addressed was deforestation and environmental protection. I wanted to voice out the mistreatment of our environment and the lack of appreciation it was receiving from its inhabitants, and how important it was that we take action to protect it.
What the Judges had to say.
“This is a clever and original take on an environmental theme.”
“Wonderful rhythm in this poem. An original way of relaying a known theme. It grabs you from the first line, repeated throughout, until the final line.”
Winner: Ellen Clocherty
Title of Work: Stifling
About: An immersive work that makes you sit up and pay attention.
Author Bio:
I enjoy reading a wide variety of books and have been writing for a few years. I also love performing in the arts, specialising in music and drama. I have been playing football for my local club since I was eight.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I get my inspiration through many different short stories that I have read. Many of these stories are non-fiction and highlight the effects of mental health and cover adult themes.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
The hardest part of this piece was that I could not find the motivation to write it. However, once I started the piece it was quick to write and flowed easily.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
I love to read YA books although I do read numerous adult books. I am mostly a fiction reader with genres of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery and dystopian but have read other genres. My favourite authors are Rick Riordan who wrote the Percy Jackson series and Leigh Bardugo who wrote the Six of Crows duology.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
This story was mostly influenced by mental health which many social media platforms are raising awareness about. With most of my other pieces I find that I include relevant issues that are important to the world.
What the Judges had to say.
“This features a strong teen voice, and it’s an authentic exploration of anxiety and depression, with a suggestion of hope at the end.”
“Great descriptions, good empathy and an uplifting resolution. Creative way to write about anxiety and depression.”
Shortlist: Isabella Crean
Title of Work: Nothing But Grateful
About: Isabella’s story makes you think about what’s really important.
Author Bio:
Isabella Crean is a 15 year old girl living in the sleepy little town of Chidlow in the Perth Hills. Isabella enjoys writing short stories on rainy days, diving into the pages of fiction, particularly, gothic, historical or fantasy books. She loves that ideas for stories seem to come easily when she is bushwalking. A good day begins with kitchen dancing with her family and ends tucked up in the pages of a far distant wonderland.
Author Interview:
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I get my inspiration and ideas from my experiences, and my beautiful environment. Writing of myself, and my place is always the jumping off point. In this story, my chronic health experiences were the catalyst but the real story comes from my determination to identify more as a kid and less as a patient. So, in crafting this story I drew on my friendships, travel experiences and even took the opportunity to create a place to spend some time with my beloved Grandma who passed away 3 years ago but is forever in my heart.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
The hardest part of the subject matter of this piece was reliving the traumatic pain experience and the hospital experience that followed. The hardest part of the use of language was crafting words to create worlds that represent an escape from all consuming pain. I strove to find a balance between worlds that were sound enviably perfect that the idea of them was strong enough to combat the pain.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
I love to read a wide variety of books ranging from poetry to biographies. In particular I love to read fantasy and science fiction because they fuel my imagination about what is the impossible. I also like to read a good gothic fiction novel which explores the parts of humanity that are dark and graceful. Some of my favourite authors for science-fiction and fantasy include Amie Kaufman, Jessica Townsend and Ursula K LeGuin. Other notable authors that I absolutely love are Isabel Allende and Neil Gaiman.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
Without a doubt. It is the world around me that spurs me on to put pencil to paper. It is the strange and delightful things I see, and perhaps the fact that as someone who has grown up in the medical system, who has had hours to observe the world, has driven me to capture snapshots of my world and then colour them with magic. Writing from my own patch of the Hills, in Perth is really a gift. There are so many story tellers available to kids in Perth: writers, painters, plays, musicians, dancers that being a part of storytelling is inevitably the best way to live.
What the Judges had to say.
“This one features strong observational writing, and authentic details which really make this dramatic story come alive for the reader.”
“Beautifully written with great descriptions, range of ideas and language. Make you feel like you are there leaving a lasting impression. Good understanding of the scenario expressed in an interesting way.”
Shortlist: Lucy Marden
Title of Work: Small
About: A powerful and moving poem that will stay with you.
Author Bio:
I’m Lucy and I’m fourteen. I’m a total book nerd and I have spent an unhealthy amount of nights reading my way into the morning. I also have a massive obsession with writing - one of my ambitions is to have a book published. And, although there are a lot of ugly poems sitting in my Google Drive, I’m constantly striving to create pieces I’m proud of.
1. Where do you get your inspiration/ideas?
I find inspiration in so many things - books, nature, music, past experiences - in random moments I’ll suddenly feel super motivated to write. Most of my ideas usually hit me in the middle of the night, so I often find messily written notes on my desk in the morning - great for ideas, less great for a good sleep!
2. What was the hardest part of writing this piece? Was it difficult to get started?
This piece was pretty hard for me to write. I knew what I wanted to say, but Small focuses on such a heavy topic and I felt very pressured to get the words right. I have a close friend who struggles with some of the themes discussed in the poem, and I found it difficult to talk about such an emotional subject.
3. What do you like to read and why? Any favourite authors?
Where do I begin? I read almost every genre, but some of my favourites are poetry, classics and realism (although I love a good fantasy!). My list of favourite authors is very long! But, to name a few: Bren MacDibble, Louisa May Alcott, Jessica Townsend, Karen Foxlee, AJ Betts and Meg McKinlay.
4. Do you find your creativity is affected/influenced by the things that are happening in the world around you?
Definitely. I enjoy writing about real-world experiences and trying to put feelings into words. As I’m sure for most people, I found the pandemic brought up a lot of emotions, so while the lockdowns were pretty miserable, they gave me lots of material to work with!
What the Judges had to say.
“A very powerful and no-holes-barred piece of writing.”
“Good flow and rhythm. Follows a story that is relatable to the YA audience. Very original way of writing about this hidden issue.”
