Chairing, festival-ing and inky-fying

Persnickety Snark went into early retirement when I started working at the Centre for Youth Literature. Partly because it seemed problematic to review authors that I would be working with, and secondly because I just wouldn't have the time available to keep it at the same standard that it was before. Becoming the Program Coordinator at CYL has been an incredible opportunity. It's hard work but I have been able to program events and conferences with a multitude of Australian and international authors, travel regional areas presenting workshops and grow many teens' knowledge of YA.

This week I've been chairing sessions at the Melbourne Writers Festival.  Two days in and I am pretty exhausted but I have interviewed Printz winner Melina Marchetta, Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park, Adelaide Literary Festival winner Vikki Wakefield and incredible Western Australian talent Julia Lawrinson.  Later in the week I'll write a more thorough post on my experiences but I wanted you all to do something for me.

You see, part of my job is the Inky Awards which are the largest Australian teen reading choice award.  And we launched it yesterday.  I am part of the crew that helps decide the ten Australian novels (Gold Inky) and ten international novels (Silver Inky) but then it is up to a panel of four teens, the previous year's winner of the Gold Inky (James Moloney, Silvermay) and an industry expert (blogger Danielle Binks from Alpha Reader and Spinifex Press) to work out the shortlists.

Below is their shortlist.

I would love for you to vote.  In fact, you can win all ten books on the shortlist if you vote.  Think about it! There are many amazing authors on our list and we'd love teens to decide the book that best exemplifies the Inkys - it's your choice :)

The Inky Awards - Vote Now!

Voting is now open on insideadog.com.au/vote.

Include your username while voting and you will go in to the draw to win the entire shortlisted books!

*If you’re not registered you can register at insideadog.com.au.

Voting is open to ages 12-20.

Voting closes on the 14 October 2012.

Winners will be announced at The Inky Awards event on the 23rd of October. Find out more about the event on the State Library of Victoria’s What’s On page.

Follow the Inky Awards experience via -
Twitter: @insideadog #Inkys Facebook: Inside A Dog

Gold Inky (Australian books) 

Shift by Em Bailey

Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar

Act of Faith by Kelly Gardiner

Queen of the Night by Leanne Hall 

The Reluctant Hallelujah by Gabrielle Williams

Silver Inky (International books) 
BZRK by Michael Grant
 The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor