The Centre for Youth Literature has just announced the longlist for the 2010 Inkys. The Inkys are awards for teenage literature voted for by readers. The longlist consists of 10 Australian books, all vying for the Gold Inky, and 10 International books, one of which will take home the Silver Inky. The longlist was selected by the Centre. A shortlist will be made by a panel of judges before voting opens to readers aged between 12 and 20.

We are thrilled to see two Text titles on the longlist. Will Grayson, Will Grayson, the collaboration by YA superstars John Green and David Levithan, and Kelly Link’s surreal collection of short stories, The Wrong Grave, are both in contention for the Silver Inky.

‘…John Green and David Levithan’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a complete romp…the novel is so tightly woven that it begins to feel miraculous…Will Grayson, Will Grayson is so funny, rude and original that by the time flowers hit the stage after Hold Me Closer, even the musical-averse will cheer.’ New York Times

‘Link invests fantasy and fairytale with literary kinks, giving her stories twists that are always quirky and sometimes postmodern. Her work glitters with dark intelligence and a distinctive brand of magic that reminded me of Neil Gaiman at his best…. A wonderful collection that will attract fans, young and old, of imaginative fiction.‘ Age

Important dates:

Shortlist chosen: 12 October
Voting commences: 12 October
Voting closes: 19 November
Winner announced: 25 November

You can read the entire longlist here.