Picture a Sydney storyteller who spun queer feminist tales that hooked young readers worldwide—meet Erin Gough! This Australian author burst onto the young adult (YA) scene with her witty, heartfelt novels, blending humor, romance, and social justice. From her award-winning debut to her bold explorations of identity, Gough’s stories resonate with teens navigating love, power, and prejudice in a modern world.
Born and raised in Australia, Gough lives on Gadigal land in Sydney, where she crafts narratives that champion diversity and challenge norms. Her work, steeped in queer and feminist themes, has earned global acclaim, making her a vital voice in contemporary YA literature.
The Making of Erin Gough
Erin Gough’s path to authorship began with a love for storytelling sparked in childhood. As a teen, she devoured queer fiction by authors like Virginia Woolf and Sarah Waters, whose bold depictions of desire shaped her own writing. Gough started entering short story competitions at 15, honing her craft through mentorships and residencies, including the Varuna Eleanor Dark Flagship Fellowship. Her early short stories appeared in prestigious outlets like Best Australian Stories and The Age, earning awards like the Banjo Paterson National Short Story Competition. This foundation in short fiction paved the way for her leap into novels, where she found her true calling in YA literature.
Erin Gough’s Unforgettable Stories
Gough’s debut novel, The Flywheel (2015), published as Get It Together, Delilah! in the US, won the Hardie Grant Ampersand Prize. This heartwarming queer romance follows Delilah, a teen managing her family’s struggling café while navigating love and lesbophobia. Readers adored its charming Australian setting and authentic teen voice, praising its balance of humor and heartache.
Her breakout hit, Amelia Westlake (2018), also published as Amelia Westlake Was Never Here, is a queer feminist rom-com that nabbed the Readings Young Adult Book Prize and the NSW Premier’s Ethel Turner Prize. Inspired by a high school hoax Gough once pulled, it follows two girls teaming up to expose their school’s injustices through a fictional persona. Its sharp satire and sizzling romance made it a standout, resonating with the #MeToo movement.
Gough’s latest, Into the Mouth of the Wolf (2024), is a thrilling blend of queer romance and climate activism, showcasing her knack for tackling timely issues. Her novella Distance, part of the Griffith Review Novella Project, and short stories in anthologies like Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories, highlight her versatility. Gough’s lyrical, humorous style weaves contemporary themes with emotional depth, making her stories both relatable and revolutionary.
Why Erin Gough Matters
Erin Gough’s impact lies in her fearless representation of queer and feminist perspectives in YA fiction. Her lesbian protagonists offer young readers validation, helping them see themselves in stories that celebrate queerness and challenge systemic inequities. By addressing issues like climate change, discrimination, and institutional power, Gough empowers teens to imagine positive futures. Her talks on diverse reading and storytelling workshops inspire new writers, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in Australian literature.
- Key Works: The Flywheel (2015), Amelia Westlake (2018), Into the Mouth of the Wolf (2024), Distance (novella, 2018).
- Awards: Hardie Grant Ampersand Prize, Readings Young Adult Book Prize, NSW Premier’s Ethel Turner Prize.
- Location: Lives on Gadigal land, Sydney, Australia.
Ready to dive into Erin Gough’s vibrant world? Snag Amelia Westlake for a queer feminist romp that’ll leave you laughing and inspired!