The Newfound Voice by Amena Datoo is shortlisted for the 2025 Author of Tomorrow Award, 12-15 Category. 

The Newfound Voice: Imagine a world where girls are forbidden to read. Twelve-year-old Sarah Opal Harrison dares to dream beyond the laws and propaganda. Caught between the harsh laws and a hunger for stories that speak truth, Sarah risks everything for the comfort of a book. Only to uncover a legacy she never imagined. When a stranger catches her reading, Sarah has to act fast, but when she thinks she has found safety, Sarah is thrust into an underground world of forbidden knowledge, books. Is it too dangerous to start a rebellion? Are the risks too high?

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An interview with Amena: 

WNSF: What is your favourite book?

Amena: I am afraid I can’t choose one because there are too many to choose from but some of my joint first favourites are: A Tale of Sorcery by Chris Colfer, The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q. Rauf, The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer Bell, Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery, The Secret Island by Enid Blyton and Rumaysa by Radhiya Hafiza.

WNSF: Who is your favourite author? Or one who has inspired you and why?

Amena: My favourite author is Chris Colfer but the author that inspired me was Jasbinder Bilan - I did a creative writing workshop with her and it was amazing!

WNSF: What is your favourite subject at school?

Amena: My favourite subject is English definitely!

WNSF: What does ‘adventure writing’ mean to you? Why did you choose to try your hand at an adventure story?

Amena: I am drawn to adventures for many reasons. Adventures often involve new experiences that can be exiting. The adrenaline rush from almost feeling the character making or facing challenges can be addictive to write and read about.

WNSF: If you could ask an author anything, what would you want to know?

Amena: If I could ask one question: do you have any unusual writing habits or rituals?

WNSF: Who would you consider one of your heroes and why? 

Amena: My hero is my mother. She always supports me and encourages my aspirations. I know she has my back and I love her so much for everything she does for me.

WNSF: What is the most adventurous thing you would like to do, or place you would like to visit and why?

Amena: I would like to hike a mountain and have a grappling hook to climb the steep parts or live in a cave for a few days. Both sound really exciting and I can’t choose which one to do first!

WNSF: Where do you find inspiration for your stories? 

Amena: I find inspiration from everything, from conversations to ideas at night. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with an idea but usually I don’t have any paper or pen to write it down so it gets a bit chaotic!

WNSF: If you could time travel, where would you go and why?

Amena: I would time travel to the 1960s in Kampala and meet my grandad, he always tells me how much fun he had and the amount of mischief and adventures he had, I wish I could be there too!

WNSF: What three words would you use to describe your story?

Amena: I would sum up my story as rebellion, adventure and books!

WNSF: That sounds like a fantastic combination to us! Wishing you the best of luck with the next stage of the competition, Amena!