I arrived at the Queen of Teen award ceremony last Friday armed with little more than a notepad and a pair of bright pink Doctor Marten boots. The dress code was "a hint of pink", but I didn't quite pull off the subtle edge. I also found that my name, for the day, had been changed to "Alannah from The Guardian". It's a title I could get used to.

The Queen of Teen is a prestigious accolade, awarded to an author who, according to their teen readers, can evoke and shape an audience more than any other. Some fans, speaking at the ceremony, described the influence that the short-listed authors have had on their own literary ambitions. Others labelled them as the source of many a sleepless night and more than a few emotional breakdowns (*cough, cough, John Green*).

Before we left for the award presentation itself, the authors, their "super-fans" and myself, sat down for a delicious lunch which consisted of, among other things, hummus and chocolate brownies. Food doesn't get much better for me.

I was sat next to the lovely Natasha Farrant, author of The Diaries of Bluebell Gadsby series (the second book of the series Flora in Love has just been longlisted for the Guardian children's fiction prize, so I can safely say that I was in good company. The dinner table conversation topics may have wandered from "The Godfather" to the North Pole to Uruguayan footballers with biting habits, but one aspect did not falter: the atmosphere of collective literary passion. It was clear that all the short-listed authors were intent on inspiring the next generation of readers and writers. And, as it happens, they've done this pretty well.

The actual ceremony took place on the verdant lawns of Catteshall Manor, which is a bit like Downton Abbey, but smaller. And with less drama. We began with a thought-provoking speech from Seni Glaister, CEO of The Book People, who managed to sum up the literacy crisis in this country: "The issue is not about what our children read, but about whether they are reading." She expressed her love for the Queen of Teen award, admitting that among all the ceremonies organised by The Book People, this was her "favourite" due to its undeniable relevance: "the winner is voted for by the people who matter most: teenagers."

To give you an idea of the array of talent represented at the ceremony, you simple have to glance at the short-list: Natasha Farrant, Cathy Cassidy, James Dawson, Tonya Hurley, Veronica Roth, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Holly Smale, Beth Reekles and S C Ransom. Sound familiar? Each author was supported by a super-fan… even the absent Americans (the commute from the USA to Surrey is long enough, so you can forgive them) were represented by an ardent devotee. The speeches about the impact the short-listers have had on the fans were delivered with conviction and emotion, and that was just from my perspective. I can only imagine how heart-warming it must have been for the authors to see their hard work and labours manifested in the admiration of their audience.

I had the (slightly nerve-wracking) privilege of announcing the winner… James Dawson, author of Hollow Pike, Cruel Summer and Say Her Name. Yes, you read that right – James Dawson. But who's to say that the Queen of teen fiction can't be a man? As he said himself, he might not have been "the author with the most best-sellers on the list" , or even a girl, but with a distinctive and profound writing style on his side as well as the ability to entrance thousands of readers across the country, his victory is undisputably deserved. Here's a little Q and A I ran with him, following on from his coronation:

What makes epitomises the joy of writing for you?
I get to tell stories and get paid for it. It never ever feels like work because I've always had a head full of stories.

Do you feel that you've reached literary success, or are you always looking to develop your writing?
I'm pretty hard on myself. I should probably take more time to celebrate the successes I've had, but I'm always thinking about what's coming next. I am thrilled to be Queen of Teen however, and I'm taking a short break, but then I'll be back to wear my crown with pride.

If you could have written any book in the world, what book would that be?
Clockwork by Philip Pullman. It's 90 pages of dark fairy-tale perfection.

Why do you write- is it to communicate your feelings, inform or to entertain?
I write to entertain because I read for fun. It sounds lofty to call yourself a "storyteller" but I think that's what I am. My books do have themes or ideas or whatever, but they find their way in as I write.

What's the appeal of writing for a teen audience?
My teenage years were tough. I have anger about those years and it feels healthier to write about how I feel about that period than to stew.

Can you see any of your books being turned into films?
That would be lovely!

What do you think of screen adaptations? Are they good ways of communicating a story to a wider audience or do they destroy the legacy of a book?
It entirely depends on the movie! An adaptation would certainly introduce my books to a broader audience and I think that's a good thing.

You must have had dark moments during the writing process – how do you cope with these?
I really don't. I love writing. I'm terrible at business though, I hate all the tax and contracts and publisher stuff. That's why I really need an agent to look after me.

Have you ever abandoned a story?
I have and that's OK. When I start a new book it's like dating - you have to give it a few weeks to see if it feels right. There are some unfinished titles, but I can always go back to them in the future.

Why is the book still so relevant in an era of television and film?
Because the relationship between an author, a reader and the characters is so special. Everyone has their own version of Bobbie Rowe (in Say Her Name) so she belongs to all of us.

How would you feel about your books being studied as part of the curriculum?
It would be an honour but I don't see it happening any time soon! As I said, my books are fun above all else and GCSE English killed my love of reading for about four years.

What's the best piece of writing advice that you've ever been given?
"Write what you want."

What, if anything/anyone, is the source of your inspiration?
The 80s/90s are my big inspirations. I still love all the shows and films I loved when I was young and enjoy using those themes and ideas in my books. It's like playing with old toys.

The audience and esteemed authors then dispersed, to gorge on a sublime buffet of high-tea treats and to sign books respectively. I found myself in the midst of a circle of incredibly friendly super-fans, where we discussed classics, freebies, cake and the innumerable joy of GCSE science. And, in the absence of Veronica Roth, one fan felt to obliged to sign my free copy of Allegiant on her behalf: "Dear Elana" it read, "Here is a book 'Four' you! #pun-tastic, Love Veronica." The level of accuracy was uncanny.

It was a pleasure to attend the ceremony, so my thanks must go to The Guardian children's book site, as well as The Book People, for organising this delightful acknowledgement of YA fiction talent. As I sipped lemonade amongst the vibrancy of pink clad book-enthusiasts, I contemplated thus: we may be in the midst of a literary crisis, but the teens who don't read don't know what they're missing.

If you're 17 or younger, love reading and are not a member of the Guardian children's books site – you should be! Find out how to join us.