New Zealand Writers Sought For Book Awards

New Zealand Writers Sought For Book Awards

Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript and Book Awards 2007-

New Zealand writers have the opportunity to enter their work in the annual Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust literature awards for 2007.

The Trust, in association with the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA), offers two national awards that aim to recognise excellence in authorship for writing in the mind, body, spirit genre.

A single award of $10,000, one of the largest prizes awarded for literature in New Zealand, will be given to the winner of the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript, and another single award of $10,000 will be awarded to the winner of the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Book Award.

Now in its fourth year, the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust has seen an increasing number of quality works entered since its inception, and is amazed by the awards’ growing popularity in New Zealand.

Tauranga author Megan Don won last year’s published book award category for Falling into the Arms of God: meditations with Teresa of Avila, and Christchurch author Robyn Speed won the Unpublished Manuscript Award for her work entitled The Key.

Ms Speed has received much attention from publishers that has helped in developing her career since being named a finalist in the 2005 Unpublished Manuscript Awards, and then winning the award in 2006.

“Winning the Ashton Wylie Unpublished Manuscript Award was a great moment in my life. It was recognition of my work, and the unspoken instruction to keep writing. It took me not one step closer, but two steps closer to my goal of becoming a published novelist,” says Ms Speed.

The Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust was set up following the death of Auckland businessman Ashton Wylie in 1999. Trustee and member of the judging panel, Adonia Wylie, says that there is a definite growing public reception for the mind, body, spirit literature genre.

“It is becoming quite apparent there is an increasing demand for quality books in the mind, body, spirit genre. Many books on the New York Times best-seller list reflect that writers and readers alike are in search of enlightening literature. I’m reassured of this growing trend in New Zealand when I have the privilege of reading the high quality entries we receive each year,” says Ms Wylie.

Tina Shaw, Programme Manager, NZ Society of Authors, says that as well as rewarding excellence in authorship, the awards provide New Zealand writers with the support and encouragement to further their careers.

“The Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Book Awards gives a number of writers the recognition and reinforcement they need for their work, and the awards have been pivotal in showcasing this literature genre to New Zealanders,” says Ms Shaw.

Judges for the awards include Jennifer Eddington, Stephen Stratford, New Zealand author Richard Webster, and Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust trustee Adonia Wylie.

To be eligible for the awards, authors must be New Zealand citizens residing here. Unpublished manuscripts must be submitted by 31 March 2007, and be between 20,000 and 100,000 words in length. Published books must be submitted by 31 May, should be 48 pages or longer, and must have been published between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust’s own venue, Hopetoun Alpha in Auckland in August.

Submission forms and entry details are available from The New Zealand Society of Authors national office programmes@nzauthors.org.nz or via post, PO Box 67-013, Mt Eden, Auckland 1349.

ENDS

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