Writer’s Prize Paved Way For Angus Biography

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For immediate release

16 April 2008

Writer’s Prize Paved Way For Angus Biography

The first biography of artist, Rita Angus by Jill Trevelyan was published this month thanks to a $35,000 Award from Copyright Licensing Ltd (CLL).

And applications are now open for other writer’s to benefit from this award for non-fiction works.
Applicants have until 16 July to submit proposals to the 2008 CLL Writers’ Award; there will be two prizes of $35,000 awarded this year.

The Awards - which are among the highest monetary prizes for works of non-fiction available in New Zealand - have been running since 2002.  Jill Trevelyan won the award in 2005; enabling her to devote time to writing Rita Angus’ biography.

CLL chief executive officer, Kathy Sheat says she is proud to have had a part in the creation of Rita Angus: An Artist’s Life - a wonderful addition to New Zealand’s literary works and a work of national significance. 

‘Rita Angus was a much loved New Zealand artist who eked out a living in an economy which provided no supporting infrastructure or market for her works.  Like other creators, Rita found stimulus in other copyright works, adapting ideas from different cultures and periods to suit her purpose, building on the works of others and creating new works.’

A further four books of national importance will be published in the next 12 months from the recipients of CLL Writers’ Awards.

The awards are financed from copyright licensing revenue collected by CLL from New Zealand institutions on behalf of authors and publishers. They enable New Zealand writers to devote time to specific non-fiction projects.

 ‘One of the main roles of copyright is to provide an incentive for creation and innovation – new works are developed by future generations based on their understanding of the research and works of those that went before them,’ says Ms Sheat.

This year, in conjunction with the NZ Society of Authors a further two research grants of $3,500 each will be awarded for the first time.

CLL is also the proud sponsor of the Copyright Licensing Intellectual Property Law Award.

ENDS

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