Could you judge NZ's best books?

Media Release: Friday 8 October, 2010

Have you got what it takes to judge New Zealand’s best books?

Expressions of interest are now welcomed from individuals interested in reading and judging New Zealand‘s best books of 2010 for next year’s New Zealand Post Book Awards. Anyone wanting to be part of the judging panel should apply by 27 October - from avid and critical readers to reviewers, authors, publishers, academics, booksellers and beyond.

The New Zealand Post Book Awards, this country’s premier book awards for contemporary writing, celebrate excellence and recognising the very best books written by New Zealanders, published annually.

Last year the New Zealand Post Book Awards Advisory Committee, comprising stakeholder representatives, decided to expand the judging panel from three to five; four judges and one judge/convenor.  If additional Te Reo skills are required to judge the Māori Language Award, an advisor will be appointed. Equally, if the panel requires expert assistance in any given subject area, it will be sought.

The Awards are administered for the industry by Booksellers New Zealand whose CEO, Lincoln Gould, said he received positive feedback about the new structure of judging after the 2010 New Zealand Post Book Awards.

The Advisory Committee considers it important that this judging panel covers a wide range of skills and expertise – it is the variety of voices and perspectives around the judging table that makes for some wonderful discussion and debate.

According to Gould: “Every book that makes it onto the shortlist does so only after close reading, robust discussion and critique. It is also important that a consensus is reached between the five members of the judging panel.

“It’s certainly no easy task. If a judge loves a book, they’ll go into battle for it – and yet the best books generally naturally rise to the top, making many decisions unanimous.

“In the past some of this country’s most highly respected authors, academics, reviewers, publishers and booksellers have sat on the panel of judges. Judging involves reading over 200 books that are entered for the Awards each year.

As a result the judging experience will be very stimulating and rewarding,” said Gould

Those wishing to apply must complete the application form (available on www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz), and provide a brief curriculum vitae to the Awards Administrator by Wednesday, 27 October 2010. The judging panel will be selected by the Awards Advisory Committee, comprising stakeholder representatives.  

Closing Dates
Applications close:  5pm, Wednesday 27 October 2010.

ENDS

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