Become a published writer with Kobo and Society of Authors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday 13 May 2013

Become a published writer with Kobo and The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.)

The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.) in association with Kobo Writing Life are proud to announce the launch of the Kobo/NZ Authors E-Publishing prize.

This competition offers two budding New Zealand authors the opportunity to be professionally published in e-book form through the Kobo Writing Life platform and offered for sale throughout New Zealand.

The competition allows applicants to enter a piece of writing of fiction or non-fiction between 30,000 and 120,000 words. Manuscripts are to be judged anonymously by a panel comprising representatives from Kobo, The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.) and an independent bookseller. Members of the public will be able to vote for their favourite shortlisted manuscripts on-line and these winners will each receive a free Kobo reader.

Open to any New Zealand resident or citizen. So get that manuscript out of the bottom drawer, dust it off and send it in. Application forms and Terms and Conditions are available at www.authors.org.nz.

“Kobo Writing Life is all about removing barriers and providing authors with tools and resources to help get their best work into the market,” says Mark Lefebvre, Kobo’s Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations. “Collaborating with the New Zealand Society of Authors in this effort to recognize excellence in writing is a great way to provide New Zealand writers a fantastic and unique opportunity.”

“This is such an exciting opportunity for two New Zealand writers” says Maggie Tarver, CEO of The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.). “The idea grew following the success of the NZSA/Pindar Publishing Prize in 2010. This offered a print publication and it seemed a natural progression to move into e-publishing in the current environment. I approached Kobo with the idea of publishing a book, and they were so enthused by the idea they wanted to offer not one but two publication opportunities – one for fiction and one for non-fiction. We are delighted with this opportunity to work closely with Kobo and to offer this amazing opportunity to New Zealand writers. I urge everyone to send in their work – this could be the beginning of something wonderful.”

Win the opportunity to have your book professionally published through the Kobo Writing Life Platform and sold throughout New Zealand. Two prizes are offered – not one! Publication for a non-fiction and a fiction manuscript is available sponsored by Kobo and administered by The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.), each prize is worth over $10,000.

Background

The NZ Authors established a print publishing prize in 2010 in order to create an opportunity for a New Zealand writer. This unique award was for an unpublished manuscript to be taken through to a published form and offered for sale in print form throughout New Zealand. The NZ Authors is delighted to be able offer the prize again in 2013 for two unpublished manuscripts to be published in e-book format through the Kobo Writing Life platform and offered for sale throughout New Zealand. Sponsored by Kobo the award is administered by the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZ Authors).

Aim of the Award

The award offers digital publication through the Kobo Writing Life Platform for two previously unpublished manuscripts - one fiction and one non-fiction. The purpose of this award is to create opportunity for authors to publish their work to a professional standard and to offer it for sale through trade channels in New Zealand. The award also aims to recognise excellence in creative writing and create a launching pad for writers’ careers.

Key Dates

Applications open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .….…. May 2013
Applications close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .... ….July 2013
Shortlist announced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …. September 2013
Online voting begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ….. ..October 2013
Online voting closes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….. .. … October 2013
Winner announced. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... … November 2013
Book launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …………March 2014

ENDS

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