An Opportunity for Closet Writers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Monday 10th June 2013

An Opportunity for Closet Writers

For two budding authors their dreams of being published may have just become more realistic. The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.) in association with Kobo Writing Life have announced an opportunity for any New Zealand aspiring writers to send in their manuscripts to be e-published.

Two  manuscripts will be selected to be professionally published in e-book form through the Kobo Writing Life platform and offered for sale throughout New Zealand.

Anyone is eligible to enter a piece of writing, fiction or non-fiction, between 30,000 and 120,000 words. 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. 

Mark Lefebvre, Kobo’s Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations, wants to provide authors with resources to help make their dreams of being published more achievable, “Kobo Writing Life is all about removing barriers and providing authors with tools and resources to help get their best work into the market,” he believes the industry will benefit from working together with authors, “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.”

With a move to digital publishing faced by the industry, this opportunity will help authors to transition into the online environment.

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 This unique award was for an unpublished manuscript to be taken through to a published form and offered for sale in print form throughout New Zealand. The NZ Authors is delighted to be able offer the prize again in 2013 for two unpublished manuscripts to be published in e-book format through the Kobo Writing Life platform and offered for sale throughout New Zealand.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The award offers digital publication through the Kobo Writing Life Platform for two previously unpublished manuscripts - one fiction and one non-fiction.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.

So get that manuscript out of the bottom drawer, dust it off and send it in.  For more information on applications visit www.authors.org.nz.

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