New $5000 award for Aotearoa NZ writers

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) has announced a new NZ$5000 award for Aotearoa NZ writers.

The NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award, established by novelist Tina Shaw, is designed ‘to encourage the development of great novels by mid-career fiction writers who are working on a new project’. ‘The newly created award is intended not only to offer the recipient the freedom that money brings but also to increase the chances of a mid-career writer being recognised as a “good business prospect” to be welcomed by publishers,’ the NZSA said.

Discussing the establishment of the award, Shaw said that ‘New Zealand writers frequently express the feeling that their mid-career progress is slower than that of new writers, who can more readily garner media interest for their publications.’

The winner will be chosen by Shaw, in consultation with a judging panel, which will put together a shortlist from entries received. More information about the new award is on the NZ Society of Authors website.

Category: Local news