Matuku wins inaugural NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) (NZSA) has announced Steph Matuku as the inaugural winner of the $5000 NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award.

Matuku, who has written seven books for young people, will use the award to work on the adult novel manuscript ‘The Blue Dawn’, which NZSA describes as ‘a novel set in early 19th century New Zealand, when the whaling industry was at its peak’. ‘Māori mythology and tradition collide with capitalism and brutal progress, as a grieving fugitive hunts the giant octopus that will lead her to her ancestors’ homeland.’

Judges Paula Morris and Catherine Robertson said: ‘This is Steph Matuku’s first adult novel, and we thought the concept shows great promise. Steph is a hard-working writer and will make good use of this grant.’

This new 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’.

Discussing the first year of the award, Morris and Robertson added: ‘The number of applications shows how much need there is for an award like this. Authors often struggle at the mid-career point, and if they cannot find the right acknowledgment and support, may decide to give up.’

More information about the award is available on the NZSA website.

Category: Awards Local news