New Zealand Book Council

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Bernard Beckett
Playing with the rules of YA gravity
Feature Interview by Rachel O'Neill

Bernard Beckett has never been shy about sharing his views on young adult (YA) literature and what it means to write for this audience. Nor does he shy from exploring the latest scientific developments in his books, or age-old philosophical questions. I spoke with him about his 'philosophical thriller', August, which is published next week, almost five years after the publication of the much-celebrated Genesis.

In fact, the question and quote that prefaced Genesis lingered in my mind as I read August: ‘Is the soul more than the hum of its parts?’ I was pleased to have been rightfully (or at least instinctually) linking the two books. Beckett is currently working on a new novel. He explained, ‘[It’s] called Lullaby, and is essentially the third in a series of three, if you think of Genesis and August being the first two. They're both thought experiments, really, and so is this one. They ask questions about our conceptions of consciousness and free will respectively, and Lullaby looks at our notions of death.’

August is described as 'part philosophical thriller, part love story,' so I asked if he thought young adult readers were particularly open to challenging and gratifying reading experiences, that the two shouldn't be mutually exclusive. 'I don't think of the two being exclusive,' he said. ‘A lot of what we see and hear about teenagers has been filtered through an adult sensibility. We talk of them being impulsive, irrational, the victims of their hormones, and so forth. For me, the defining characteristic of the teenager is their curiosity. The long rot of adulthood hasn't yet set in, they're still open to, and excited by, new possibilities.

‘I think one of the reasons they're open to having their world view challenged is that it isn't really their view at all, they're still in the process of building it, and the more they see common conceptions challenged, the more free they feel in the construction of their own understanding.’

Did he undertake wide-ranging research I asked, for both books? ‘Yes and no. I have done a lot of reading in the areas covered, but to a large extent the reading led to the novel being written, rather than being a case of wanting to write the novel, and therefore going out and doing the reading. With August, I revisited a lot of the free will stuff, and as my understanding developed, so did aspects of the novel.’

August probes the limits of rhetorical argument, and I wanted to know how far Beckett thought the right question, at the right time, could take a person, an argument, an important choice. Not surprisingly, being a secondary school teacher, his response also referenced the contemporary teenage reader. ‘The right question, at the right time, is tremendously important, but the limit of enquiry is to some extent set by the current intellectual context. I don't hold with this sort of Socratic ideal that we can uncover the truth just by questioning. It doesn't matter how curious you are, you're not going to independently discover calculus. I'm still a great fan of the information dump, and it is one way new technology has given a head start to the current generation of teens. In order to sensibly ask a question, or frame a response to it, you have to know a lot of stuff, and I think in education we're going through a phase of undervaluing intellectual context.’

If you bumped into Tristan (one of August's main characters) at the supermarket, I asked, what would his first words to you be?

“What happened next?”

And your first words to him?

“I don't know.”
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Bernard Beckett is an award-winning author of children’s and young adult fiction, and a secondary-school teacher whose knowledge of teenage culture is reflected in his credible adolescent characters. He won France’s prestigious 2010 Prix Sorcieres for his novel Genesis. If you would like to read the full interview with Bernard Beckett, head to our Readers section.

Five Easy Questions with Joy Cowley

The Book Council asks celebrated New Zealand author Joy Cowley Five Easy Questions about her recent memoir, her young readers, and her forthcoming Janet Frame Memorial Lecture.

1. What did you enjoy most about writing your memoir, Navigation?
Seeing that the answer to 'What is the meaning of life?' is simply growth, and that all of experience contributes to that.

2. What are some of the best questions young readers have asked you about your writing?
The best question came from a 9-year-old boy in Alabama: 'How do you know when an idea is a good one?'. The hardest question came from a 6-year-old boy: 'How come you like little kids?'.

3. Do you always finish a book, even if you’re not engaged by it?
No. I have to be engaged in it. A work that has no emotional involvement will drop dead on the screen, and it will inevitably find the trash icon.

4. What is it like preparing for the Janet Frame Memorial Lecture?
It has been a warm 'whanau' experience, involving interviews with people who are involved in some way with children's literature in New Zealand. This has made a welcome addition to personal experience and research.

5. What’s on your bedside table at the moment?
Ann Tyler's Noah's Compass and a volume of poetry by Catullus.

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Joy Cowley is a prolific, widely published and much-celebrated writer of fiction for adults and children. She has published numerous novels, as well as short stories in journals, anthologies and in book-length collections. Joy Cowley was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children's literature in 2005. Her memoir, Navigation, was published in 2010 (Penguin NZ). She will deliver the Janet Frame Memorial Lecture in Wellington on March 3.

Book Council News

Our thoughts go out to the people of Christchurch

From all of us here at the Book Council, our thoughts go out to all who have been affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

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True Stories Told Live kicks off in 2011

The New Zealand Book Council will gather another talented, literate and entertaining bunch of people to tell their true stories at a special New Zealand Book Month event. Seven speakers will tell seven unique stories on a theme inspired by the brilliant William Brandt book The Book of the Film of the Story of My Life. Our theme will be: 'The story of the book of the film of the book of my life'. Confirmed speakers include Ian Wedde, Anne Kennedy, Sarah Laing, Scott Hamilton, and Linn Lorkin.

‘True Stories Told Live. Amazing to be in presence of people remembering, shaping stories in the moment. Funny, awkward, moving, beautiful . . .' @emilyjperkins

Event Details: True Stories Told Live, 7.30pm (bar open at 7pm) March 20th at Tapac. Tickets: $10.00. Door sales unless sold out prior. For all media and further information, please contact Susanna Andrew: communications@bookcouncil.org.nz or 0211518826.

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New to the Book Council Board
The Book Council warmly welcomes Liz Knowles to the Book Council Board. Liz brings with her a wealth of knowledge of the library and information sector. She is the Head of Marketing Services at Dunedin Public Libraries and manages a talented small team of specialists. Liz has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and Diploma in Visual Communication Design, and has been involved in bringing people, places and creative ideas together for over 15 years. Her background includes event management, sponsorship and public relations in the arts and educational sectors.

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Remembering Judith Binney

Dame Judith Binney, one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary writers and historians, has died after a long illness. The Book Council offers its sincere condolences to her friends and family. Dame Judith’s publisher and friend, Bridget Williams, surveys her brilliant career on the New Zealand Booksellers website here.

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Coming soon to www.bookcouncil.org.nz

A new destination on New Zealand's favourite books website - an ideas depot brimming with comment, opinion, reviews, news and bookchat, regularly refreshed and inviting you to participate. For breaking news about the launch of this exciting, fresh addition to the booksphere, keep an eye on forthcoming monthly e-newsletters.

Join in New Zealand Book Month

More than 200 events will take place during New Zealand Book Month this March. You can check out what’s happening in your area by heading to the Events section of the Book Month website. Book Month aims to encourage as many Kiwis as possible to celebrate books and reading, and it's the perfect time to pick up a recommended read, share a favourite book with your friends and family, and encourage colleagues to start a book club. You can also take part in Buy a NZ Book Day by purchasing a book by a New Zealand author on March 5th.

Residency and competition applications

Please note this is only a sample of literary opportunities from the news page on our website:

Literary Journal STARCH Inaugural Issue submissions open

Kilmog Press is pleased to announce the launch of its hardback literary journal, STARCH. For Volume One, the editors are concentrating on New Zealand writers and invite submissions by email: starcheditors@gmail.com. Publication of Volume One is expected in late March, submissions close 1st of March 2011. For more information please visit the Kilmog Press blog.

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Commonwealth Short Story Competition

The Commonwealth Short Story Competition is an annual scheme to promote new creative writing for radio, funded and administered by the Commonwealth Foundation and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. The competition calls for entries that are original, unpublished, in English, no more than 600 words in length, and on any subject. The winner receives a prize of £2000 and there are four regional prizes of £500.

In 2011 there will also be two special prizes of £500 each; one for the best short story for children, and the other for the best short story about this year’s Commonwealth theme, ‘Women as Agents of Change’. The 2011 Commonwealth Short Story Competition is open for entry via the website from 15 January to 1 March 2011.

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Submissions are now being called for the 2011 LIANZA Children’s Book Awards

These awards, funded by LIANZA, are an opportunity for the library profession to encourage the quality work of New Zealand children’s authors who help individuals, and thereby communities, to flourish and grow. The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards book awards include, The Esther Glen Award: The LIANZA Young Adult Fiction Award; The Russell Clark Award; The Elsie Locke Award (previously the LIANZA Young People’s Non-fiction Award), and Te Kura Pounamu. For more information about the awards and key dates, please visit the LIANZA website.

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Unique Opportunity for NZ Publishers and Authors to get into Ebooks

Copyright Licensing Ltd (CLL) and Creative New Zealand have come together to give New Zealand Publishers and authors a unique opportunity to have books they have previously published in print converted in to ebooks, and made available to readers in New Zealand and throughout the world. A conversion fund of $100,000 has been established, and applications are now being sought for titles that have literary merit and cultural importance, and are ones that New Zealanders will want to read in digital form.

The applications will be reviewed by a selection panel of made up of representatives of the New Zealand literary sector. Once the ebooks are completed, they will be made available to purchase from http://www.greatnzebooks.co.nz/.

For more information please visit the Copyright Licensing website.

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Storylines announces registration for Margaret Mahy Day now open

Join Storylines for a wonderful morning of celebrating children's literature in New Zealand, including the Storylines Awards presentations, and hear this year's Margaret Mahy Medal Award winner, Kate De Goldi, deliver her lecture.

This year Storylines is offering an optional lunch at the conclusion of the morning. Bookings close for the lunch on Sunday 13 March, so book today to avoid disappointment. Please visit our website to register, and for more information.
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The New Zealand Book Council receives core funding from Creative New Zealand. We are extremely grateful to our funding partners, who enable us to deliver our programmes. We also value your membership, which supports our work in schools and communities throughout New Zealand.

Bernard Beckett: Playing with the rules of YA gravity
Five easy questions with Joy Cowley
Book Council News
Coming soon to www.bookcouncil.org.nz
New Zealand Book Month events
Residency and competition applications
Booknotes subscription
Watch out for
Literary Prizes
What's on

Congratulations to Bev Wills (Tauranga), and N. Porter (Wellington), who have each won a signed copy of A Century of Library Life in Aotearoa: Te Rau Herenga, by author and historian Julia Millen.

This m

onth we are giving away three sets of two novels by Bernard Beckett, Genesis and August. Courtesy of Text Publishing.

Enter by emailing reception@bookcouncil.org.nz with the name of the book in the subject line, and your New Zealand postal address in the body of the email. Entries must be received by 12 noon on Monday 7th of March.

Each month an industry specialist tells us about three books they're looking forward to seeing in the bookshops in the weeks ahead.

Following John McIntyre and Ruth McIntyre's recommendations in last month's e-newsletter, Felicity O'Driscoll gives us her pick of upcoming publications. Felicity owns Cook the Books on Ponsonby Road in Auckland with husband Michael O’Driscoll.

Murdoch Books will be releasing Turkey - Recipes from the Road, by New Zealand born author Leanne Kitchen. Leanne, an accomplished chef and photographer, travelled through Turkey, capturing the diverse cuisines and culinary customs of regional Turkey. Not your standard Turkish fare; vegetables are grilled, meats are spiced, and desserts are layers of delicious pastry.

David Bateman is bringing us For the Love of Chocolate - a kiwi indulgence, by Stephanie Everitt, the owner of award winning Devonport Chocolates. Stephanie shares her infinite knowledge of all things chocolate. With helpful practical tips and delicious recipes, this book is a great gift idea.

Random House has Taste of a Traveller, the book from the first winner of New Zealand MasterChef, Brett McGregor. Inspired by Brett's many years of overseas travel, this book will inspire you to expand your horizons in the kitchen. Beautifully photographed, with recipes that should be easily achieved in any kiwi kitchen.

Author, publisher and broadcaster Kate De Goldi is the 2011 winner of the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award, recognising her distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature.
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This year's Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship has been awarded to fiction writer Sue Orr, and fellow fiction writer and Sunday Star-Times assistant editor Mark Broatch. They will each spend five months at the Sargeson Centre, and receive a $20,000 grant.
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The South East Asia and Pacific regional shortlist for the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize includes several New Zealand authors: Craig Cliff and Whiti Hereaka were shortlisted for Best First Book, as well as New Zealand born Stephen Daisley, who now lives in Perth. Lloyd Jones and Patrick Evans were shortlisted for Best Book.
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Lyttelton author Ben Brown has been awarded the Maori Writer’s Residency at the Michael King Writers’ Centre for 2011. Ben Brown participates in the Book Council's Writers in Schools programme, and is known for his children’s books, non-fiction and for his short stories.
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Two New Zealand titles, both originally published by Longacre, have been selected for the 2011 USBBY Outstanding International Books List. They are Kate De Goldi’s The 10pm Question and James Norcliffe’s The Boy Who could Fly (NZ title The Loblolly Boy).
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Playwright Michelanne Forster has been selected for The University of Auckland/Creative New Zealand residency at the Michael King Writers’ Centre from July this year. The residency comes with $30,000 in stipend and salary, together with free accommodation and a studio working space at the Michael King Writers’ Centre for six months.
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Eleanor Catton has been shortlisted for Amazon.ca First Novel Award. 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of the annual prize, which has been awarded to some of Canada's most famous writers.
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The 20 finalists in the 2011 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards have been announced across four categories – Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Fiction and Non-fiction. Judges, Ruth McIntyre, William Taylor, and Dee Brooker, will decide which book will take the New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year prize, and will choose winners from across the four categories, to be announced at an Awards Ceremony in Auckland on 18 May. The finalists are:

Picture Book Category:
Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark Sommerset, illustrated by Rowan Sommerset (Dreamboat Books)
A Dog Like That! by Janene Cooper, illustrated by Evie Kemp (Duck Creek Press)
Hill and Hole by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Vasanti Unka (Penguin Group NZ)
Marmaduke Duck and the Marmalade Jam by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Sarah Davis (Scholastic New Zealand)
The Moon & Farmer McPhee by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by David Elliot (Random House New Zealand)
Non-fiction Category:
The Kiwi Fossil Hunter's Handbook by James Crampton and Marianna Terezow (Random House New Zealand)
The life cycle of the Pukeko by Betty Brownlie (Scholastic New Zealand)
Sensational Survivors by Sandra Morris (Walker Books Australia)
Who's Cooking Tonight? by Claire Gourley & Glenda Gourley (Penguin Group NZ)
Zero Hour: The Anzacs on the Western Front by Leon Davidson (Text Publishing Company)
Junior Fiction Category:
Finnigan & the Pirates by Sherryl Jordan (Scholastic New Zealand)
The Haystack by Jack Lasenby (Harper Collins Publishers)
Hollie Chips by Anna Gowan (Scholastic New Zealand)
Shadow of the Boyd by Diana Menefy (Harper Collins Publishers)
Tussock by Elizabeth Pulford (Walker Books Australia)
Young Adult Fiction Category:
Ebony Hill by Anna Mackenzie (Random House New Zealand)
Fierce September by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (Allen & Unwin)
The Limping Man by Maurice Gee (Penguin Group NZ)
Smiling Jack by Ken Catran (Harper Collins Publishers)

Please note this is only a sample of events from the events page on our website:

Janet Frame Memorial Lecture, Wellington
3 March, 6.00pm
Held annually by the New Zealand Society of Authors, this lecture is delivered by the current President of Honour, and is intended to provide an overview of the “state of the nation” for literature and writing in New Zealand, such that the reading public may have a greater understanding of what it means to be a writer in New Zealand. This year’s President of Honour is Joy Cowley; the prolific, widely-published and much-celebrated writer for children who has enjoyed considerable commercial and critical success both at home and overseas. The 2011 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture will look at the influences that have brought home-produced children’s literature into the global spotlight.
Venue: The Marae, Te Papa, Wellington