 Kia ora,
I’m just back from a great bookish weekend in Auckland for the Bookseller’s Association conference and, of course, the Montana Book Awards which were announced on Monday night. The Book Council would like to congratulate all the highly deserving winners of this year’s Montana Awards, as well as the organizers of what was a wonderful night for New Zealand literature.
Last week also saw the annual Montana Poetry day which showcased a host of poetic events up and down the country. As this annual event is rapidly turning into our national poetry day it is a great opportunity to acknowledge the wealth of poetic talent in New Zealand. Nothing illustrates this more than the appointment of New Zealand's Poet Laureate, which took place on July 22 at the National Library and saw Cilla McQueen appointed the role. Our warmest congratulations to Cilla and we wish her every success in championing her art over the coming two years.
Best wishes, Noel
Celebrating the World of NZ Books
 Library Week 2009 is fast approaching, with a host of fantastic events and competitions on offer! Highlights will include the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards Ceremony – Monday 11th August, when the winners of the 2009 LIANZA Children’s Book Awards will be announced at special ceremony in Wellington. Also don't miss NZ’s Biggest Storytime – Wednesday 12th August at 10.30am, when libraries all over New Zealand will be simultaneously reading aloud Itiiti’s Gift (Reed, 2006) by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Fifi Colston.
This year's Library Week theme is Escape, Explore, Discover - Ki te whai ao, ki te ao marama, and other events include Living Heritage Day, Love Your Library Day, Living Libraries, a programme which twists the concept of a traditional library, the Graphic Novel Competition, and the 'Love Your Library' Video Competition. For more information see our events listings, and visit the Library Week website.
Awa Press Young Designer of the Year: Carolyn Lewis, Spencer Levine and Keely O’Shannessy are the three young book designers who have been nominated for this new award. Awa Press Young Designer of the Year, is aimed at encouraging young designers, aged 35 years or under, to develop their careers in book design, and is one of several design awards run by the Book Publishers Association of New Zealand (BPANZ) in association with the New Zealand Listener. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony held 3 September at the Arts Lounge, Auckland Art Gallery. The BPANZ Book Design Awards cover a range of categories and promotes excellence in, and provides recognition for, the best book design in New Zealand.
Storylines Family Days: Enjoy one of the Storylines Festival Free Family Days - meet authors and illustrators, listen to stories, make crafts, join in activities and e nter competitions. Something for the whole family.
Download a programme for:
Wellington Family Day 23 August
Christchurch Family Day 23 August
Kerikeri Family Day 29 August
Auckland Family Day 30 August
New Zealand Book Month: New Zealand Book Month is set to pick up steam this October with two new sponsors on board, TV coverage and a host of activities planned across the country. It’s all about Our Stories this year and the team are looking forward to it being a cracker. And as always there’ll be competitions and prizes a plenty. If you’d like to get involved or hear more go to the website and get ready for more announcements.
Book Council member offer from Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is now performing the spectacular new show Dralion at Alexandra Park until 23 August.
The show is a fusion of ancient Chinese circus tradition and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil. Dralion's name is drawn from its two main symbols - the dragon, representing the East, and the lion, representing the West.
Cirque du Soleil is excited to offer New Zealand Book Council members a saving of up to $20 on tickets to Dralion. Click here to purchase your tickets now - offer ends Friday 31 July.
(Sorry about the late notice, we have had several technical issues with this newsletter).
Ever wondered what your kids could write with a bit of advice from New Zealand’s top writers? You have a chance to find out at a one-off special event the New Zealand Book Council is holding in Wellington for intermediate students this term.
Tessa Duder, Gavin Bishop, Melinda Szymanik, Maria Gill, Mandy Hager and Ruth Paul are looking forward to leading “speed dating” workshops on this day, making it an unmissable experience for your promising writers. These writers will talk to five groups of up to 10 students for 15 minutes each about a key aspect of writing, with Iona McNaughton leading a final session about how to edit your own work.
If you are an intermediate or full primary school in or near Wellington, email Sarah Forster at education@bookcouncil.org.nz to learn more, and to request an enrolment form. There is a small entry cost of $10 per student, but you don't need to be a Book Council member to be a part of this event.
Five quick questions for Alison Wong
Alison Wong's debut novel, As the Earth Turns Silver, continues to recieve national and international praise. Well known as a poet, Alison Wong's 2006 collection of verse, Cup, was shortlisted in the poetry category of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards.
We have two copies of her debut book, As the Earth Turns Silver, to give away this issue. Please see further details on the right-hand sidebar.
Alison Wong talks with Susanna Andrew about her latest book and more...
In what ways has the process of having your first novel published surprised yo u?
The most surprising thing about both writing the novel and having it published has been the belief that others have had in me, their support, and now the amazing publicity and reception the novel has received. So many very good writers don't get the recognition or support they deserve, yet when I had written only a few thousand words and then throughout the process, people gave me writing grants/fellowships and/or wanted to represent or publish it. I found that a little scary and a huge responsibility. I knew I could write good 'bits', but I didn't know whether I could bring it all together as a well-written whole. But that sense of responsibility also helped me to persevere when I was struggling.
What are you working on now?
I have to finish writing up a talk I gave earlier in the year at the 'Localising Asia in NZ' conference at the University of Otago. I write a poem here and there and I'm contemplating the next novel, but the release of As the Earth Turns Silver has required a lot of my time and energy and has made it difficult to get enough head/heart space for big new projects. I'm really looking forward to being within the next novel, scary though it seems.
Which New Zealand writer has had a strong influence on you?
Probably the single moment in my life that has had the most impact on me as a writer was when my English teacher gave me Owls Do Cry to read when I was about 13. I did not come from a family that read literature and I knew nothing about writers and writing. I'd pretty much only read books from the library about the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, etc, and I hadn't particularly related to the books we studied at school. Suddenly my eyes were opened to poetic prose and emotional/imaginative intensity. So in that respect, I'd have to say, Janet Frame.
Which writers do you most admire?
 In many ways I believe who you are as a person and how you live your life in consideration of others is more important than what you 'achieve' in the eyes of the world. So when you ask about who I admire, it would matter not just about the quality of their writing but how they live and how they treat others. However, as I don't know about private lives I shall answer in terms of writing alone, and also from a position of ignorance as I am not well-enough read. I love the poetry of Robert Hass for its sensuality, spirituality, emotional intensity, tenderness and beauty. For many of the same reasons, one of the novels I have read which I greatly admire is This Blinding Absence of Light by Tahar Ben Jelloun, translated from the French by Linda Coverdale. It is the only novel I have read by him but the poetry of the first two pages stunned me and I greatly admired the lack of bitterness despite so much suffering. I like Michael Ondaatje's writing too.
What’s on your bedside table right now?
Too much mess. I'll feel wonderful when my life is decluttered! Ha! But there's always the bedside lamp, the clock/radio (for listening to Radio NZ National) and usually contact lens stuff, coke-bottle-like old glasses for when I don't want to put the contacts in yet, and books either on, or if there isn't enough room, beside the table. The current books are Michael Ondaaje's Anil's Ghost, Charlotte Grimshaw's Singularity, and a whole bunch of poetry books that Picador UK sent me.
Writing Competition and Award Applications open
Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards applications open
The annual Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards are underway for 2009. Now in their 25th year the Short Story Awards were started to help encourage and recognise the talents of New Zealand writers. Closing date 28 August 2009. For more details visit the website.
One-Day Short Story Competition
Judged by Kate De Goldi, Gavin Bishop and Sally Blundell, this fast-paced story-writing competition is open to two age-groups, 13-17yrs and adults. Sunday, 2 August 2009 - Registration 9.30am - Christchurch Art Gallery.
Edge of the Universe
The 2009 Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing competition invites you to write 2-300 words about the place - past or present or future - of human beings in the universe. The two categories are fiction and non-fiction. A cash prize of $2500 will be awarded to the winner of each category.The closing date for entries is Tuesday 22 September 2009. For more information, terms and conditions and entry forms visit the website or contact: Danae Staples-Moon, Tel. 04 470 5770 or Email: danae@royalsociety.org.nz
Dan Davin Literary Foundation Short Story Writing Competition
The Dan Davin Literary Foundation promotes and supports creative writing in Southland. Last year the Dan Davin Award for Poetry attracted well over 100 entries. This year’s short story award, judged by Owen Marshall, is sure to be popular. Word limit: 4,000 words. Entries close 31 July 2009. For an entry form contact dandavin@xtra.co.nz or visit the Invercargill Public LIbrary. Winners announced 4 September 2009.
Betty Gilderdale Award
Formerly known as the Children's Literature Association's Award for Services to Children's Literature, the Betty Gilderdale Award was renamed in 2000 to honour Betty Gilderdale, a founding member of the Children's Literature Association of New Zealand. Applications close 31st August, and winners will be announced 4 September 2009.
New Title from University of Auckland's Fiction Writers
Spectrum 6 is the latest in a series of collections showcasing the talent of the University of Auckland’s emerging fiction writers. It is an annual project initiated in 2004 by acclaimed writer and English Professor Witi Ihimaera. The 2009 collection traverses a wild cultural and emotional landscape and is described by Ihimaera as a ‘fresh, passionate and fertile’ contribution to the ‘great act of sovereignty’ that is writing.
Spectrum 6 is available at the University Book Shop, online at www.fishpond.co.nz and in bookshops throughout Auckland and Wellington. RRP. $20.00. Or for the special price of $15 at the Spectrum 6 launch on Thursday the 27th of August between 6-8pm at Allelujah café, St Kevin’s Arcade, K’ Road, Auckland. All welcome.
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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. |
Winners of the five double passes to Fugitive Pieces were: Colleen McClymont, Gillian Tewsley, Luigi and Fiona Sussman, Pat Leberman, and Ro Cambridge.
Copies of get some (Auckland University Press) were won by Pat McKenzie, and Ro Cambridge.
Copies of Were-nana (Scholastic NZ) were won by Haley Fenwick, and Linley Murray
Alison Wong is winning praise for her debut  novel and has already established a reputation as one of New Zealand's finest poets. We have two copies of her new novel As the Earth Turns Silver to give away this month.
Please enter by emailing reception@bookcouncil.org.nz, with the name of the title in the subject line and your address in the body of the email. Entries must be received by 12 noon on Friday 7 August to be in the draw.
Listen up! On a more polite note, with the host of quality poetry available at our fingertips on the web I thought I’d focus here on what’s available to the ears.
There is the comprehensive Aotearoa New Zealand Poetry Sound Archive, which has readings, performances and biographical details about a host of NZ authors. Also check out the nzepc website for Seeing Voices, another great sound and visual anthology.
There is Michelle Leggott’s NZ’s Poet Laureate blog, with a few sound recording links listed alongside poems, events and inspired observations. I’d also recommend the international Poetry Archive which features recordings of several NZ poets.
New Zealand's Poet Laureate 2009-2011 has been announced and Southland's own Cilla McQueen has been appointed the role. The New Zealand Poet Laureate Award is administered by the National Library of New Zealand and is awarded every two years.
The winners of the Montana New Zealand Book Awards have been announced. Emily Perkins took out the Montana Medal for Fiction or Poetry with her novel, Novel about My Wife (Bloomsbury). Jill Trevelyan won the Montana Medal for Non-Fiction with her biographical art book, Rita Angus: An Artist’s Life (Te Papa Press), as well as winning the Bookseller's Choice award for the same book at the Industry Awards. Meanwhile, the Reader's Choice Award went to Kate De Goldi for The Ten PM Question (Longacre Press) For the full list of winners, please go through to the press release on our site.
The CNZ Berlin Writer's Residency
has gone to Auckland-born writer James McNeish, author of several acclaimed novels. He will spend a year in Berlin from September 2009
The University of Auckland/Creative New Zealand Writer-in-Residence at the Michael King Writers’ Centre has been awarded to Wellington poet, novelist and critic, Ian Wedde. His six month writer’s residency will start July.
The Big 'A' Winton and Margaret Bear Young Artist Award 2009 has been awarded to Mary Dennis, a talented young writer who has experienced chronic depression since she was nine, was recognised on 6 July at the Big ‘A’ Awards 2009, presented at Parliament by Arts Access Aotearoa.
Massey University is marking this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Maori (Maori Language Week) by celebrating excellence in Maori publishing. Books on Maori topics published in 2008 or 2009 have been reviewed and shortlisted for the University’s inaugural Ngä Kupu Ora Book Awards. Voting closes on July 29.
Auckland, Poetry Live
Every Tuesday, 8.00pm
Anybody wanting to keep up with Poetry Live can now do so at http://poetrylivelines.blogspot.com/.
Katherine Mansfield Birthplace lecture - Lloyd Geering
Wednesday 5 August, Wellington
The next lecture in the series of 'censured books of scandalous notoriety' is by Emeritus Professor Lloyd Geering who is talking about 'Ecclesiastes', The Bible, at 12.30pm at the Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Rd, Thorndon.
Library Week: New Zealand's Biggest Storytime
Wednesday 12 August, nationwide
At 10.30am on Wednesday 12th August children, librarians, parents and teachers will gather in libraries all across the country for this very special Library Week event. The story they will be reading this year is Itiiti's Gift by New Zealand author Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Fifi Colston. This title is available in english or te reo.
Library Week: Living Heritage Day
Thursday 13 August, nationwide
Living Heritage is an online bilingual (Māori-English) initiative that enables New Zealand schools to develop and publish an online resource, based on a heritage treasure in their community.On Living Heritage Day public libraries around New Zealand will team up with local schools to celebrate our culture and heritage, by showcasing schools stories and sharing learning journeys.
Contact your public library to find out what they have planned for Living Heritage Day.
Library Week: Love your library Day
Friday 14 August, nationwide
Libraries across the country will be celebrating Love Your Library Day with special themed exhibitions, displays, events and give-aways.
Find out what events your local library has planned and be sure to get involved… you never know, you might find the book of your dreams!
Writers Read Series: Tusiata Avia
Friday 21 August, Palmerston North
The series aims to give readers a chance to meet writers in a relaxed environment over a glass of wine and hear them read from their work. Tusiata Avia will perform some of her poetry at this event. Palmerston North City Library, 7-9pm 21st August.
The Wanganui Literary Festival
12 - 19 September, Wanganui
A writers and readers festival with a lifestyle theme. Enjoy a wide range of talks, discussions, readings and live performances by a selection of New Zealand's best writers. Go to their website for more information.
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