2 New Literature Awards Announced For Kiwi Writers

11 May 2004

NEW LITERATURE AWARDS LAUNCHED FOR MIND, BODY, SPIRIT GENRE

The Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust, in association with the NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc), has launched two new literature awards totalling $20,000.

The two awards - one for an unpublished manuscript and one for a published book - aim to recognise excellence in authorship for literature in the mind, body and spirit, or 'new-age' genre.

A single award of $10,000 will be given to the winning author of the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript, and another single award of $10,000 will be awarded to the winner of the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Book Award.

Spokesperson for the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust, Adonia Wylie, says the purpose of the award is to encourage growth of the spiritual literature genre in New Zealand.

"Our Trust's founder Ashton Wylie was an Auckland businessman with spiritual awareness at the core of his interests, particularly in the area of personal development and positive relationships. In keeping with the objectives of our Trust, we have been working with the NZ Society of Authors for some time to establish these awards and now we're thrilled to announce them, and hope they further encourage New Zealand writers to embrace the genre of spiritual, new-age literature," says Mrs Wylie.

The team of judges for the two awards will include publisher Bob Ross, New Zealand author Richard Webster, Ashton Wylie trustee Adonia Wylie, and editor and publisher Philip Bradbury.

To be eligible for the awards, authors must be New Zealand citizens residing here. Unpublished manuscripts must be submitted by 31 May 2004, and be between 20,000 and 100,000 words in length. Published books must be submitted by 30 June, should be 48 pages or longer, and must have been published between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust's own venue - Hopetoun Alpha in Auckland - on August 20.

Submission forms and entry details are available from the NZ Society of Author's national office nzsa@clear.net.nz or via post, PO Box 67-013, Mt Eden, Auckland.

ENDS

© Scoop Media