Poetry In The Naughties

Wellington, New Zealand, September 17, 2008

Bookhabit.com and the New Zealand Poetry Society announced today that they will host an online international poetry competition celebrating written and performance poetry. The inclusion of an audio and youtube video section, made possible by the online nature of the competition, will bring the poetry alive and broaden its reach to a new audience and generation.

Bookhabit.com's Managing Director Clare Tanner said that the competition will showcase local and overseas poets, and aid the Renaissance of poetry, taking poetry to new audiences through the internet. "Performance poetry is a moving experience that most people have never had the opportunity to be a part of. We are also looking to connect with a new generation of poets, capturing their attention in the youtube video section. This competition will open a door to the art form of poetry and widen a poet's audience. Poetry was always meant to be read and performed, but we were constrained by the medium of print. The Internet can bring poetry to the people, and let them tell their own stories to a much wider audience, in a much more compelling way than previously possible."

Laurice Gilbert, President of the New Zealand Poetry Society, said, "It's a wonderful opportunity for us, as a volunteer organisation, to combine with the resources of Bookhabit.com to take poetry in new directions. We are excited about being part of an internet presence that draws attention to poetry, and includes emerging New Zealand poets in an international setting."

Wellington-based online international talent and casting agency StarNow.com will provide talent for poets that are too shy to perform their own works. "Our partnership with StarNow brings benefits to both communities - poets and performers. Undiscovered poets can have their works brought to life by real talent, and undiscovered actors can really make their mark bringing poetry alive. It is another example of the power of collaboration in the burgeoning Wellington IT scene," Tanner said.

Poets will be able to enter their written poems, as well as audio or video clips of their poems. Poems can be uploaded and viewed on the www.bookhabit.com website starting 22 September. Entries are open to all ages for six weeks. The competition offers prizes to the winners of up to US$1000 (NZ$1500).

Bookhabit.com is an online community connecting authors and readers. Bookhabit enables authors to post works online free of charge, in an online library of works available to readers all over the world. The site includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays and scripts, and can potentially include any publishable work. Bookhabit readers can sample a book, with a free first chapter, before they buy.

The New Zealand Poetry Society is an incorporated non-profit organisation which aims to advance education by promoting, developing and supporting poetry and poets in New Zealand.

Starnow.com is an international online talent and casting agency. StarNow.com is a service enabling advertisers such as television production companies, advertising agencies, theatres, event promotion companies and other advertisers operating in the entertainment industry to place classified advertisements in an online publication. The StarNow.com online talent community allows members to create personalised profiles with photos, videos & mp3s, network with other performers, apply to casting calls, and access industry interviews and advice.

ENDS