NZ Society of Authors Waitangi Day Honours List

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Writers honoured with Waitangi Day
NZ Society of Authors Waitangi Day Honours List

February 6, 2015.

Three acclaimed kiwi novelists have been made Honorary Literary Fellows in the New Zealand Society of Authors' annual Waitangi Day Honours.

"As the country's largest writers' organisation, we believe it's important to celebrate significant literary achievements, especially on the international stage," said NZSA President, Kyle Mewburn. "Each year more and more kiwi writers are achieving exceptional things internationally, so it's a difficult process narrowing the nominations down to just three."

This year's recipients are Eleanor Catton, Phillip Mann and Anthony McCarten.

"Eleanor Catton's star continues to shine brightly with numerous short-listings and awards," said Mewburn. "But her advocacy for literature and her enthusiasm for supporting local writers through her own Horoeka/Lancewood Reading grants, are to be equally lauded."

"New Zealand's best known science fiction writer, Phillip Mann, also had a wonderful year with his latest work, The Disestablishment of Paradise being short-listed for both the Arthur C Clarke and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards."

"While novelist and screenwriter Anthony McCarten once again proved his versatility and cemented his international reputation with his screenplay for The Theory of Everything receiving both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations."

Ted Dawe, Martin Edmond, Owen Marshall and Damien Wilkins were the Honorary Literary Fellows in the inaugural Waitangi Day Honours List, 2014.

"Our Waitangi Day Honours are a relatively new initiative," Mewburn said. "But as the only writing awards bestowed by peers, we believe they'll quickly grow to become a highly regarded and prestigious honour."

ENDS

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