Announcement from the Royal Society of New Zealand

Wednesday 17 December 2008

New Royal Society Of New Zealand Science Book Prize For Writers And Publishers

The Royal Society of New Zealand, our national science academy, has established a popular science book prize; the winner is to be announced at the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival on Friday 15 May.

The prize is $10,000 for the author/s and $2500 for the publisher. Submissions close on Thursday 5 February 2009. See www.royalsociety.org.nz for entry conditions and an application form.

The judges are: Professor Jean Fleming, University of Otago; Associate Professor Harry Ricketts, Victoria University of Wellington; and Professor Brian Boyd, The University of Auckland. The short-list will be announced at the end of March.

The definition of popular science books, for the purpose of this prize, is: books about science which do not require a specialist knowledge in the subject of the book in order to be read, enjoyed and understood. Reference and children's books, and books which are essentially illustrative, will not be eligible for the prize, but the judges will accept books of fiction, poetry or drama, provided the central focus is on science.

The Royal Society of New Zealand regards popular science books as a very effective and interesting way for people to learn about science. Says Chief Executive, Dr Di McCarthy, "The standard of science books published recently in New Zealand is very high; we want to reward and encourage publishers and writers, and support their books in the marketplace."

ENDS