NZ BOOK MONTH: SIX PACK WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The six winning writers in The Six Pack Two, an annual anthology of six pieces of new writing published to celebrate NZ Book Month, were announced yesterday at the launch of NZ Book Month 2007 at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. A NZ Book Month competition led to the selection of the six pieces in the anthology.

The winning authors are a mix of established and emerging writers: Charlotte Grimshaw: one of New Zealand’s most successful and promising writers, currently short listed for the world’s richest short fiction prize the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award, Dave Armstrong: scriptwriter and currently writer in residence at Victoria University, Elizabeth Smither: poet, novelist and former Te Mata Estate Poet Laureate, Tracey Slaughter: emerging novelist and poet, new authors Faith Oxenbridge and Jennifer Lane (profiles below).

The Associate Minister of Cultural Affairs and Heritage Mahara Okeroa presented each author with their prize money of $5,000 at the launch.The author’s identities were kept secret as their entries were judged by a public online poll and a panel of judges including author and literary legend Dame Fiona Kidman, presenter of TV2's 20/20 programme Miriama Kamo, journalist and media personality Finlay Macdonald, retiring Director of Auckland University Press Elizabeth Caffin, and Joan Mackenzie, Book Manager for Whitcoulls.

Miriama Kamo says, “The Six Pack is a rare forum in which writers at varying stages of their careers can share a space, and at $6 per book can access a wide audience. NZ Book Month is a wonderful time where we get to honour writers whose work reflects, and helps to shape, our national identity.”30,000 copies of The Six Pack Two will be published.

Three complimentary copies have been donated to every secondary school and public library in the country, and it will be for sale at all good bookstores for only $6 during the month. The Project Director of NZ Book Month, Phil Twyford says, “NZ Book Month’s Six Pack is now an annual feature on the New Zealand writing calendar. It offers a contemporary look at the state of New Zealand writing. Want to know what’s on New Zealand’s mind? - read The Six Pack Two. At only $6 it’s our shout.”“There will be over 150 book-related events happening all over the country this Book Month so there’s plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involved and be a part of celebrating New Zealand’s books and writers.”NZ Book Month, from 3-30 September 2007, is a month long celebration of NZ books and NZ writers which aims to get more New Zealanders reading New Zealand books and to inspire book lovers all over the country.

Visit http://www.nzbookmonth.co.nz/ to explore how NZ Book Month has something for everyone.