“With just five months to go – and five busy months that include Christmas, summer holidays AND the start of the new school year – it’s time to start planning in earnest.” says Beth Davies, National Co-ordinator.
The new, easy-to-navigate site is designed as a resource for everyone interested in organising book events in celebration of NZ Book Month. Firstly however, the NZBM team is asking readers across the country to go online and vote for their five favourite books, and encouraging voters to share their story of the book that changed their life. Voting is open until the end of October, and reader votes will then be collated into a series of reading recommendations for New Zealand Book Month in March 2011.
Nikki Crowther, Project Director, explains more: “We’d love to hear about the books that readers love – the ones that they recommend and share with friends and family. Our hope is that we will have some genuine and passionate recommendations that totally reflect the wide and rich variety of New Zealand’s reading pleasures. I’d expect to see vampires, feisty heroines, histories, mysteries, cook books and sports on the list for sure. In a recent survey, over 20% of readers said they relied primarily on recommendations when choosing their next book, more than any other category, so we’re asking readers to share their favourite books with us, so we can share them with all Kiwi readers in March 2011.”
Voting is open to everyone in New Zealand, and NZBM is offering a prize every day for voters – including new book releases, themed book packs worth over $100, and book vouchers to help with Christmas shopping – thanks to generous support from publishers and booksellers.
http://www.nzbookmonth.co.nz/ will also be the central resource for everyone looking to plan an event as part of New Zealand Book Month. Those interested in creating a book event – in a school, library, bookshop, community – will find a wealth of resources to support them on the site. Once they register their interest, they will have access to a “tool kit” to help organise a successful New Zealand Book Month event – as well as some great ideas to get them started.
Says National Co-ordinator Beth Davies: “I’m looking forward to working with potential organisers across the country to build some truly inspired book events. Whilst we are still finessing our campaign message, we’d love to start organisers thinking about the power of books to change and shape all of our lives – as individuals, communities or as a country.”
As events take shape organisers will be able input details for all to see, will have the opportunity for publicity support from the NZBM team – and may receive financial help with having a New Zealand author attend their event.
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