2011 Kathleen Grattan Prize for a Sequence of Poems

Photo - Judge  Stu Bagby and 2011 Kathleen Grattan Prize for a Sequence of Poems winner Jillian Sullivan

The winner of the 2011 Kathleen Grattan Prize for a Sequence of Poems, run by International Writers' Workshop NZ Inc, has been announced.
Judges Selina Tusitala Marsh and Stu Bagby were unanimous on their decision that Wellington poet Jillian Sullivan be awarded the $2500 prize.
The sequence, 'how to live it' chronicles 2010's middle-age triple whammy: the loss of a parent, the youngest child leaving home, the end of a marriage. Sullivan wrote the 16 poems as the year unfolded. "They read as a kind of story that I didn't know how would end," she says.
Stu Bagby commented, "Well constructed, sustained my interest with an honest voice that didn't get in the way despite literary references … very good work."
Selina Tusitala Marsh commented, "A sensitively connected sequence … held my attention from beginning to end with its tender, understated sophistication. Wide ranging in technique, experimental without losing its personal voice."
Previously Sullivan has published four novels, three collections of short stories and a creative non-fiction book on the writing process, Fishing from the Boat Ramp – a Guide to Creating (Steele Roberts).
Two entrants were Highly Commended. Both from Auckland they are Siobhan Harvey for 'Where Clouds are Spoken Of' and Aysha Vitapa-Aspinall for 'Walking, Walking (?) in Resonance'.
International Writers' Workshop NZ Inc (IWW) was founded in 1976 by poet Hilda B Whyte and meets twice a month from February to November at the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna. IWW's main aim is to inspire writers by means of workshops and competitions.
The Kathleen Grattan Prize for a Sequence of Poems has been made possible by a bequest from the Jocelyn Grattan Charitable Trust. It was a specific request of the late Jocelyn Grattan that her mother be recognised through an annual competition in recognition of her love for poetry and that the competition be for a sequence or cycle of poems with no limit on the length of the poems. It is one of two poetry competitions funded by the Trust, the other being the prestigious Kathleen Grattan Award run by the publishers of Landfall magazine.
In 2009 Alice Hooton was the inaugural winner of the Prize for her sequence 'America'.
In 2010 joint winners were declared. They were Janet Charman for her sequence 'Mother won't come to us', and Rosetta Allan for her sequence 'Capricious Memory'.


For further information about the Prize, contact Sue Courtney, President, International Writers' Workshop NZ Inc, www.iww.co.nz, email sue@iww.co.nz, phone (09) 473 5110.