Finalists for the Sarah Broom Poetry Prize 2014 announced

The judges are delighted to announce the shortlist for the inaugural Sarah Broom Poetry Prize. This prize has been established in honour of poet Sarah Broom (1972-2013), and aims to provide recognition and a financial contribution for an emerging or established poet, to support the completion of a full manuscript of original poetry.

The prize attracted almost 300 entries in its first year from New Zealanders across the country and living overseas. The shortlist has been selected by a judging panel including Sarah Ross, Paula Green, Michael Gleissner, and iconic New Zealand poet Sam Hunt. In 2014 the prize is $12,000.

“It is very encouraging to see that poetry is thriving in our communities,” says the prize founder Michael Gleissner. “The entries demonstrated an impressive range of complexity, subject matter, tone, style and form which made it a tough job for the judges.”

The finalists are:

Emma Neale: A Dunedin-based poet, novelist, teacher, mentor and anthologist who has published four poetry collections.

CK Stead: An established poet who has published over 40 volumes of poetry, fiction, memoir and criticism and received numerous awards.

Kirsti Whalen: A poet and disability advocate studying Creative Writing at Manukau Institute. She  has published poems in various journals.

The three finalists will each read in a free session at the Auckland Writers Festival on Sunday 18 May from 1 - 2pm in the Upper NZI Room, Aotea Centre, Auckland where Sam Hunt will announce the winner.