NZSA Mid-Career Writers Grant – Winner Announced!

 The New Zealand Society of Authors is delighted to announce that the winner of  this new and valuable grant is Dunedin poet and novelist Sue Wootten.

 Judging panel convenor James McNeish says the panel (comprised of Sue McCauley, James McNeish, and Jillian Sullivan) put together a shortlist with considerable difficulty as the grant had attracted many worthy applicants. 

He says the quality and range of applications illustrated, in Jillian Sullivan’s words, “the dedication and courageousness of our writers.”

“Many of our writers, struggling to find the time to write, have acquired a track record of substantial publications yet are barely acknowledged on the New Zealand literary scene. That this mid-career award is a positive step, helping to acknowledge and encourage their work, we have no doubt.”

We would also like to congratulate those applicants who were shortlisted and highly commended. 

Shortlist:  Anna McKenzie, Zana Bell

Highly Commended: Fredrik Brouneus, Mary Ellen O’Connor, Rhonda Bartle, Owen Bullock

The grant of $6000 is open to writers of fiction, literary non-fiction, poetry, short fiction collections and plays (self published work included) and seeks to recognise and celebrate the contribution of a mid career writer  to NZ literature. 

For further information:  Please contact programmes@nzauthors.org.nz