National Literature Awards Call for Entries

New Zealand writers who have explored themes within the mind, body, spirit genre are encouraged to enter their work in the 2012 Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Literature Awards.

The Awards recognise both budding and published writers by offering three of the largest prizes awarded for literature in New Zealand, including a brand new category for 2012: the Children's Book Award.

The Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust, in association with the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) will present three prizes of $10,000 each to the winning unpublished manuscript author, published book author, and children's book author.

Adonia Wylie, spokesperson for the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust, encourages New Zealand writers to enter the Awards.

"The Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Literature Awards have recognised some of the best established and up-and-coming literary talent in New Zealand. We wish to support writing within the mind, body, spirit genre and urge writers to submit their work so that quality writing can be recognised."

Ms. Wylie says the Trust's founder, Ashton Wylie, was an Auckland businessman and philanthropist with a passion for spiritual awareness and promoting positive, loving relationships.

"As well as looking for quality writing, the judges will be looking for work that educates, enlightens, engages and uplifts readers."

Last year Keith Hill of Auckland won the published book category for his work "The God Revolution" and Mary Ballard of Pokeno was awarded the unpublished manuscript prize for her work "The Snowflake Clouds".

The addition of the Children's Award category will see a published book intended for children recognised for its themes within the mind, body, spirit genre that are appropriate for that age group.

Maggie Tarver, Chief Executive Officer, The New Zealand Society of Authors, says that while the mind, body, spirit genre is strong in New Zealand, there are likely more budding writers who need encouragement to submit their work in to a public space.

"The mind, body, spirit genre is gaining momentum," says Ms Tarver.

"Last year we received a strong number of entries - 57 unpublished manuscript and 31 published book entries into the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Literature Awards."

To be eligible for the awards, writers must be New Zealand citizens residing in the country.

Unpublished manuscripts must be submitted by 31 March 2012, and be between 20,000 and 100,000 words in length.

Published books must be submitted by 31 May 2012, should be 48 pages or longer and must have been published between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012.

Children's books must also be submitted by 31 May 2012 and should be 48 pages or longer with a word count between 8,000 to 20,000 words. The children's book must have been published between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2012.

The Awards will be presented in a ceremony at the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust's own venue, the Hopetoun Alpha in Auckland on Friday 24 August 2012.

Submission forms and entry details are available from The New Zealand Society of Authors national office, phone: 09 379 4801, e-mail: office@nzauthors.org.nz or post: PO Box 7701, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141.

Writers are also invited to register for the informative Writing for Children workshop to run in conjunction with the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Literature Awards on Saturday 25 August 2012 at the Hopetoun Alpha, Auckland.

Guest speakers include renowned children's authors Joy Cowley and Maria Gill, award winning illustrator and writer Sandra Morris, and respected publisher and consultant Martin Taylor.

For further information or reservations for the Writing for Children workshop, please visit www.awct.org.nz or e-mail info@awct.org.nz.