Media Releases

On April 1st five leading publishers will come together under one umbrella for sales, marketing and distribution in New Zealand.

Exisle Publishing, Hardie Grant, Simon & Schuster, Walker Books plus Gecko Press (who are represented by Walker) will be represented by HarperCollins New Zealand’s newly developed Arotahi Agency.

In te reo Māori Arotahi means to focus or concentrate and this is exactly the ambition the team at HarperCollins New Zealand brings to the formation of this new agency.

The team behind Arotahi Agency comprises some of the most experienced and passionate members of the New Zealand publishing trade:

Karen Ferns, Head of New Zealand sales for HarperCollins and Arotahi

Matthew Simpson, Key Accounts Manager, Arotahi

Sandra Noakes, Marketing and Communications for HarperCollins and Arotahi

Inna Carson, Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator for Arotahi

For our wonderful booksellers, there will be some changes of face in sales: Matthew Simpson will maintain key accounts and visit some independent booksellers throughout the top half of the North Island; Richard Matthews will cover both Arotahi and HarperCollins in selected regions; two-times book industry sales rep of the year award-winner Tammy Ruffell will represent Arotahi solely in the lower half of the North Island and in Nelson; and Peter Levy will be representing both Arotahi and HarperCollins lists in the rest of the South Island.

Karen Ferns said, ‘It is great to be underway and watch the experienced HarperCollins team quickly and effectively apply their skills to the new opportunities Arotahi offers for our customers.’

 

END

For further information, please contact:

Sandra Noakes, T. 0275767675 or E. Sandra.noakes@harpercollins.co.nz

 

A mixture of well-known writers and new authors feature in the inaugural NZ Booklovers Awards shortlist announced today.
The latest works by Fiona Kidman, Nicky Pellegrino, Jo Seagar, Wendyl Nissen, David Hill and Fleur Beale are among the diverse range of books nominated for the NZ Booklovers Awards, along with exciting new authors.
Six books are shortlisted in each of the three award categories: adult fiction, lifestyle books and children’s books.
NZ Booklovers Director Karen McMillan says the inaugural awards received a large number of entries and the standard was extremely high.
‘The judges were excited to see the variety of books that our talented New Zealand authors have produced,’ she says. ‘Our fiction award celebrates the best in storytelling, a book that we couldn’t put down. Our lifestyle award celebrates the non-fiction books that have the ability to enrich our daily lives. For our children’s book award we were looking for picture or junior fiction books that help engage young readers and foster a love of books. It was a very challenging task to decide on the final six shortlisted books in each category, but we are thrilled with the quality of the books.’

The NZ Booklovers Awards 2019 shortlisted titles are:
NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2019
A Change of Key by Adrienne Jansen (Escalator Press)
Crystal Reign by Kelly Lyndon (Remnant Press)
Fishing for Māui by Isa Pearl Ritchie (Te Rā Aroha Press)
Grandzilla by Lisa Williams (Crummer Road Press)
This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman (Penguin Random House)
A Year at Hotel Gondola by Nicky Pellegrino (Hachette)

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2019
Better than a Bought One by Jo Seagar (Penguin Random House)
Eco Home by Melinda Williams (Penguin Random House)
Flourish by Juliet Nicholas and Barb Rogers (Penguin Random House)
The Natural Home by Wendyl Nissen (Allen & Unwin)
Ripe Recipes – A Third Helping by Angela Redfern and the Ripe Deli Team (Beatnik)
Wild Delicious by Amber Rose (Penguin Random House)

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Book 2019
Dear Donald Trump by Sophie Spiers, illustrated by Anne Villeneuve (Millwood Press)
Hero of the Sea by David Hill, illustrated by Phoebe Morris (Penguin Random House)
Kuwi’s Rowdy Crowd by Kat Merewether (Illustrated Publishing)
Lyla by Fleur Beale (Allen & Unwin)
Puffin the Architect by Kimberley Andrews (Penguin Random House)
Who Stole the Rainbow? by Vasanti Unka (Penguin Random House)

The winner in each category will be announced on 18 March 2019, and each winner receives $500 from NZ Booklovers.

The Best Adult Fiction Book Award is judged by writer and literary editor Marcus Hobson, publishing professional Rachel White, and NZ Booklovers Director and author Karen McMillan.

The Best Lifestyle Book Award is judged by journalist and author Andrea Molloy, NZ Booklovers Director and author Karen McMillan, and publisher, home renovator and foodie Iain McKenzie.

The Best Children’s Book Award is judged by author and creative writing teacher Paddy Richardson, editor and writer Heidi North, and early childhood kaiako and journalist Rebekah Fraser.

About NZ Booklovers
NZ Booklovers is an online home for books and for those who enjoy reading them. It is a bookworms’ hub, dedicated to bringing New Zealanders everything they need to know about reading and the world of literature. Working alongside publishers, NZ Booklovers showcases both New Zealand and international titles. It provides a platform for sharing articles, author interviews, reviews, and book-related stories, as well as book news, competitions, and reading and writing advice.

Director Karen McMillan heads up a talented team of contributors and reviewers, fellow readers and writers who are passionate about books and who believe books inspire and enhance people’s lives. The NZ Booklovers Awards are the brainchild of Karen McMillan, with the aim of supporting the local publishing community and New Zealand authors.

Judges’ comments:
ADULT FICTION
A Change of Key: ‘A wonderful collection of characters in this book set in a mostly migrant community. The residents are drawn together to support one another, and by weaving the theme of music into the story, there is a real sense of belonging and community in this little snapshot of a not-so-familiar NZ. Adrienne Jansen makes you care about the characters in this book.’

‘Crystal Reign is an eye-opening story about the dreadful effects of P on an ordinary family, written from the point of view of a man trying to hold his family and marriage together. The writing style is engaging and direct – exploring the raw emotions of what he is going through, as well as the toll it takes on those around him.’

‘Fishing for Māui is a portrait of a family moving through crisis. We are introduced to a large cast of characters in this book, and the author cleverly tells their stories through their own eyes, from very young, to very old. It cleverly interweaves Māori legends and a real sense of New Zealand and connection to the past and present. Drugs, mental health, families and cultures are never easy topics, but Isa Pearl Ritchie tackles them all.’

‘Grandzilla is a novel with multiple layers, plots and countries that come together to make this compelling reading. The author pulls off a clever mix of past and present, linking riots in 1960s Germany with present-day racial unrest in the USA. Grandzilla educates as well as entertains. Great characters and an enlightening read.’

‘This Mortal Boy is a beautifully drawn novel that brings a true story to life. It is the little touches that make this brilliant, the small observations of everyday events. We travel back to 1950s New Zealand, a time when a judge could put a man to death. Time is running out for Albert Black.’

A Year at the Hotel Gondola: ‘An enjoyable mix of Venice, romance and plenty of cooking recipes. This is a great holiday read, especially for anyone who has visited Venice. Apart from the love story and the mouth-watering food, it also addresses the current issues facing the residents of Venice with the overcrowding from too many tourists.’

LIFESTYLE
‘Better than a Bought One is not a regular recipe book. Sharing her love of entertaining, Jo inspires readers to celebrate life’s milestones at home. Her focus is on easy, economical ideas to mark everything from birthdays to backyard weddings, Matariki and a casual Kiwi Christmas. Jo’s trademark writing is accompanied by intoxicating photography that ensures readers will repeatedly refer to the book for memorable ideas.’

‘Eco Home is an essential read for anyone considering building or renovating their home. Melinda’s writing clearly communicates the benefits of going green and how to create an eco-friendly home. The gorgeous photography throughout further inspires sustainable living.’

Flourish: ‘This stunning book showcases the lives of women behind some of New Zealand’s most significant gardens. The wonderful photography is accompanied by delightful storytelling with inspirational messaging. Flourish is such an enjoyable read it will encourage even the most unlikely of green thumbs.’

The Natural Home: ‘This thoughtfully designed book inspires readers to live sustainable lives. Wendyl’s accessible writing makes old-fashioned, chemical-free living highly desirable. The Natural Home is a delightful, practical guide, including Wendyl’s best recipes from previous books.’

Ripe Recipes – A Third Helping: ‘This follow-up book from Ripe Deli’s Angela Redfern is bursting with flavour! Rediscover the seasons and turn each page to discover a scrumptious new dish. Angela has cleverly curated over 100 accessible recipes to inspire healthy eating at home.’

Wild Delicious: ‘This beautiful hardback is more than a recipe book, it is a culinary guide to slow living. Renowned chef Amber Rose encourages mindful food preparation using local, seasonal produce. Stunning images are accompanied by thoughtful writing that compels a well-nourished life.’

CHILDREN’S
‘Dear Donald Trump deals with incredibly complex and important issues through an innocent sibling drama. It’s a charming story that will spark a conversation with young children about kindness, compassion and peace in this turbulent time.’

Hero of the Sea: ‘A beautiful biographical picture book that allows a new generation of Kiwi kids to learn about Sir Peter Blake. A stellar tribute to one of New Zealand’s greatest heroes, with great illustrations from Phoebe Morris.’

‘Kuwi’s Rowdy Crowd is an absolute delight, with gorgeous illustrations and a wonderful subtle tale about being happy with what you have.’

‘Lyla sensitively and poignantly portrays the experience of a young girl living through the Christchurch earthquake, the courage that she shows at the time and during the aftermath and the effect it has on her and her family and friends.’

Puffin the Architect: ‘Witty, with wonderfully detailed illustrations. This is a great read-aloud book.’

Who Stole the Rainbow: ‘Snappy illustrations and humour make this book about how rainbows are made accessible and fun for a younger audience.’
MEDIA RELEASE AS PDF

ENDS

For more information, interviews or book covers, please contact NZ Booklovers Director Karen McMillan, 027 693 9044, karen_m@xtra.co.nz, www.nzbooklovers.co.nz

Many of New Zealand’s literary heavyweights feature in the 40-strong Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlist announced today.

The latest works of Lloyd Jones, Fiona Kidman, Maurice Gee and Vincent O’Sullivan are among the rich and varied range nominated for the country’s premier book awards, now in their 51^st year.  They sit alongside debutants and rising stars whose books traverse sweeping contemporary, cultural, historic, artistic and social landscapes.

Ten books are longlisted in each of the four awards categories – fiction, general non-fiction, illustrated non-fiction and poetry.

New Zealand Book Awards Trust chair Nicola Legat says the Awards received a large number of entries again this year and the standard was extremely high across all categories. “The judges would have had a challenging task and it’s very gratifying and exciting to see the mix of established writers and younger emerging talent across all the longlist categories,” she says. “This signals a very encouraging situation for New Zealand literature.”

The 2019 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlisted titles are:

Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize:

The Man Who Would Not See by Rajorshi Chakraborti (Penguin Random House)

The Life of De’Ath by Majella Cullinane (Steele Roberts Aotearoa Ltd)

The New Ships by Kate Duignan (Victoria University Press)

Mazarine by Charlotte Grimshaw (Penguin Random House)

Caroline’s Bikini by Kirsty Gunn (Faber & Faber)

The Cage by Lloyd Jones (Penguin Random House)

The Ice Shelf by Anne Kennedy (Victoria University Press)

This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman (Penguin Random House)

The Imaginary Lives of James Pōneke by Tina Makereti (Penguin Random House)

All This by Chance by Vincent O’Sullivan (Victoria University Press)

 

The Royal Society Te Apārangi Award for General Non-Fiction:

Filming the Colonial Past: The New Zealand Wars on Screen by Annabel Cooper (Otago University Press)

Song for Rosaleen by Pip Desmond (Massey University Press)

Hudson & Halls: The Food of Love by Joanne Drayton (Otago University Press)

Memory Pieces by Maurice Gee (Victoria University Press)

The Heart of Jesús Valentino: A Mother’s Story by Emma Gilkison (Awa Press)

We Can Make a Life by Chessie Henry (Victoria University Press)

Swim: A Year of Swimming Outdoors in New Zealand by Annette Lees (Potton & Burton)

The Vulgar Wasp: The Story of a Ruthless Invader and Ingenious Predator by Phil Lester (Victoria University Press)

With Them Through Hell: New Zealand Medical Services in the First World War by Anna Rogers (Massey University Press)

Dear Oliver: Uncovering a Pākehā History by Peter Wells (Massey University Press)

 

Illustrated Non-Fiction Award:

Fight for the Forests: The Pivotal Campaigns that Saved New Zealand’s Native Forests by Paul Bensemann (Potton & Burton)

Galleries of Maoriland: Artists, Collectors and the Māori World, 1880-1910 by Roger Blackley (Auckland University Press)

The New Zealand Horse by Deborah Coddington and photographs by Jane Ussher (Massey University Press)

Wanted: The Search for the Modernist Murals of E. Mervyn Taylor edited by Bronwyn Holloway-Smith (Massey University Press)

Tatau: A History of Sāmoan Tattooing by Sean Mallon with Sébastien Galliot (Te Papa Press)

Mataatua Wharenui: Te Whare i Hoki Mai by Hirini Mead, Layne Harvey, Pouroto Ngaropo and Te Onehou Phillis (Huia Publishers)

Birdstories: A History of the Birds of New Zealand by Geoff Norman (Potton & Burton)

Whatever it Takes: Pacific Films and John O’Shea 1948-2000 by John Reid (Victoria University Press)

Down the Bay: A natural and cultural history of Abel Tasman National Park by Philip Simpson (Potton & Burton)

Hillary’s Antarctica: Adventure, Exploration and Establishing Scott Base by Nigel Watson, photographs by Jane Ussher (Allen & Unwin)

 

Poetry Award:

Edgeland and other Poems by David Eggleton (Otago University Press)

The Farewell Tourist by Alison Glenny (Otago University Press)

Are Friends Electric? by Helen Heath (Victoria University Press)

All of Us by Adrienne Jansen and Carina Gallegos (Landing Press)

There’s No Place Like the Internet in Springtime by Erik Kennedy (Victoria University Press)

The Facts by Therese Lloyd (Victoria University Press)

Winter Eyes by Harry Ricketts (Victoria University Press)

Walking to Jutland Street by Michael Steven (Otago University Press)

Poūkahangatus by Tayi Tibble (Victoria University Press)

Aspiring Daybook: The Diary of Elsie Winslow by Annabel Wilson (Mākaro Press)

 

 

The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards shortlist will be announced on 6 March, 2019. The winners (including the four Best First Book Awards and a Māori Language Award, presented at the judges’ discretion) will be announced at a ceremony on 14 May, held as the first public event of the 2019 Auckland Writers Festival.

To find out more about the longlisted titles go to http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards/2019-awards/longlist/

The Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize will award $53,000 in 2019. It is judged by journalist, reviewer and editor Sally Blundell, novelist and literary festival programme director Rachael King and novelist, short story writer and lecturer James George (Ngāpuhi). They will be joined by an international judge in deciding the ultimate winner from their shortlist of four.

The Royal Society Te Apārangi Award for General Non-Fiction is judged by award-winning historian and academic Angela Wanhalla; academic and award-winning science writer Rebecca Priestley and curator, educator and writer Karl Chitham (Ngāpuhi).

The Illustrated Non-Fiction Award is judged by writer and commentator Douglas Lloyd Jenkins; art curator and writer Lucy Hammonds; and long-time bookseller Bruce Caddy.

The Poetry Award is judged by three award-winning poets: Massey University Associate Professor Bryan Walpert; creative writing teacher Airini Beautrais and Karlo Mila, Pasifika poet who runs an indigenous leadership programme.

ENDS

For interview opportunities, author images, book cover images and further information please contact: Penny Hartill, director, hPR 09 445 7525, 021 721 424, penny@hartillpr.co.nz

#theockhams    facebook.com/NewZealandBookAwards             twitter.com/theockhams

 

Editors’ Notes:

The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are the country’s premier literary honours for books written by New Zealanders and were established (as the Wattie Book Awards) in 1968. They are governed by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust (a registered charity), which also governs the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day.

Ockham Residential Group is Auckland’s most progressive developer. Founded in 2009 by Mark Todd and Ben Preston, Ockham describes itself as an urban regenerator, a company that loves Auckland.  The business has ambitions wider than profitability and has also established the Ockham Foundation, which aims to promote original thinking and critical thought — two key elements of widening the public discourse — via educational initiatives.

The Acorn Foundation is a community foundation based in the Western Bay of Plenty, which encourages people to leave a gift in their wills and/or their lifetimes to support their local community. Since it was established in 2003, Acorn has distributed over $4.6 million. The Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize has been provided through the generosity of one of the Foundation’s donors, and is awarded to the top fiction work each year, in perpetuity. Its base figure of $50,000 will be adjusted each year, to reflect wage inflation.

Royal Society Te Apārangi is an independent not-for-profit organisation that supports all New Zealanders to explore, discover and share knowledge. Its programmes provide funding and learning opportunities for researchers, teachers and school students and with those who are simply curious about the world. Its elected Fellows help the Society to provide independent advice to New Zealanders and the government on issues of public concern.

Creative New Zealand provides a wide range of support to New Zealand literature and has been a sustaining partner of New Zealand’s book awards for decades. Creative New Zealand encourages, promotes and supports the arts in New Zealand for the benefit of all New Zealanders through funding, capability building, an international programme, and advocacy.

The Auckland Writers Festival is the largest literary event in New Zealand and the largest presenter of New Zealand literature in the world. Festival attendance in 2018 exceeded 74,000.

 

Since January 2018, Booksellers NZ has gained seven brand new members from everywhere from Vulcan Lane in Central Auckland, through to Twizel in South Canterbury, as well as online store Five Dogs Books.

‘We have seen a decided increase in the number of new bookshops over the past year’ notes Booksellers NZ CEO Lincoln Gould. ‘While the likes of Little Unity is clearly owned by a well-established bookshop ownership team, we have Another Chapter in Newtown, Wellington, Petronella’s Bookshop in Lake Tekapo, and The Twizel Bookshop, all of which were opened by booklovers with no previous experience in the sector.’

This trend is reflective of a worldwide trend towards bookshop ownership becoming more popular, as reported in The Guardian earlier this month, and reflected in figures from the US showing a 35% rise in numbers of indie bookshops.

‘We are also seeing greater confidence in independent bookshop ownership particularly’, adds Gould, ‘with several of our members moving and expanding their shops over the past year, namely Poppies Howick, Almo’s Bookshop in Masterton and Book Haven in Newtown.’

Booksellers NZ membership is now sitting just shy of 200, and includes all Paper Plus and Take Note community franchise stores, and our Book Tokens and Gift Cards are valid at all of the shops in this nationwide chain, as well as our independent members.

The Twizel Bookshop was opened by Renee Rowland in August 2017, and she opened the store after a busy corporate career because she says, ‘It was just time to start honouring what I loved and was good at instead of trying to fit into something else.

‘I love knowing for the kids in this town, having a bookshop is normal. My 10 year old self would be proud of me. And I no longer need to curb my enthusiasm. Owning a bookshop does not feel like work. It’s just a fun and interesting thing I’ve created and get to do everyday, something to feel proud of and satisfied by. ‘

Another Chapter opened opposite the Wellington Hospital  in November 2018, and Owner Lorna Bingham, who was a nurse previously, says, ‘I opened Another Chapter to provide an inspiring space for staff of and visitors to the hospital to be able to have a little time out from busy caretaking roles to be able to enjoy browsing & buying books, cards and gifts.

‘I have enjoyed amazing camaraderie since setting the shop up. I am filled with joy because I am living my dream, and my customers have been really positive about the space and selection of books.’

We believe that booklovers of New Zealand are gradually coming to understand the value of the bookshop in their own neighbourhood. They know they employ local people, they curate their bookshops with their customers in mind, and they are most importantly, wonderful places to be. This is the future of our retail environment.

ENDS

Contact: Sarah Forster, Communications Manager, Booksellers NZ, sarah.forster@booksellers.co.nz, DDI (04) 815 8364 cell: (021) 176 7684

Further Info:
Founded in 1921, Booksellers NZ is the membership association for bookshops in New Zealand. It is a national not-for-profit trade organisation, and it works to help independently owned and chain bookstores to grow and succeed. Booksellers NZ provides education, information, business products, and services; creates relevant programs; and engages in public policy and industry advocacy. A volunteer board of seven booksellers governs the Association.

The seven shops are: Little Unity in Auckland, Onehunga Books & Post in Onehunga, Martinborough Bookshop (opening soon), Another Chapter in Wellington, online store Five Dogs Books, The Twizel Bookshop and Petronella’s Books in Lake Tekapo.

 

A panel of judges combining deep knowledge of the children’s literature community with youthful wisdom and a shared passion for the transformative power of books has been selected to deliberate over entries to the 2019 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Highly respected reviewer and librarian Crissi Blair will convene the English language panel, which will also include poet and co-founding editor of The Sapling Jane Arthur, author and editor Raymond Huber, teacher and award-winning writer Tania Roxborogh, and librarian Simie Simpson, previously a popular children’s publisher sales manager.

Te Rōpū Whakahau, the national body representing Māori within the library and information profession, has reappointed the experienced panel of Moana Munro (convenor), Anahera Morehu and Jacqueline Joyce Snee to judge the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award, which recognises and celebrates books written or translated into te reo Māori.

The English language judges will read and appraise an expected 150 or so entries in five categories: Picture Book, Junior Fiction (the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award), Young Adult Fiction, Non-fiction (the Elsie Locke Award) and Illustration (the Russell Clark Award). They will select five finalists in each category, as well as up to five finalists for a Best First Book Award and then a winner in each category. The overall winner, the Margaret Mahy Award for Book of the Year, will be decided by both panels.

Also a judge in the 2018 awards, Crissi Blair said she was delighted to have been invited back as the 2019 convener and honoured to be working alongside such an experienced group of passionate children’s literature advocates. “We are fortunate to have a judging panel from diverse backgrounds and many different aspects of the children’s book world. I look forward to combining our skills as we explore this year’s submissions.”

The 2019 judges will once again seek input on each category during their deliberations from school advisory panels. “We found this not only to be an illuminating exercise in terms of what books interest children as opposed to adults, but it also created an opportunity for education in getting the groups to understand the criteria and to look at each book with a critical eye,” says Crissi of the 2018 process.

Submissions for the 2019 awards are now open to books published between 1 April 2018 and 30 March 2019. The first deadline, for books published up to 30 November 2018, is 13 December 2018. More details about how to enter can be found here: http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/how-to-enter/

Category finalists will be announced on Thursday 6 June 2019 and the awards ceremony will be held in Wellington in early August 2019, preceded by a series of large-scale finalist author events in at least three centres around New Zealand.

The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are made possible through the generosity, commitment and vision of funders and sponsors Creative New Zealand, HELL Pizza, Wright Family Foundation, LIANZA, Wellington City Council, Te Papa and Nielsen Book. They are supported by Booksellers NZ.

For more information about the 2019 judges, see below or go here: http://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/2019-awards/judges/

Any queries about the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults should be directed to Awards Administrator Joy Sellen at childrensawards@nzbookawards.org.nz.

ends

Released on behalf of the New Zealand Book Awards Trust by:

Belinda Cooke, manager@nzbookawards.org.nz, tel: 021 481044.

(Publicist Gemma Finlay of Notable PR will once again run the #NZCYA marketing campaign, from early 2019.)

2019 JUDGES

Convenor of judges Crissi Blair has been writing about children’s books and their makers for nearly 20 years, including seven years for the Book Council’s e-news The School Library, reviews and articles for Magpies magazine, where she is now New Zealand Coordinator, and her own publication New Zealand Children’s Books in Print 2005-2013. She was a member of the 2018 judging panel for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and has a long involvement with Storylines, including three years as festival manager. Crissi has a Bachelor in Design and Visual Arts, with a specialist interest in picture book illustration, and has recently finished studying for library qualifications while working as a librarian at Rangeview Intermediate School in Auckland.

Jane Arthur is an editor and poet who has worked in the book industry for over 15 years, in both bookselling and publishing. She is co-founding editor of The Sapling (www.thesapling.co.nz), a website about children’s books, which launched in March 2017 and won the 2018 New Zealand Book Industry Special Award. She has a Masters in English Literature, a Masters in Creative Writing and a Diploma in Publishing. Jane won the 2018 Sarah Broom Poetry Prize, and her first poetry collection will be published in 2020. She lives in Wellington with her family.

Raymond Huber is a Dunedin-based children’s author and editor who has written junior novels, picture books, YA non-fiction, school readers and textbooks, many published internationally. He is the University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence for 2018. Children’s books have been a vital part of Raymond’s life: reading with his children and grandchildren; in his years teaching at primary schools; reviewing books for newspapers and magazines; studying a Diploma of Children’s Literature; assessing and editing manuscripts.

Tania Roxborogh (Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri) is a veteran educator and an award-winning writer of over thirty published works. She has been a head of two English departments, drama teacher, actor, director, musician, English curriculum developer, short story judge, and writing mentor. Her most recent publications are Bastion Point: 507 Days on Takaparawha, which won the Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction, and two secondary English text books. Her happy places are her classroom, Lincoln High School, and wherever she can snatch time to read – most often books recommended by her students.

Simie Simpson (Te Ati Awa) is a librarian in the Kaipara District north of Auckland. Prior to this she worked for a number of years for Walker Books New Zealand as a sales manager, and as a bookseller before that. Reviewing children’s books and working in a library has allowed her to connect the wider community with the books she is passionate about. She believes in the transformative power of books, and the importance of seeing yourself reflected in the books you read. Simie particularly loves events where people get to meet the ‘rock stars’ some people call writers and illustrators.

Te Kura Pounamu Award convenor for the second year, Moana Munro is kaitiakipukapuka Māori for Hastings District Libraries, delivering services and resources to a growing Māori and Polynesian population in Hawke’s Bay. She’s one of the ngā kaiwhakahau o Te Rōpū Whakahau representing Te Mātau o te Ika rohe (East Coast, Hawke’s Bay to Wairarapa regions). “Being an information provider is extremely rewarding; being entrusted with taonga and participating in tangata experiences, that’s special, that’s incredibly humbling,” she says. “Reading to my mokopuna: priceless.”

A LIANZA Hikuwai regional councillor and kaiāwhina of Te Rōpū Whakahau, Anahera Morehu was a judge for Te Kura Pounamu award in 2017 and 2018. She is part of the team which supports the Mātauranga Māori and Tukua workshops for those working in the information industry.

Jacqueline Joyce Snee (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu) is the poukōkiri rangahau Māori, senior librarian Māori Research at Auckland Central Library. She was a judge for Te Kura Pounamu award in 2018 and in 2017 she was the recipient of the Robyn Hakopa Te Reo Māori award for promoting te reo and tikanga within the library profession. Jacqueline has worked in heritage, academic and public libraries and her library career has centred on improving and protecting access for Māori to information. Prior to her career in libraries she worked at Kohanga Reo. She has a few mokopuna and reads to them often.

 

26 November 2018: for immediate release

Publishers Association of New Zealand welcomes progress on Copyright Act Review

The Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) has welcomed the release by the Government of the Issues Paper on the Review of the Copyright Act.

The New Zealand publishing industry makes a major contribution to the nation’s cultural and economic wellbeing. Our members are local independents and large international publishers, educational and trade publishers, publishers for adults and for children, for students and professionals – combining to produce over 2000 new titles a year.

This investment by New Zealand publishers is only possible with a robust copyright framework that allows creativity to flourish. Good copyright law enables authors and publishers to be rewarded for their hard work, and underpins a healthy intellectual property marketplace.

As active buyers and sellers of copyright, publishers have a vested interest in a balanced and efficient regime, one that offers clarity and certainty for all.

“New Zealand has good copyright law, but we think it could be better,” said PANZ President Peter Dowling. “The review of the Copyright Act is an important opportunity to reinforce the incentives to create and innovate that distinguish what our authors and publishers do in New Zealand and abroad.”

“We need copyright law that gives New Zealand creators control over their global aspirations, that is effective in digital as well as in print, that uses licensing and exceptions to minimise transaction costs when required, that offers affordable means for enforcement, and that harmonises our law with those of our key trading partners.”

“PANZ believes that better copyright law will enable the growth of New Zealand publishing and the wider creative economy on which much of our nation’s future economic growth depends.”

“We commend the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment on the work that has gone into the preparation of this Issues Paper and we look forward to continuing our close engagement with the Review process.”

ENDS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Catriona Ferguson, T 021 0248 2637

On behalf of Publishers Association of New Zealand

www.publishers.org.nz

www.facebook.com/PublishersAssociationNZ/

 

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 21 November 2018: For immediate release

Nineteen New Zealand publishers will have books on display at the Publishers Association of New Zealand’s (PANZ) stand at this year’s Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) from 24 to 28 November.

The Guadalajara International Book Fair is one of the world’s largest book fairs and rates as the most important publishing gathering in Ibero-America. For New Zealand publishers and writers it offers exciting opportunities for rights sales and distribution.

While publishing business is the main goal, the Guadalajara Book Fair also hosts a cultural festival in which literature plays an important part. Authors from all corners of the globe have been invited to participate in events and this year, as a result of a developing relationship between PANZ and the festival, Christchurch-based crime writer Paul Cleave will talk about his writing.

This is the third year PANZ has officially represented New Zealand trade and education publishers at this important fair. PANZ President Peter Dowling, a Spanish and Portuguese speaker who will manage the Kiwi presence in Guadalajara, says the FIL provides an unparalleled platform to access readers across Latin America and Southern Europe:

“With the backing of Creative New Zealand and Education New Zealand, PANZ aims to expand avenues for our literary and educational authors into key markets including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and Spain, not to mention the Hispanic-speaking United States.”

While in Mexico Dowling will also be meeting with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and New Zealand Embassy officials, along with publishing industry leaders from around the world.

The Publishers Association of New Zealand gratefully acknowledge the support of Creative New Zealand and Education New Zealand.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Sandra Noakes, Tel 0275 767675 or Catriona Ferguson, T 021 02482637

On behalf of Publishers Association of New Zealand

www.publishers.org.nz

www.facebook.com/PublishersAssociationNZ/

Massey University Press (MUP) is joining forces with Kate De Goldi and Susan Paris. Their company, Annual Ink, is to become MUP’s new children’s imprint — the first of its kind in New Zealand.

The imprint’s first title, Hazel and the Snails, by debut author Nan Blanchard, will be published in March 2019 and it exemplifies everything the partnership plans to emphasise.

‘In essence,’ says De Goldi, ‘we want to help transform publishing in New Zealand for middle readers. Currently, picture books and YA books are relatively strong here, but material for eight- to 13-year-olds often lacks variety and depth. Massey University Press is the perfect partner for our enterprise. Nicola and her team value books for inquiring readers, and their titles make a significant contribution to our reading culture.’

Paris says that the ground has shifted a lot in the last decade. ‘More children’s books than ever are being published and purchased globally, but commercial pressure has seen a creeping conservatism. The range of books available for this important reading age has narrowed considerably, and inevitably this means in New Zealand too.’

The editors both believe that series books by international writers tend to crowd out the rich fiction and nonfiction that are ultimately more rewarding for the reader. ‘Books that create adventurous, thoughtful readers, books that relish language and ideas — this is what booksellers, parents, and teachers can expect from an Annual Ink title,’ says De Goldi.

‘Massey University Press is honoured to be working with Susan and Kate,’ says MUP publisher, Nicola Legat. ‘Kate is known as a great champion of children’s literature. She teaches in this space and writes for this audience superbly. Susan is an outstanding and innovative editor of the venerable School Journal, and she writes for the educational market, so between them there’s a lot of experience. They’re looking forward very much to the prospect of supporting new authors and publishing new kinds of books for this crucial period of childhood when the life-long reading habit is bedded in.

‘It’s now well established that the reading habit is one of the key contributors to the cultural and economic health of society,’ adds Nicola. ‘If we don’t encourage children, especially middle readers, towards books that extend them, we risk that their pleasure in reading will be lost. So we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to offer New Zealand children’s books that excite and sustain young readers and broaden their imaginations.’

The imprint will initially publish two books a year. They will be available in all good bookstores.

For more information and for interviews please contact Massey University Press publicist Sarah Thornton: sarah.thornton@prcomms.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Massey University Press was established late in 2016 and is headed up by Nicola Legat, the former Publishing Director of Random House New Zealand and, prior to that, editor of Metro magazine. She is the chair of the New Zealand Book Awards Trust and the deputy chair of the Auckland Writers Festival. In an agreement between the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Massey University, she is also the publisher of Te Papa Press. www.masseypress.ac.nz

Susan Paris has 18 years’ experience in publishing. She has edited the School Journal for 12 years, producing more than 50 journals. She has written Ready to Read titles and more than 40 chapter books for the educational market, both New Zealand and overseas.

Kate De Goldi has been discussing children’s literature on RNZ for the last 18 years. She works with children in schools throughout New Zealand, promoting reading and teaching creative writing. She writes fiction for all ages. Together, Susan and Kate commissioned and edited Annual (Gecko Press, 2017). As Annual Ink, they commissioned, edited, and published Annual 2. Both annuals were bestsellers.

ENDS

From NZSA Canterbury Literary Awards

Last week NZSA Canterbury announced the winners, runners -up and specially commended writers who had been selected by our judges in the Heritage Literary Awards.  The competition was nation-wide and attracted entries from leading publishers and writers throughout New Zealand. All the judges – Prof Tom Brooking (nonfiction books), Fiona Farrell (novels), Owen Marshall (short prose) and Bernadette Hall (poetry) spoke of the high standard of the entries and the difficulty of making a decision.

The most popular section was for non-fiction books and there were nearly 40 of these -probably most of those that were published during the past year. The fiction category attracted around 20 entries and again they were of a high standard.

The function which was part of the Christchurch’s Heritage Week celebration was held in St Michael’s Church, a magnificent wooden building dating back to the 1870s and a very fitting venue.

Ngāi Tahu led by Sir Tipene O’Regan welcomed guests from all over New Zealand – nearly 100 attended. They also rose to celebrate the non-fiction winner Tāngāta Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu.  This is a selection of biographical studies of various members of the iwi.

As judge Tom Brooking wrote:

This is a wonderful book. The fifty lively biographies bring these tipuna vibrantly to life. The quality of the entries is consistent throughout and credit must go to the highly qualified contributors and expert editors. And what a fascinating cast occupies the pages of this exceptional biographical dictionary. They range from well-known national figures through soldiers and even singers who became popular in London, to local community leaders little known outside their often remote localities.  Despite their different lives in time and place each ancestor shared in common deep knowledge of southern Māori culture and tradition and fought long and hard to preserve it.

Helen Brown and Tarekei Norton, eds. Tāngāta Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu. Volume One. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu/Bridget Williams Books, Wellington/Christchurch.

 2017

The runner-up in this section was John Wilson with his study Local Lives: A History of Addington, Addington Neighbourhood Association/Caxton

Again the judge said:

John Wilson’s excellent suburban history of Addington is … another welcome addition to our rather sparse collection of studies of the places where the majority of people in cities live – the suburb.

The fiction prize went to Fiona Kidman for her new novel This Mortal Boy. Fiona Farrell who presented the award said that ‘it has been a real privilege to read such  a wonderful book.’  This is the story of Albert Black, known as the ‘jukebox killer’.  He, was only twenty when he was convicted of murdering another young man in a fight at a milk bar in Auckland on 26 July 1955. His crime fuelled growing moral panic about teenagers, and he was to hang less than five months later, the second-to-last person to be executed in New Zealand.

The runner us was David Hill for his Young Adult novel Finding and there was a special mention for Tree Worship by Jack Ross.

The short prose section was won by Caroline Barron of Auckland for her entry ‘Linette and Montague’. Owen Marshall said of the winner:

It has first person, present tense narration and this together with the crisp, contemporary language gives the piece pace and draws the reader in.  The story is based on the narrator’s search in Archives NZ, Auckland, for evidence of a paternal grandfather, his relationship with Linette and their illegitimate child.  The factual basis gives credibility and relevance, but the account of the search is enhanced by elements of surmise and speculation.  As well imaginative touches add to the story, as when the narrator visualises the court room scene in which Montague Stanaway is ordered to pay expenses related to the birth of his child… A balanced, impressive short piece.

The runner up was Susan Cambridge with Dea’s Story – a tale of colonial society.

The poetry section was won by Lucy D’Ath:  fight / flight.  This suggested the horrific rhythm of the Christchurch earthquakes and  the runner-up was Into the Audit  by John Ewing

The full list of prize winners is as follows:

Poetry

The winner is:    fight / flight by Lucy D’Ath

The runner-up is:  Into the Audit by John Ewing

Short Form – prose

WINNER

Linette and Montague by Caroline Barron

RUNNER UP

Dea’s Story by Susan Cambridge

Non-fiction book

First Prize

Helen Brown and Takerei Norton, eds. Tāngāta Ngāi Tahu: People of Ngāi Tahu. Volume One. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu/Bridget Williams Books, Wellington/Christchurch, 2017. 352pp

Runner Up

John Wilson, Local Lives: A History of Addington, Addington Neighbourhood Association/Caxton, Christchurch, 2017. 320pp

Highly Commended

John Newton, Hard Frost: Structures of Feeling in New Zealand Literature 1908-1945, Victoria University Press, Wellington, 2017. 368pp

Lachy Paterson and Angela Wanhalla, He Reo Wāhine: Māori Women’s Voices from the Nineteenth Century, Auckland University Press, 2017, 372pp

Grey Ryan and Geoff Watson, Sport and the New Zealanders: A History, Auckland University Press, 2018. 390 pp.

Fiction Book

The winner is This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman. Penguin/ Random House

Runner up is Finding by David Hill Penguin/Random House

Special mention: Tree Worship by Jack Ross

I would like to thank our sponsors: the Christchurch City Council, Scorpio Books and Wily Publications Ltd.

Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) is once again excited to announce the successful applicants in this year’s round of the CLNZ Contestable Fund Grants. Introduced in 2014, the fund was established to support strategic projects that demonstrate New Zealand publishing growth and development, including within education.

The 2018 Contestable Fund Grant recipients are:

• Dunedin Writers Festival $2,410
• Academy of New Zealand Literature $10,000
• Clean Slate Press $10,000
• Graeme Lay $3,000
• Lesley Smith $10,000
• Lift Education $7,500
• OneTree House $5,000
• Lost Property.org.nz $3,700
• Audiobooks NZ $10,000

There were a total 51 applications received with funding contributions made for the following nine projects:

Dunedin Writers Festival for podcasting the 2019 Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival. Academy of New Zealand Literature receive funding for international promotions of New Zealand writers’ work. Clean Slate Press receive funding towards their project for struggling readers, Joy Cowley: Building Bridges. Graeme Lay receives funding towards images for his project 100 Days – James Cook in New Zealand and Lesley Smith for her project titled Tara McLeod – A typographic journey. Lift Education for converting CSI Private Eye, an engaging online literacy series into a mobile application. OneTree House towards producing a range of bilingual children’s books in community pacific languages. Lost Property.org.nz for their project Artists in Uniform: Camouflage and Concealment. Audiobooks NZ for development of a mobile app to access audio books.

The CLNZ Contestable Fund is a dynamic fund able to support projects that may not fit with other funding providers objectives. Chief Executive of CLNZ, Paula Browning, said “We intentionally established the Contestable Fund with broad criteria and the variety of projects that have been funded in the past few years, endorses this approach. Investing in authors and publishers and supporting organisations that deliver value to the sector is what the CLNZ Cultural Fund (where this funding comes from) was set up for.”

Applications for the next round of the CLNZ Contestable Fund will be called for in mid-2019.

The Contestable Fund is part of CLNZ’s Cultural Fund, which derives revenue from CLNZ’s licensing activity in New Zealand. Other grants and awards made from this fund include the CLNZ Writers Award, NZSA/CLNZ Research Grants and tertiary scholarships for creative writing students. Revenue generated through the licensed copying of copyright material is helping to fund the creation of new work.
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Press release from Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ)
For further information, contact:
www.copyright.co.nz
awards@copyright.co.nz or 09 486 6250

About Copyright Licensing New Zealand
We are a non-profit organisation that is jointly owned by the Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) and the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA). We are also the sole, recognised Reproduction Rights Organisation (RRO) in New Zealand for text based copyright material. The net-income generated from our licences is redistributed back to the owners of the work being copied. In addition, CLNZ puts aside a fixed amount of licensing revenue in the Cultural Fund to support people and projects that encourage the development of current and future writers, publishers and educators and to help grow the sector.