NZ Non-fiction writing competition winners announced today

NZ Non-fiction writing competition winners announced today

12 October 2011

The Depot is pleased to announce the winner, runner up and highly commended writer of the 2011 Cultural Icons & The Vernacular Lounge Non-fiction Writing Competition, ‘Encounters of a Vernacular Kind’, a narrative competition on the topic of New Zealand’s distinctive local culture through its everyday icons.

The competition was judged by Graham Beattie, Linda Blincko and Federico Monsalve.

• The 1st Prize goes to Anna Harding with her entry A Mall to Remember. Anna wins an eight to ten week writing course at The Creative Hub in Auckland.
• The 2nd Prize goes to Philippa Werry with her entry Anyone Can Play. Philippa wins a $500 book package from Random House New Zealand
• The judges would also like to Highly Commend author Derek Jones with his entry A Sense of Itself .

“Judging proved somewhat harder than I had anticipated as the nine shortlisted entries were all of a high standard and I offer my congratulations to all of them.” Graham Beattie

“Each writer had chosen a unique subject by which to articulate the vernacular; from familiar places and everyday activities to the characters whose attitudes, dress and demeanour ‘spoke’ distinctly of New Zealand…. I would like to thank each writer for entering this competition, for affording me much pleasure in encountering so many aspects of the New Zealand vernacular I had previously taken for granted. ” Linda Blincko

“The winning pieces were great at synthesising a community and portraying a palpable, colourful and perceptive microcosm. Congratulations to all.” Federico Monsalve

The Cultural Icons project www.culturalicons.co.nz and The Vernacular Lounge are both initiatives of The Depot with the aim being to identify, discuss and debate New Zealand’s continually emerging cultural identity and to celebrate those who have significantly contributed to it.

The winning entries are available to read online at www.morphmagazine.co.nz and will shortly be available as podcasts on www.jamradio.co.nz.

PRIZES:

1st Prize – A Mall to Remember by Anna Harding wins: An eight to ten week writing course at The Creative Hub in Auckland (www.thecreativehub.net.nz), manuscript assessment, published online on Morph Magazine www.morphmagazine.co.nz, recorded and made available on Jam Radio www.jamradio.co.nz.

2nd Prize – Anyone Can Play by Philippa Werry wins: A $500 book package from Random House New Zealand, manuscript assessment, published online on Morph Magazine www.morphmagazine.co.nz, recorded and made available on Jam Radio www.jamradio.co.nz.

SPONSORS:

The Creative Hub (first prize sponsor)
www.creativehub.net.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media