Be present to celebrate the achievement and potential of six exciting young writers in a set of readings leading up to the moment in which one of them will be named winner of the 2006 Prize in Modern Letters. At $65,000, this biennial award is the world’s largest prize for emerging writers, and this year's finalists are a diverse and talented group. International Institute of Modern Letters Director (and event chair) Professor Bill Manhire said: "There are six authors here, and they are very, very different from one another. One of the really healthy things about the shortlist, and about contemporary New Zealand writing in general, is the range of things being attempted." This diversity, coupled with the fact that the prize is judged outside New Zealand by a panel of American jurors, lends an element of unpredictability to the outcome. Tusiata Avia is a poet, performer and artist who is nominated for her poetry collection Wild Dogs Under My Skirt (2004). Jo Randerson is shortlisted for her two collections of short fiction, The Spit Children (2000) and The Keys to Hell (2004). Kate Camp is a second-time finalist for her two poetry collections Unfamiliar Legends of the Stars (1998) and Realia (2001). William Brandt makes his second appearance as a finalist for his fictional publications Alpha Male (1999) and The Book of the Film of the Story of My Life (2002). Carl Shuker currently lives in Japan and enters the list for his debut work The Method Actors (2005). Louise Wareham’s first published novel Since You Ask (2004) earns her a place on the shortlist.

 

Concession Pass to 15 Writers Upfront sessions of your choice: $150 [FR $140]

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18 Mar, 5:15pm