Former winner now a judge

Carl Nixon.

Two years ago Carl Nixon won the coveted BNZ Katherine Mansfield Award; this year the critically acclaimed author will be a judge in the same competition.

He joins multi-award winning writers, Dame Fiona Kidman and Kate de Goldi on the judging panel, making a stellar line-up in this, the awards 50th anniversary.

Mr Nixon, who will judge the award’s novice category, says as a past winner he knows that success in the Katherine Mansfield competition can be an important milestone in a literary career.

“I am delighted to be a judge in this year’s BNZ Katherine Mansfield Awards. The next great NZ writer may be out there just waiting for the motivation that this country’s pre-eminent short story contest competition gives.”

The opening date for submissions was 1st May and entry forms are available on-line at www.bnz.co.nz/kmawards or from any BNZ store.

Ms Kidman will judge the premier category which carries a prize of $10,000. The novice prize is worth $1,500 and Ms de Goldi who will judge the young adult category will be awarding the winning student $1,500 and the same amount for the winner’s school.

In addition to the cash prize, the premier winner joins a veritable who’s who of the NZ writing community. Former winners of this prize include CK Stead, Vincent O’ Sullivan, Maurice Shadbolt, Frank Sargeson, Keri Hulme and more recently, Charlotte Grimshaw.

All writers whether accomplished or just beginning are encouraged to submit stories as there are categories to suit everyone. Entries close on 30th June, 2009.

BNZ head of brand and communications, Jo Kelly says the Bank is proud and excited to have sponsored the Katherine Mansfield Award for their entire 50 year history.

“This year is a real celebration of the long-standing partnership we have with Katherine Mansfield and the awards – the country’s finest in short fiction – that take her name.

“We are thrilled to have made many NZ writers better off by winning this award.”

The awards are NZ’s longest running creative writing awards. They commemorate NZs best known writer, and help NZ writers achieve recognition in their own country.

The Bank has sponsored the awards since their inception in 1959; Sir Harold Beauchamp, Katherine Mansfield’s father was the first BNZ chairman of directors, a position he held for 17 years.

The winners of this year BNZ Katherine Mansfield awards will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 1st October in Wellington.