Terms and Conditions of entry to the NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award
The winner of the prize will receive a cash award of $5000 to be used to advance and/or complete a new project.
The award is judged within the criteria set by Tina Shaw: to recognise and support mid-career fiction writers based in Aotearoa New Zealand. ( Mid-career writer, for this award, is defined as
‘someone working steadily on their writing and has ambitions to take their careers to the next stage’. With published work being at least two and a maximum of seven novels (these can be books in a series), which can be middle grade, YA and/or adult fiction.)
The award is for the best fiction presented by a mid-career writers working on a new project.
Preference will be given to writer’s who have not received support recently.
Fiction aimed at adult and younger readers (middle grade and YA) will be eligible in any genre. Fiction works in verse are eligible but poetry is not.
The prize is open for entry to writers who are NZ citizens or permanent residents.
The prize shortlist will be at the discretion of the NZSA who will select the shortlist judging panel. The final winner will be decided by Tina Shaw in consultation with and advised by the shortlist judging panel.
Entries for the prize must be made on The New Zealand Society of Author’s website (authors.org.nz) by the advertised deadline (entries open from May to July in any given year), with the winner announced after judging has been completed.
The project must be an unpublished work of fiction in progress.
Those entering the prize warrant that: (i) Their entry is an original work. (ii) That it is in no way whatever an infringement of any existing copyright or licence or any other right of any person. (iii) That it contains no defamatory matter, or any matter which invade any individual’s rights of privacy. (iv) All statements in the work purporting to be facts are true.
Each entry must be received by electronic submission, submitted by link on authors.org.nz, and must contain the following: (i) A completed online entry form, available from authors.org.nz
(i) A writing sample from the project of up to 10 pages (double spaced)
(ii) A description of the project (up to 500 words)
(iii) Author bio of no more than 50 words
(iv) The submission is not valid until the required fee has been paid to the nominated bank account. $25 for NZSA members, $50 for non-members.
All entries must be received by the nominated deadline.
An author may submit more than one manuscript, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and payment.
Hand-delivered submissions or posted submissions will not be accepted.
The winner will be notified by phone and/or email.
The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into either during or after the selection process.
Chance plays no part in determining the winner. Entries will be judged based on the criteria set by Tina Shaw–for the best fiction presented by a mid-career writers working on a new project.
To be considered for this award, you need to have published at least three standalone novels. Traditionally, hybrid and indie published novels will be eligible.
Only one prize will be awarded in any one year.
The winner receives a prize of NZ$5,000.
If there is not a worthy applicant in any given year, the right is reserved not to give out an award.
Those entering the competition accept the conditions of entry as prescribed and give their consent for their entry to be considered for the prize.
The winner of the NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award must acknowledge the support of the NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award and the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc in any subsequent publication of the submitted project.
