Assistance to writers

Tu Tangata, Issue 15, 1 December 1983, Page 34

Assistance to writers

INFORMATION ON AWARDS AND BURSARIES FOR NEW ZEALAND CREATIVE WRITERS

Besides its established bursaries, the N.Z. Literary Fund offers assistance throughout the year to writers, to enable them to work for varying periods of time.

The level of the grant may vary according to the writer’s needs. However, to ensure the Fund is able to assist as many writers as possible, most grants will be relatively small and few will exceed $2,000. Writers requiring a higher level of assistance should apply for one of the established bursaries or scholarships.

Priority will be given to writers undertaking work in prose, drama and poetry. Although writers engaged in critical or historical activity will be considered, preferences in these fields will be given to work relating to the social and cultural development of New Zealand. Applications Applications for grants should be made by letter. Give detailed proposals and outline notes of the works you intend to undertake if you receive a grant; State the level of grant required and how the grant is to be used; Give an indication of what stage the work has reached e.g. rough notes, first draft etc. If possible, you should provide an example of the work already completed or examples of previous works. All applications are considered by the full Advisory Committee. Meetings are normally held in February, May, August and December. The closing dates for applications are: 31 December for the February meeting, 31 March for the May meeting, 30 June for the August meeting, 30 September for the December meeting. Applications should be sent to: The Secretary New Zealand Literary Fund Advisory Committee Department of Internal Affairs Private Bag Wellington

The staff of the Advisory Committee will be happy to discuss projects with writers. New Zealand Book Awards The aim of the awards is to provide substantial recognition for excellence in books written and published in New Zealand. Annual prizes of $2,000 for the best book published, in the categories of poetry; fiction, non-fiction and book production. Applications invited: March. Closing Date: 1 May Presentation: First week in July ICI Writers Bursary The aim of this award is to provide substantial financial help to a writer with potential but whose reputation is not yet well

established to enable them to work full-time on an approved project for up to one year. Bursary value: $6,000. Applications invited: March. Closing Date: 21 May. Presentation: Approximately 15 June.

Scholarship in Letters: 1984 Applications for the 1984 Scholarship in Letters valued at $12,000 are invited from authors of any kind of creative writing to work on a specific programme of work for one year. Applications invited: mid September 22-23. Closing Date: 3-4 November. QE II Arts Council and New Zealand Literary Fund Playwrights Fellowship This award is designed to allow a playwright to spend at least six months with a professional theatre. Award value: $5,000. Applications invited: June. Closing Date: 26 August. Katherine Mansfield Memorial Fellowship The Katherine Mansfield Memorial Fellowship is offered annually to enable a New Zealand writer to work for a time in Menton, France. Applications invited: June. Closing Date: July

Choysa Bursary for Children's Writers This award enables an author of imaginative work for children to work full-time for a period of up to one year on an approved projects] which will reach book form. Bursary value: $7,000. Applications invited: Late July. Closing Date: 30 September. Presentation: Approximately 17 November. Overseas Travel Fund for New Zealand Creative Writers The Fund is jointly established by the New Zealand Literary Fund and Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council to assist New Zealand creative writers to travel overseas for various purposes connected with their work. Applications invited: Late April. Closing Date: 1 July. Literary Fund Writing Bursary The Literary Fund Writing Bursary is offered annually and is valued at $6,000. The intention of the Bursary is to encourage writers with potential who’s reputation is not yet well established, to work full time on an approved programme for a period of up to six months. Closing date: 3-4 November.

Information on the above awards and bursaries are available from the Secretary, New Zealand Literary Fund Advisory Committee, Department of Internal Affairs, Private Bag, Wellington.

Victoria University Writers Fellowship An annual award to enable a writer of proven merit to work for one year at the University in any area of literary activity. Applications invited: June. Closing Date: August. Enquiries to: The Registrar Victoria University of Wellington Private bag Wellington The Secretary New Zealand Literary Fund Advisory Committee Department of Internal Affairs Private Bag Wellington

University of Canterbury Writer in Residence The position has been created to foster New Zealand writing by providing a full-time opportunity for a writer to work in an academic environment. The position, which will be available annually, is open to writers in the fields of creative writing: fiction, drama and poetry. Applications invited: August. Closing date: October. Enquiries to: The Registrar University of Canterbury Private Bag Christchurch or The Secretary New Zealand Literary Fund Advisory Committee Department of Internal Affairs Private Bag Wellington

University of Auckland Literary Fellowship The followship has been created to foster New Zealand writing by providing a full-time opportunity to work in an academic environment. Applications invited: September. Closing Date: November. The Registrar University of Auckland Private Bag Auckland or The Secretary New Zealand Literary Fund Advisory Committee Department of Internal Affairs Private Bag Wellington

Robert Burns Fellowship: Otago University Is to encourage and promote the writing of imaginative New Zealand literature. Writers may be awarded a Fellowship to work for a year on their own writings in association with the Department of English. Closing date: 10 August. Enquiries to: The Registrar, University of Otago, P O Box 56, Dunedin John Cowie Reid Memorial Fund From time to time Committee will announce grants, awards, etc. for writers and other artists. Enquiries to: The Registrar, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland. Maori Writers Award Two annual fellowships of SI,OOO each; one award for creative writing in English, the other for creative writing in Maori. The awards are available to writers of Maori descent. Enquires to: The Secretary, Maori Purposes Fund Board, P O Box 2390, Wellington