Press release – Copyright Licensing New Zealand
The 2024 Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) and New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc (NZSA) Research Fellowships have been awarded to four authors in Aotearoa.
The $5,000 grants support local authors who wish to conduct research for a fiction or nonfiction project.
The selection committee, consisting of Siobhan Harvey, Vasanti Unka and Vaughan Rapatahana, said: “As judges, we recognise the significant contribution that research fellowships make to the project and publication success of the selected authors. It is encouraging and inspiring to receive 85 applications for consideration this year. We encourage authors from across Aotearoa to continue to apply in such large numbers for future fellowships.”
Lori Leigh with project “Homo Sweet Homo”: The History of Queer Homes in New Zealand
Lori Leigh, Research Associate (she/her) is an award-winning queer writer and researcher from Te Whanganui-a-Tara. They have published with Palgrave MacMillan, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press and Routledge. Lori’s writing has also appeared in local lifestyle magazines such as Capital cityand recently she published in Be different (Massey University Press).
Lori’s Project “Homo Sweet Homo”: The story of queer families in New Zealand – aims to explore the vibrant and diverse landscape of queerness and homemaking in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The 2024 selection panel said: “We found compelling the ‘…planned multi-layered approach of this project, which builds on historical records, personal narratives and cultural analysis to illuminate the nuanced and untold experiences of LGBTTFIQ+ couples and communities in shaping their homes and identities.’”
Kate Parker with three picture book projects, Tohu from Aotea, Korōra Blue And Kōpu and the Sea Thieves
Kate Parker is a writer/illustrator and papercut artist from West Auckland.
Their project aims to research and develop three picture books that highlight some of Aotearoa’s special creatures and the challenges they face:
The Tākoketai (Northern Black Petrel) of Aotea Island and their journey to and return from Ecuadorian waters – a story of navigation and inner knowing.
The Korora (Little Penguins) and their challenge posed by summer heatwaves and overfishing that have led to the disappearance of their bait fish and starvation that has caused many breeding pairs to abandon their chicks – let’s focus on what we can do to help.
The Kōputōtara (New Zealand Porcupinefish) and the story of the Sea Thieves, which illustrate the effects of human theft from the sea, including the sand itself. Kōpu stands up for the sea and finds ways to deal with the strong emotions that cause her to change shape.
The selection panel said: “…the focus of this research is to compile a collection of stories for younger readers about Aotearoa’s tākoketai, korōra and kōputōtara. Because we focus on native species and are inspired by mātauranga Māori and contemporary environmental concerns, we believe this project is well deserving of financial support.”
The selection committee stated: “…The focus of this research was to compile a collection of stories for younger readers about Aotearoa’s tākoketai, korōra and kōputōtara. Because we focus on native species and are inspired by mātauranga Māori and contemporary environmental concerns, we felt this project was well worthy of financial support.”
Steph Matuku with book project The Blue Dawn
Steph Matuku is a New Plymouth-based author. She writes for the screen and has written several books for young people, all published by Huia Publishers.
Your new project, The Blue Dawnis an adult novel set in early 19th century New Zealand, when the whaling industry was at its peak. Māori mythology and tradition collide with capitalism and brutal progress as a grieving fugitive hunts the giant octopus that will lead her to her ancestral homeland. The CLNZ | NZSA Research Fellowship will help Steph learn more about the 19th century whaling industry and significant people and places.
The judges said: “We were excited by this proposal for a historical novel about the whaling industry in Aotearoa in the 1820s. Funding the research trip to Kororāreka will be instrumental in giving the green light to a fascinating project by an established author who has been at our side with strong support from the publisher.”
Kerry Sunderland with book project Deathwalker’s Guide to Life: How confronting death can help you live a more fulfilling life.
Kerry Sunderland is a freelance journalist, writer and curator of the Nelson Arts Festival’s Pukapuka Talks literary programme. Her essays have been published in Being different: Essays on the subject of childlessness, childlessness and closeness to children (MUP, 2024), A border meeting (Elixir & Star Press, 2023) and Headlands: New stories of fear (THWUP, 2018). Her journalistic contributions have appeared in New Zealand Geographic, NZ Listener, North & South, The Spinoff, Stuff/Nelson Mail, Wild Tomato, as well as the Byron Echo, Inside Film, And Metro Magazine in Australia.
Kerry is also the host/producer of the podcast, Deathwalker’s Guide to Life and with the CLNZ | NZSA research grant, she will begin work on a book inspired by the many interviews she has conducted, weaving together the stories, wisdom and practical advice of her guests, while also addressing the impact of her own past death denial. Readers will be encouraged to face their fears, empowered to accept their own mortality, and supported to talk more openly and honestly about death.
The judges said “Deathwalker’s Guide to Life: How Exploring Death Can Help You Live a More Fulfilling Life – this research will result in a work that is part memoir, part personal essay, part character profile, and ultimately a meditation on the joys of living. The author has a solid track record of navigating her subject matter and has garnered significant interest from publishers.”
CLNZ and NZSA are keen to support New Zealand authors in their research endeavours. Research grants are funded through the CLNZ Cultural Fund, which derives its income from a 2% share of domestic royalties and from overseas earnings.
CLNZ and NZSA thank the 2024 Selection Panel – Siobhan Harvey, Vaughan Rapatahana And Vasanti Unka.
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa is proud to present the awards in 2024.
Note:
Copyright Licenses New Zealand (CLNZ) offers licenses that make copying, scanning and sharing printed works easy and legal.
New Zealand Writers’ Society Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (NZSA) The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (NZSA) is the main organisation representing over 1800 authors in Aotearoa New Zealand. Founded in 1934, we provide prizes and awards, offer professional development opportunities, provide mentoring and assessment programs, and have a nationwide network of branches. NZSA works with the wider book sector to increase the visibility of New Zealand literature and New Zealand authors. We champion the rights of authors and advocate for fair remuneration. NZSA is a not-for-profit association and registered charity.
Content from scoop.co.nz
Original URL
