Five New Zealand authors were celebrated at the annual Ashton
Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript and Book Awards,
held on Friday night in Auckland.
The awards, run in association with the New Zealand Society
of Authors (NZSA), are in their second year and aim to recognise
excellence in authorship for writing in the mind, body, spirit
genre.
Whitianga author Andrew Crowe was presented with the $10,000
Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript Award by
Auckland City Councillor Richard Northey for his work entitled
"The Dalai Lama Story".
Co--authors James McNeill and David Bell received the $10,000
Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Book Award from Speaker of the
House of Representatives, the Honourable Margaret Wilson for
their book "Spirit of Nature".
Publisher Bob Ross, convenor of judges, says he was impressed
with the high quality of entries received in the book awards.
"The Ashton Wylie book awards are unique in their focus upon
mind, body and spirit, and judging these awards was certainly a
satisfying experience. Above all we were looking for excellence
in all aspects of authorship which supports the Trust's mandate
of helping people to become more loving, caring and fulfilled.
All five award winners certainly fulfilled these requirements."
Andrew Crowe's manuscript "The Dalai Lama Story" was
described by judges as a beautifully written, well constructed
account of the Dalai Lama's life. The winning published book,
"Spirit of Nature", by James McNeill and David Bell was
described as a charming work that makes the traditional five
Chinese elements relevant and practical today.
As a result of the high quality of books entered in the
awards, the Trust introduced three Merit awards across both
categories. Christchurch authors Brian Broom ("Meaning--full
Disease") and Robyn M Speed ("Dimension's Doorway") received
Merit awards for their respective works in the unpublished
manuscript category, and Hilary Hudson from Waikanae achieved a
Merit award in the published book category for "Earthly
Farewell".
Judges for the awards included publisher Bob Ross, New
Zealand author Richard Webster, Ashton Wylie trustee Adonia
Wylie, and author, editor and manuscript assessor Stephen
Stratford.
Liz Allen, Executive Director, New Zealand Society of
Authors, says the standard of entries this year proves that
while the mind, body and spirit genre is still relatively new in
this country, there is a wealth of writing talent in New
Zealand.
"The very generous book awards provided by the Ashton Wylie
Charitable Trust formally recognises New Zealand authors in this
genre, and provides them with the much needed support and
encouragement they require to further their writing careers."
Ashton Wylie trustee, Adonia Wylie, says she has been
delighted at response to the awards and says Ashton Wylie would
be very proud to see the amount of talent in a literature genre
that he was passionate about.
"The awards in Ashton's name have successfully proven that
this is a growing area of New Zealand literature. The success
last year's winners have had with their respective winning books
is testament to this, and the Trust is proud to have been a part
of their success."
The Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust, owners of Auckland's
Hopetoun Alpha venue and the legacy of the late Ashton Wylie,
was established in 2001 with the main intent of promoting more
loving relationships. The Trust's Book Awards were established,
in association with the New Zealand Society of Authors, to
encourage the expansion of the mind, body and spirit literature
genre in New Zealand.
