Damien Wilkins

Tilly peers into her New Zealand Post Awards crystal ball…

The Read thought it would be fun to ask an eminent bookseller to pre guess the judges’ nominations for the first New Zealand Post Book Awards which will be announced  next Tuesday, June 22.

We chose Tilly Lloyd because we were doing the profile of Unity Wellington, and what the heck, it saved money on toll calls.

The Good Word (TVNZ7)

A New Zealand series about books and the people who love them.

This series stars novelist Emily Perkins (in the studio) and columnist Finlay Macdonald (in the field), along with an almost all-new all-star panel.
Joining comic Te Radar, on The Good Word panel are newcomers, actor Jennifer Ward-Lealand, columnist Steve Braunias, One News presenter Miriama Kamo, journalist Gordon McLauchlan and - in what may be a worldwide book show first - the country's Chief Censor, Bill Hastings.

Monday 7 December, 6pm. Free entry
City Gallery Wellington, Adam Auditorium (entry through rear entrance off Harris St)

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, now known as the New Zealand Post Mansfield Prize, the Gallery hosts a panel session with former fellows: Jenny Pattrick, 2009, Jenny Bornholdt, 2002, Elizabeth Knox, 1999, Marilyn Duckworth, 1980 and Damien Wilkins, 2007 (Chair).

Very best wishes to those on Waiheke Island who’ve been reading Linda Olsson’s Sonata for Miriam this month and are taking part in the book discussion group at The Lazy Lounge Café this evening.

New Zealand Book Awards - Winners 2001

Deutz Medal For Fiction or Poetry
Fiction

The Book of Fame, Lloyd Jones (Penguin Books)

Fiction runners-up

The Curative, Charlotte Randall (Penguin Books)
Nineteen Widows Under Ash, Damien Wilkins
(Victoria University Press)

Montana Medal for Non Fiction

Wrestling With The Angel: A Life of Janet Frame, Michael King (Viking)

New Zealand Book Awards - Winners 2006

Deutz Medal For Fiction or Poetry

Blindsight, Maurice Gee (Penguin Books)

Montana Medal for Non Fiction

Pohutukawa & Rata: New Zealand's Iron-hearted Trees, Philip Simpson (Te Papa Press)

Fiction

Blindsight, Maurice Gee (Penguin Books)

Fiction runners-up

Responsibility, Nigel Cox (Victoria University Press)
The Captive Wife, Fiona Kidman (Vintage)

New Zealand Book Awards - Winners 2007

Montana Medal For Fiction or Poetry

Mister Pip, Lloyd Jones (Penguin Books)

Montana Medal for Non Fiction

Eagles Complete Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand, Audrey Eagle (Te Papa Press)

Fiction

Mister Pip, Lloyd Jones (Penguin Books)

Fiction runners-up

The Fainter, Damien Wilkins (Victoria University Press)
The Cowboy Dog, Nigel Cox (Victoria University Press)

The Propaganda Poster Girl - Amy Brown

Victoria University Press, ISBN 978-0-86473-574-4, $25.00 pbk

What emerges from this collection, without ever leaning on the familiar modes of confession, is a compelling self-portrait. Where other young poets might have found only feelings, Amy Brown finds images and scenes to carry the burden of disclosure. Rather than endless interiors, there’s a palpable, recognisable world in the work. This is a thoughtful, mature and provocative collection.
– Damien Wilkins