NZ Post Book Awards 2014

Interview with the finalists in this year's awards.

Interviews with the finalists in this year's awards.

Fiction

Charlotte Randall talks about her latest novel

The Bright Side of my ConditionNovelist Charlotte Randall has set 'The Bright Side of My Condition' on one of the isolated subantarctic Snares Islands, where four criminals are set down for a year, but not picked up for a decade.

From Standing Room Only on 2 February 2014

Novelist Anne Kennedy

The Last Days of the National CostumeAnne Kennedy introduces us to Go Go Sligo, a seamstress who reveals the often scandalous stories behind the holes in the clothing brought in for repairs. The novel is called The Last Days of the National Costume.

From Arts On Sunday on 14 July 2013

Playing Favourites with Eleanor Catton

The Luminaries by Eleanor CattonEleanor Catton holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, where she taught creative writing as an adjunct professor in 2010, and now lectures in creative writing at the Manukau Institute of Technology. Her second novel, The Luminaries, is published by Victoria University Press.

From Saturday Morning on 03 Aug 2013

Damien Wilkins - Max Gate

Max GateThe author of a novel about some lesser known aspects to the life and death of novelist Thomas Hardy. The novel's called Max Gate and it's published by VUP.

From Arts on Sunday on 15 September 2013

 

Poetry

Caoilinn Hughes : poetic evidence

Gathering EvidenceCaoilinn Hughes is an Irish-born New Zealand-based poet who combines the creativity associated with the written word with the precision connected with science. Her new collection of poems, Gathering Evidence, won the 2012 Patrick Kavanagh Award, and poems from the collection won the 2013 Cúirt New Writing Prize, the 2012 STA Travel Writing Prize and the 2013 Trócaire / Poetry Ireland Competition.

Poet Michele Leggott on exploring light and darkness

Michele Leggott Heartland book cover Auckland University PressMichele Leggott is a former New Zealand Poet Laureate (2007–2009), and in 2013, Michele received the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement in Poetry. She teaches at the University of Auckland and coordinates the New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre.

In Heartland she continues to explore themes of light and gathering darkness, through her own loss of vision, and through other people's stories.

From Nine To Noon on 19 August 2014

Vincent O'Sullivan

Us thenVincent O'Sullivan discusses his latest collection of poems, Us, then, published by VUP, and how his move to Dunedin has found its way into his writing.

From Arts on Sunday on 23 June 2013

 

Illustrated Non-fiction

Dr Damien Fenton: Author

New Zealand and the First World WarAuthor of 'New Zealand and the First World War' commemorating the centenary of the beginning WWI.

From Upbeat on 11 November 2013

Selling the Dream

Promoting prosperityThe art of early tourism and its place in this country's art history with art historian Warren Feeney and editor Peter Alsop. Promoting Prosperity: The art of early New Zealand advertising is a Craig Potton publication.

General Non-fiction

Lloyd Jones: remembering Christchurch

A History of SilenceWellington writer best known for his 2006 novel Mr Pip; his new memoir, A History of Silence, explores his family history and the city of Christchurch.

From Saturday Morning on 24 August 2013

Jill Trevelyan : Peter McLeavey

Peter McLeaveyNew Zealand art curator and writer, and author of Peter McLeavey : The Life and Times of a New Zealand Art Dealer.

From Saturday Morning on 09 November 2013

David Grant on Norman Kirk

The Mighty TotaraHistorian David Grant with an in-depth look at the Prime Minister who served for just two years but whose legacy has endured decades after his death.

From Sunday Morning on 02 March 2014

 

Rebecca Macfie: Pike River Mine

Tragedy at Pike River MineSenior writer with the New Zealand Listener, who won best magazine feature writer at the 2013 Canon Media Awards, and has just published Tragedy at Pike River Mine: How and Why 29 Men Died.

From Saturday Morning on 16 November 2013

Nielsen Booksellers’ Choice

Bill McKay - State Houses

Beyond the StateNew Zealand's state houses from the 1930s and 1940s were built modestly and built to last. They symbolised egalitarian values, and the importance of family and community. Bill McKay talks to Wallace about the enduring value of state houses.

From Sunday Morning on 30 March 2014

Harry Broad and Rob Suisted - Molesworth Station

MolesworthWriter Harry Broad and photographer Rob Suisted's journey through Molesworth Station in the South Island, New Zealand's largest farm. The 180,787 hectare station in south Marlborough is renowned as a place where conservation, recreation and farming go hand in hand. Harry and Rob talk about their book Molesworth - Stories from New Zealand's largest high-country station.

From: Nine To Noon on 13 September 2013

Paul Adamson - outdoors man and educator

The Beginner s Guide to Hunting and Fishing in New ZealandPaul Adamson is a passionate outdoors man and former school principal who's written a book on hunting and fishing for kids. The Beginners Guide to Hunting and Fishing in New Zealand is published by Random House.

From Nine To Noon on 26 September 2013

Big Year interview - Eleanor Catton

The Luminaries by Eleanor CattonNew Zealand author Eleanor Catton whose second novel, The Luminaries, won the 2013 Man Booker Prize.

From Nine To Noon on 24 December 2013

NZ Post Book Awards Logo

The New Zealand Post Book Awards celebrate excellence; the Awards identify the very best books written by New Zealanders.

Winners will be announced on 27 August 2014

See also