September 7, 2007, press release
Lucrative Literary Award for unpublished writers announces fresh finalistsSt John's, NL: The shortlist for the 2007 Fresh Fish Award for Emerging Writers, one of the country's richest writing prizes for new authors, was announced today.The award, which is given by the Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (WANL), provides a $5,000 prize for the best unpublished manuscript, written by a resident of the province who has not published in book form. The Fresh Fish Award was created by Newfoundland author Brian O'Dea and is sponsored by the O'Dea family. In this, the award's second year, the three finalists are:
"It's heartening to hear from the judges again this year that they faced a difficult challenge in whittling the list down to three. I think this award demonstrates that there's a tremendous amount of untapped talent in the Newfoundland and Labrador writing community," said Leslie Vryenhoek, co-chair of the WANL Book Awards Committee and a judge in the inaugural competition last year. "Brian O'Dea believed in that unrecognized talent and he established this Fresh Fish Award to help bring it recognition. The Writers' Alliance is tremendously grateful for his support of this very generous – and, perhaps life-changing – award." Newfoundland-born O'Dea's significant investment in the Fresh Fish Award allows the Writers' Alliance to provide a cash prize of $4,000 plus the editing services of a professional editor valued at up to $1,000 to the winning author, and $1,000 each to the runners-up. In addition, O'Dea arranged to have the winner's name inscribed on a bronze plaque, and to receive a miniature sculpture in the style of "Man Nailed to a Fish" by sculptor Jim Maunder. "Once again I am reminded of the tremendous depth of the talent pool of Newfoundland and Labradorian writers," Mr. O'Dea said. "I am humbled by the quantity and quality of the work submitted for this, the second annual Fresh Fish Award. All of these writers work so hard on and for their craft, and all deserve such assistance that this award provides. We Newfoundlanders who have access to money such as is awarded here might look at how much each one of us does for our creative community, and if you find yourself wanting, dig in, and create such a gift for your community. We can never do too much for the arts; we can never do too much to help storytellers spread their tales, for that is how we have survived all these years, through the telling of tales. So, come on folks, and you know who you are – step into this great game of service through action to the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador." Last year, the award was won by Sara Tilley for her novel Snowflake-Young. Under the editorship of renowned writer and editor Stan Dragland, the novel has been polished and retitled Skin Room. It will be published by Pedlar Press in March 2008. This year's winner will be announced on October 6, 2007, at the Writers' Alliance annual banquet. The Fresh Fish Award is administered by the Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador with support from the Literary Arts Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. View the press release backgrounder. |
Media contact: Shoshanna Wingate Executive Director Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador Tel: (709) 739-5215 E-mail: wanl@nf.aibn.com |
| The Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador operates with funds raised from membership dues, fundraising activities, corporate and private sponsorship, and with the financial support of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, City of St John's, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, which the Alliance gratefully acknowledges. | |
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