02 Feb 2021
Creative New Zealand is calling for applications from established New Zealand writers for the Michael King Writers Fellowship, valued at $100,000.
The fellowship is awarded every two years to authors of any literary genre, who have already published a significant body of work, to support their work on a major project over two or more years.
First offered in 2003, the fellowship was renamed in recognition of the late Dr Michael King for his contribution to literature and his role in advocating for a major fellowship for New Zealand writers.
“As well as recognising an established writers’ mana, this major fellowship offers an unparalleled opportunity for deep investigation, experimentation or research over a significant amount of time,” says Malcolm Burgess, Creative New Zealand Arts Practice Director Literature. “As a result, significant taonga in a wide range of genres have been created that have deepened and enriched Aotearoa’s literary landscape for all. We look forward to this continuing.”
Previous recipients of the fellowship are Martin Edmond, Fiona Farrell, Owen Marshall, Vincent O’Sullivan, C.K. Stead, Rachel Barrowman, Neville Peat, Dame Fiona Kidman, Phillip Simpson, Kate De Goldi, Peter Wells, Dr Peter Simpson, Elizabeth Knox and Dr Mere Whaanga.
Creative New Zealand’s literary genre priorities include fiction, poetry, children’s fiction, biography, autobiography, essays, histories, literary criticism, analytical prose of high literary standard and creative non-fiction.
2019 recipient Dr Mere Whaanga on receiving the award said “I feel very privileged to now have two years to dedicate to intensive research and writing on this project Rongoā – Heal the Land, Heal the People. This is the real value of the Creative New Zealand funding – that I can devote so much time to writing a book that will combine history, science, rongoā and practical applications of mātauranga (knowledge), all from a rural Māori perspective.”
Creative New Zealand is seeking applications from writers who have published critically acclaimed literature works; been short-listed for or received one or more literary awards or fellowships. Applications close at 1pm on 26 February 2021.
More information here
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