Published poets’ prize

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 23

Published poets’ prize

The Commonwealth Institute, London, invites entries to the 1987 British Airways Commonwealth Poetry prize. Books published between July 1986 and June 1987 in New Zealand are eligible to compete for a prize of £lOOO and an opportunity to win a further £4OOO as best book of poetry in the whole Commonwealth. First books of poems by new poets also have a chance to win a special prize of £2OOO for the best first published collection. Publishers should send three copies of their entry

to the chairman of the Australasia and South Pacific Region panel of judges, Professor Albert Wendt, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of the South Pacific, P.O. Box 1168, Suva, Fiji, by June 30. The Commonwealth Poetry Prize was established in 1972 but has grown in scope and reputation since British Airways began to sponsor the award in 1985. Last year’s Australasian and South Pacific Region winner was Australian poet Andrew Taylor for “Travelling” (University of Queensland Press).

An Australian, Vicki Raymond, also won the special prize for the best first-time published book with her collection “Holiday Girls” (Twelvetrees Publishing Co.). In 1985 a New Zealander, Lauris Edmond, won the over-all prize.

The winner of the Australasian and South Pacific Region will fly to London in November for announcement of the results and a reading tour of Britain. November is the date for the publication by Carcanet of the first Commonwealth Poetry Prize Anthology.