The (little) Read is a fortnightly newsletter from Booksellers NZ, covering recent news of interest to the book industry in New Zealand, as well as the Nielsen bestsellers lists and Radio reviews information.
After a brief moment at the top last week for Black Marks on the White Page, The Wish Child has returned, and there are two poetry collections that are new to the list in the Fiction list this week. The thing I noticed in the non-fiction list - which is similar to last week's - is the tendency for men to look straight at the camera for their photographic cover, and women to look away. The one brand new title on the list is Hunting New Zealand, with the stag similarly taking the cameraman on, and an older title returns at the bottom of the list. It's good to see a couple of Junior Fiction titles for local kids in the Children's & YA charts, with nature titles again taking up the bulk of the list. Click through for the full list, including the internationals.
There is a-week-and-a-day left to enter the NZ Book Industry Awards. Details here. Don’t be shy – nominate your awesome co-worker, sales rep, bookshop, or even yourself (no one will ever find out). There is no entry fee this year – so that’s one less barrier between you and glory! Entries must reach awards@booksellers.co.nz by midnight on Friday, 28 July.
Announcing a new literary prize for New Zealand writers
Text Publishing is proud to announce the Michael Gifkins Prize for an Unpublished Novel, an exciting new award for writers holding New Zealand citizenship or who are permanent residents of New Zealand.
Neil Patrick Harris to publish debut children’s series with Hardie Grant Egmont
Beloved Emmy Award-winning American actor, producer and director Neil Patrick Harris will publish the first book in his debut children’s series The Magic Misfits with Hardie Grant Egmont, as part of a worldwide release on 21st November 2017.
5.1% Increase in Average Retail Wages
Retail NZ has published the results of its annual report on wages across the sector and, on average, wages have increased by 5.1 per cent over the last year, from $20.73 to $21.80.
"Masterful, Provocative" novelist visits Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) is excited to host award-winning Australian novelist Charlotte Wood at one of its Writers on Mondays events this month.
Ticket Sales open for Premier Children's Book Event
Tickets have gone on sale for one of the premier events in the children’s literary calendar – the New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. The talented authors, illustrators and translators of the 32 finalist books will gather with their publishers in Wellington on 14 August, and you’re invited to the party as well!
Senior Editor, Te Papa Press
Te Papa Press is seeking a Senior Editor to work with our Publisher, overseeing the entire editorial and production process and delivering high quality books on time and to budget. Closes 26 July.
We are celebrating the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults shortlists this month. Here are our blog reviews of the finalists for the Best First Book Award.
Awatea’s Treasure, by Fraser Smith (Huia Publishers)
'The story is set in the far north of New Zealand, and the atmosphere created by Fraser Smith’s writing is very credible and evocative of life in a reasonably remote area.' Reviewed by Sue Esterman
Like Nobody’s Watching, by LJ Ritchie (Escalator Press)
'The plan is to let the bullies know that they are observed, and thereby potentially end the bullying behaviours , but eventually – and inevitably – the plan goes wrong the roles are reversed."
Reviewed by Sue Esterman
The Discombobulation of Summer Rain, by Julie Lamb (Mākaro Press - Submarine)
'Julie Lamb writes in an easy, flowing manner and there’s heaps of humour along with the magic. Oh, I did not mention magic before? Well, there is quite a lot, as it happens. But you’ll need to read this book to find out just what that magic does.'
Reviewed by Sue Esterman
New Release: Healthy Kids, Happy Lives, by Lea Stening (non-fiction) RRP $25.00
New Release: Chasing Rainbows, by Rebekah Burgess (poetry) RRP: $21.00
