The Tasmania Book Prizes 2011 winners will be announced on Sunday, 3 April at the Hobart Town Hall, hosted by Fenella Kernebone ...

An island of tremendous contrast, diversity and natural beauty that harbours an at-times dark cultural history, Tasmania has captured the imaginations of many local, national and international writers and is home to a vibrant literary community.

The Tasmania Book Prizes is a biennial suite of prizes that recognise excellence in writing and publishing. The prizes celebrate writing about Tasmania and pay homage to the Tasmanian writers and publishers who contribute so much to the island’s cultural landscape.

Emerging from the Tasmania Pacific Region Prizes in 2007, the Tasmania Book Prizes are presented by Arts Tasmania in partnership with the University of Tasmania and in association with Ten Days on the Island. The $35 000 Tasmania Book Prizes recognise significant achievement across three categories: best book with Tasmanian content in any genre, best book by a Tasmanian writer and best book by a Tasmanian publisher.

The 2011 entries are a true reflection of the calibre and vitality of Tasmania’s literary sector, with 69 titles submitted for the consideration including novels, histories, poetry, biographies, memoirs and a wide variety of non-fiction.

Judges Anna Johnston from the University of Tasmania, poet Tim Thorne and retired book retailer Irene McGuire, had the difficult task of narrowing the submission down to a shortlist of three titles in each category. Ms Johnston, chair of the judging committee, praised the strength and diversity of entries for this year’s awards.

“The rich, imaginative and intellectual climate that Tasmania provides for its writers has been evident across the books submitted for the prizes,” Ms Johnston said.

“We have found deciding the shortlists to be a challenging but very stimulating task and we hope that Tasmanian readers will enjoy engaging with the short-listed books as much as we have.”

The 2011 Tasmania Book Prizes winners will be announced at a gala event on Sunday 3 April at the Hobart Town Hall, presented as a part of the Ten Days on the Island Program. Hosted by the ABC’s
Fenella Kernebone who presents Art Nation every Sunday, members of the public are invited to attend and be treated to the opportunity to hear from the shortlisted authors, affording an insight into the inspiration behind the works.

Fenella will also be hosting a forum with selected shortlisted authors and publishers on Saturday 2 April, where the discussion will centre on the topic: What is the great Tasmanian book?

The Tasmania Book Prizes events are free to attend and will be full of lively and provocative discussion, guaranteeing that the first weekend in April will be an exciting time for local book worms and literature lovers.

2011 TASMANIA BOOK PRIZES SHORTLIST

The Tasmania Book Prize: for best book with Tasmanian content in any genre - $25,000
Wanting by Richard Flanagan (Random House, 2008)
What Now, Tilda B? by Kathryn Lomer (University of Queensland Press, 2010)
In Search of Hobart by Peter Timms (New South, October 2009)

The Margaret Scott Prize: for best book by a Tasmanian writer - $5,000
Arabesques by Robert Dessaix (Pan MacMillan Australia, 2008) Real Food Companion by Matthew Evans (Murdoch Books, 2010)
What Now, Tilda B? by Kathryn Lomer (University of Queensland Press, 2010)

The University of Tasmania Prize: for the best book by a Tasmanian publisher - $5,000
Blubber Head Press for Van Diemen’s Land Revealed edited by Dan Sprod (2009) Pardalote Press for Postcards from the Asylum by Karen Knight (2008) Pedder 2000 inc., for Pedder - The story, The paintings by Max Angus (2008)

2011 TASMANIA BOOK PRIZES PUBLIC EVENTS
Events are free to attend. No booking is required. Seats offered on a first in, first served basis.
What: Forum: What is the great Tasmanian book? When: Saturday 2 April from 3 - 4.30pm Where: Hobart Town Hall, 50 Macquarie Street What: Tasmania Book Prizes 2011 Announcements When: Sunday 3 April from 3 – 5.30pm Where: Hobart Town Hall, 50 Macquarie Street

What Fullers says ...

MEDIA RELEASE
Fullers Bookshop presents Tasmanian literary crème de la crème

Fullers Bookshop in conjunction with the Tasmanian Writers Festival and the Home Truths Literary Festival is happy to announce that all of the shortlisted authors and publishers will be reading at Fullers over three exciting evenings.

All eight nominees for the three Tasmanian Book Prizes will be reading at Fullers from their nominated books on Wednesday, March 30, Thursday March 31st and Friday, April 1st.

The authors include Robert Dessaix, Peter Timms and Richard Flanagan. Full details are available below.

Wednesday, March 30th The University of Tasmania Prize for the best book by a Tasmanian publisher
Pedder - Max Angus (Pedder 2000 inc, 2008),
Karen Knight (Postcards from the Asylum Pardalote Press, 2008)
Dan Sprod (Van Diemen’s Land Revealed, Blubber Head Press, 2009)
Thursday 31st of March The Margaret Scott Prize for best book by a Tasmanian writer
Matthew Evans (Real Food Companion, byMurdoch Books, 2010)
Robert Dessaix (Arabesques, Pan McMillan Australia, 2008).
Kathryn Lomer is also nominated for this prize as well as the Tasmanian Book Prize and she will be reading on Friday evening
Friday, April 1st The Tasmania Book Prize for best book with Tasmanian content in any genre
Peter Timms (In Search of Hobart, New South Books, 2009)
Richard Flanagan (Wanting, Random House 2009)
Kathryn Lomer (What Now, Tilda B? University of Queensland Press, 2010).

For further information please contact Rachel at Fullers bookshop 6234 3800

Everyone is welcome to attend these free events.