Walking a Tightrope in Bare Feet
the best of New Zealand young writing, selected by
Tessa Duder and James Norcliffe.
ISBN 9780958288897
RRP 34.50
This is the 12th book in the Re-Draft
series which annually showcases creative writing by New Zealand teenagers.
As James Norcliffe said in his introduction to The World’s Steepest Street, the 10th
in the series (2010) , those who appear in Re-Draft are “not only young writers
but very good writers who just happen to be still in their teens.” The Re-Draft books provide a glimpse of the
future of New Zealand writing and the future looks very bright indeed.
From hundreds of entries received from all parts of
New Zealand, the selectors judge the quality without knowing the names, ages,
locations or gender of the entrants. As might be expected, those who are of
senior high school age or perhaps in the first year or two of university study
tend to fill much of the book, but Year 9, 10 and 11 writers often win places
where many of their elders miss out.
Each year the deadline for entries is 30 September.
Judging is completed in October, and then there's a mad rush for School for
Young Writers director Glyn Strange to edit, design, publish and launch the
book before Christmas. The standard of the publications is said to be
astounding given the time frame. Unlike some other competition organisers,
Re-Draft does not place an embargo on entries for inordinate lengths of time.
It has to be recognised that there is a limit to how many fine stories or
well-turned poems teenagers still in the education system will have time to
write, and competition organisers should be willing to give them as many
opportunities as possible to succeed.
Publication is the prize (and a free copy of the book
for those who achieve this level of excellence). There are normally 40 or more
"winners" a year, so cash prizes are out of the question. The real
writers are the ones who just want to see themselves in print and the very best
come back year after year. Some who leave New Zealand to take up further study
overseas cannot resist the lure of publication in Re-Draft. They're happy with
their free copy and the glow of achievement in a tough competition. It is
normal that regular entrants express sadness at turning 20 and becoming
ineligible for the competition, but at least by then they have built up a solid
portfolio of published work.
Available from all good booksellers, and
from The School for Young Writers, PO Box 21-120, Christchurch 8143. Can be
ordered direct from the School for Young Writers website www.schoolforyoungwriters.org
where the RRP includes postage and packaging.
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