NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize
The NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize is an award for published and unpublished New Zealand writers. It is named after New Zealand writer Laura Solomon, who died in 2019, and funded by a gift from her family. It was first awarded in 2021.
History
[edit]The NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize[1] is an award which celebrates and commemorates the life and work of New Zealand writer Laura Solomon.
Laura Solomon was a poet, novelist, playwright and software developer, and a long time member of NZSA. When she was 22, her first novel Black Light was published, but her writing career was later cut short by the diagnosis of a brain tumour. She died on 18 February 2019, aged 44.
The Prize was established and funded from a bequest from Laura Solomon and The Solomon Family in 2020.[2] The announcement of the inaugural winner was made in 2021.[1][3]
Eligibility and conditions
[edit]The Prize is open to published or unpublished authors who have New Zealand citizenship or are permanent residents of New Zealand. It covers manuscripts from a wide range of genres including fiction, poetry, drama, creative non-fiction, and writing for children.
The judging criteria, as set by Laura Solomon, call for new writing with a “unique and original vision”. It is judged by a three-person panel consisting of one New Zealand literary figure and representatives from the Solomon family and The Cuba Press.
The winner is awarded a cash award of $1000 (as an advance) and a publishing contract with The Cuba Press.[1]
List of winners by year
[edit]- 2021: Lizzie Harwood, Polaroid Nights.[4]
- 2022: Rachel Fenton, Between the Flags.[5][6][7][8] Runner-up: Philippa Werry, Iris and Me.
- 2023: Lee Murray, Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud.[9] Runner-up: Melanie Kwang, Faultlines.[9]
- 2024: Tracy Farr, Wonderland.[10] Runner-up: Abigail von Ahse, Flawless.
- 2025: Susanna Elliffe, Relic Party.[11][12] Runner-up: Belinda O’Keefe, Trespassers Will Be Baked, Scrambled, Fried and Eaten.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize". NZSA The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "NEW! NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize - open for applications". Academy of New Zealand Literature. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ "Lizzie Harwood is the inaugural winner of the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize! | New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa". Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ Reed, Chris. "Polaroid Nights by Lizzie Harwood". NZ Booklovers. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Announcing the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize 2022 winner!". NZSA New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "National recognition for novelist". Oamaru Mail. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Forster, Sarah (30 November 2022). "Book reviews: new YA from Aotearoa". The Sapling. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Gibson, Nova (8 February 2023). "Between the flags". Read NZ Te Pou Muramura. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Announcing the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize 2023 winner!". NZSA: The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc). 19 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Farr wins NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize". Books+Publishing. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ "Elliffe awarded the 2025 NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize". Books+Publishing. 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ "Susanna Elliffe Is Winner Of The 2025 NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize!". Scoop. 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-08-04.