11 February 2013
Star-studded panel to judge Dundee International Book Prize
The winner of this year's Dundee International Book Prize will be chosen by an all-star judging panel comprising novelist A.L. Kennedy, Hollywood star Brian Cox, television presenter Lorraine Kelly, world-renowned architect Lord Norman Foster and top literary agent Claire Alexander.
They will cast their eyes over the work of aspiring novelists from around the world competing for a publishing deal with Cargo Publishing and £10,000, the largest cash prize for unpublished work in the UK.
Now in its 9th year, the Dundee International Book Prize attracts entries from across the globe each year, and is highly valued by new writers seeking to break into the publishing world. Last year's winner was New York writer Jacob Appel's sharply observed post-9/11 satire on patriotism, politics and the media, The Man Who Wouldn't Stand Up.
The competition is a joint venture between the 'Dundee - One City, Many Discoveries' campaign and Literary Dundee, a University-led initiative. It is open to both local writers and authors from around the world.
Literary Dundee Director Anna Day said she was delighted to have such an array of literary experts judging this year's winner.
"What is really interesting this year is that we have a very diverse panel who will each bring their own unique perspective to the judging process," she said. "This is a very accomplished panel with an incredible amount of experience of entertainment and the creative industries.
"We are collating entries as we receive them and can tell from the submissions so far that the judges have a difficult decision ahead of them. I am really looking forward to finding out who they choose as this year's winner, and I am sure they will be a fitting recipient of one of the most exciting literary prizes for unpublished writers in the UK."
Councillor Will Dawson, convener of City Development at Dundee City Council said, "Once again the Dundee International Book Prize has managed to secure a first class panel of judges.
"We are delighted to have on board our very own Brian Cox and Lorraine Kelly, both of whom are fabulous ambassadors for Dundee and we are delighted that they and the others judges are willing to give up their time to find the next winner of this prestigious prize."
Born in Dundee, Brian Cox has gone on to become a Hollywood star, including being the first person to portray Hannibal Lecter on screen, in the film Manhunter. He is currently starring in the BBC comedy series, 'Bob Servant Independent', which is set in Broughty Ferry.
He was recently re-elected as Rector of the University, a position that Lorraine Kelly previously held. Best known as the host of numerous television shows, she is a passionate supporter of her adopted hometown.
A.L. Kennedy was born in Dundee and is the author of six novels as well as several collections of short stories and works of non-fiction. She has won several awards fro her writing and has also performed as a stand-up comedian.
Norman Foster is widely acknowledged as one of the world's top contemporary architects and the Hearst Building and Wembley Stadium are among his best known works.
Claire Alexander is a partner in Aitken Alexander Associates, one of the UK's most successful literary agencies and has worked in the publishing industry for almost 40 years. In 2007, she was named Literary Agent of the Year at the British Book Industry Awards
There is no minimum or maximum length to the manuscript but it must be the author's debut novel. More information about the prize, including a full set of rules and details about how to submit an entry can be found at www.dundeebookprize.com/.
The closing date is Monday, 4th March 2013. Shortlisted authors only will be contacted by the organisers of the prize. The winner will be informed of their success in June and the book will be launched in published form in the autumn as part of the Dundee Literary Festival.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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