16 August 2005
Dundee International Book Prize 2007
The most coveted literary award among unpublished novelists is back and is bigger and better
than before.
The Dundee International Book Prize 2007 aims to discover exciting new writers whether they live
on the Tay or the Tiber and give them the platform they need to break in to the book world.
The prize has a global reach and that fact has been reflected in the decision to adopt the word
international in to the name for 2007 and to increase the prize money to £10,000.
The new prize fund makes the Dundee International Book Prize 2007 one of the most significant
literary competitions for unpublished authors anywhere in the world.
The winning author will also have the satisfaction of joining the three previous Dundee Book Prize
winners in seeing their work published.
BBC Scotland's political editor and literary enthusiast Brian Taylor helped launch the 2007 prize
at an event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival today (WED).
He said, "The literary scene in Scotland is definitely jumping - and the Dundee International Book
Prize plays a big part in maintaining the momentum.
"As a Dundee lad myself, I'm pleased that my noble native city has rediscovered its creative roots.
I believe that literature and the arts in general help to shape a nation. Consequently, I'm
delighted to do what I can to help."
The organisers of the book prize are also delighted to announce that two new judges have agreed to
adjudicate for the Dundee International Book Prize 2007.
Journalist and broadcaster James Naughtie, who presents BBC Radio 4's popular Bookclub programme,
and award winning author Carl MacDougall, who recently wrote and presented the eight-part BBC
television series Writing Scotland, will take on the difficult task.
James Naughtie said, "Dundee Book Prize - now Dundee International Book Prize - has carved itself a
unique niche in the writing world over the last few years. Its offer of publication and a
substantial cash prize for an unpublished novel is a tremendous boost for anyone trying to make
that all important first break into books. I'm delighted to judge Dundee International Book Prize
2007."
Carl MacDougall - who was creative writing fellow at the University of Dundee back in the late
1970’s - said, "I regard this as a very exciting adventure. Anything that brings new writers and
new writing to public notice is to be welcomed. I look forward enormously to seeing what people
send to Dundee International Book Prize."
Best selling Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin - who presided over the 2005 competition - wished
the book prize well.
He said, "Always one of the most exciting and challenging writing prizes in the UK, the Dundee
International Book Prize now has real cash clout - it's the sort of thing aspiring writers
throughout the world dream of winning. Long may it prosper!"
The Dundee Book Prize 2005 proved to be the most hotly contested award in terms of the quantity of
applications and the quality of submissions. The outright winner, Malcolm Archibald, vividly
captured the Scottish whaling industry in the 1860s.
The prize is for an unpublished novel on any theme and in any genre. The first three Dundee Book
Prize winning novels (all published by Polygon) were Tumulus by Andrew Murray Scott, The Curewife
by Claire-Marie Watson and Whales for the Wizard by Malcolm Archibald.
Dundee is a city which embraces writers - A.L.Kennedy was born and bred in the city while Douglas
Dunn, Kate Atkinson, John Burnside and Rosamunde Pilcher are amongst the glitterati who have drawn
on the City of Discovery for their inspiration over the last two decades.
James Meek, an award winning journalist who spent his formative years in Dundee, has been
long-listed for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction for his latest novel The People's Act of Love.
Notes to Editors:
The Dundee International Book Prize 2007 is a joint venture between the City of Discovery Campaign,
University of Dundee and Birlinn Ltd, publishers of the Polygon imprint.
More information about the Dundee International Book Prize 2007 is available by visiting
www.dundeebookprize.com
The City of Discovery Campaign is the promotional arm of the Dundee Partnership and is also
supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Its aim is to lead the way in positively
transforming the image of Dundee locally, nationally and internationally, and to ensure that a
more accurate perception of the city as a vibrant, attractive and flourishing location is held by
residents, visitors, the business community and potential investors.
Media enquiries:
Graham Huband
PR Director
City of Discovery Campaign
01382 305160
07775 504222
graham@benchmarkpr.co.uk
By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk | 
