Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing

The Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing is organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand in association with the New Zealand Listener magazine and the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington.

There are two categories: fiction and non-fiction. Winners from each category will be awarded a cash prize of $2500 and the winning entries will be printed in the New Zealand Listener.

2009 Competition details

EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE

"I live at the edge of the universe, like everybody else."
  --Bill Manhire

This year we are celebrating the International Year of Astronomy.  Ever since Galileo first aimed his telescope at Jupiter's moons, technology has been enlarging our knowledge of the universe.

We now know our own insignificance and isolation and yet we have immense power to communicate as never before. The race of humans is isolated in space and time and yet where, as individuals, do we go to be alone?

You are invited to write about the place - past or present or future - of human beings in the universe.

Entry details

The length of your piece should be between 2,000 – 3,000 words. 

There are two categories, fiction and non-fiction.  For the purposes of the competition, the fiction category covers science fiction as well as the realistic short story.  The non-fiction category covers a wide range of genre from personal essays to profiles to travel writing, but entries must have substantial scientific content. 

Entries will be judged on their literary merits and the extent to which they engage a non-scientific audience and are accessible to the general public.

A prize of $2,500 will be awarded to the winner of each category.  Arrangements will be made for both winners to attend a presentation function in November 2009, all expenses paid.

Closing date for entries

Entries must be received by 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 22 September 2009

How to enter

To enter send two copies of your manuscript and
an entry form (pdf) to:

Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing
Royal Society of New Zealand
PO Box 598
Wellington 6140

Entry Form

Download 2009 Manhire Prize entry form (pdf)
This must be completed and sent with your manuscripts to the above address.

Terms and Conditions of Entry

Terms and Conditions of entry
Outlines the terms and conditions of entry for the 2009 competition

 

• NZ Listener Advertisement and entry form (pdf, 70KB)
• 2008 winning & shortlisted entries
• 2007 winning entries

 

The New Zealand Listener magazine and the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington are proud to support the Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing.