Some of New Zealand's best writers will be showcased to the world in 2006, thanks to the New Zealand Book Council's International Writers' Programme.

Book Council Chief Executive, Karen Ross, is delighted to announce that nine Kiwi writers will be receiving financial support this year to attend high profile international literary festivals.

Image: Paula Morris is off to Shanghai on the International Writers Programme.Some of New Zealand's best writers will be showcased to the world in 2006, thanks to the New Zealand Book Council's International Writers' Programme.

Book Council Chief Executive, Karen Ross, is delighted to announce that nine Kiwi writers will be receiving financial support this year to attend high profile international literary festivals.

Image: Paula Morris is off to Shanghai on the International Writers Programme.They are:
Paula Morris to Shanghai
Damien Wilkins to Guardian Hay
Fiona Farrell and Fiona Kidman to Edinburgh
Stephanie Johnson to Toronto, Vancouver and Banff

Peter Wells to Brisbane
Emma Neale to Sydney
Vincent O' Sullivan to Adelaide Hinemoana Baker to Queensland

Ross says the calibre of applicants was very high and reflects the quality of writing being published in New Zealand. The programme is an important way to promote their work. 'It's exciting to be able to expand the market for New Zealand writers and foster closer literary relations with other countries.'

Part of the programme includes an exchange of writers between New Zealand and Australia to attend literary festivals. The Book Council is so far hosting Australian writers Michelle de Krester, who appeared during the New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week, and Colin Thompson, who will feature at the children's literature festival, Storylines.

Additional funding for the International Writers' Programme is provided by Creative New Zealand's Audience and Market Development scheme, with the Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian High Commission supporting the exchange of writers between New Zealand and Australia.

Previous recipients of the programme have included Catherine Chidgey, Ian Wedde, Tusiata Avia, Witi Ihimaera, Elizabeth Smither and Jenny Bornholdt.