Ockham New Zealand Book Awards Longlist 2023
A record 191 books were entered into this year’s awards, from which a longlist of 44 titles across four categories has been selected. Excitingly, almost one third of the longlistees are debut authors; New Zealand’s literary industry is clearly thriving.
There are 10 titles vying for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. Previous winners and Kiwi literary heavyweights such as Lloyd Jones (The fish), Vincent O’Sullivan (Mary’s boy, Jean-Jacques and other stories) and Catherine Chidgey (The axeman’s carnival) are up against up-and-coming new writers like Coco Solid (How to loiter in a turf war) and Anthony Lapwood (Home theatre). Subject matter ranges widely, from serial killers (Michael Bennett, Better the blood) to sci fi (Phillip Mann, Chevalier & Gawayn) to a “kitchen sink domestic” (Murdoch Stephens, Down from Upland). The sole woman survivor of an infamous NZ shipwreck battles for survival (Cristina Sanders, Mrs Jewell and the wreck of the General Grant) while a young man learns about his tipuna’s epic adventure in pre-colonial Aotearoa (Monty Soutar, Kāwai). If the result was based solely on the number of holds Dunedin Public Libraries borrowers have placed, Kāwai and The axeman’s carnival would be the top contenders.
This year there are 14 titles longlisted for the General Non-Fiction Award, instead of the usual 10. The titles range from the latest instalment in a beloved NZ novelist’s memoirs (Fiona Kidman’s So far for now), to the story of the first pākeha woman resident in Aotearoa (Thief, convict, pirate, wife by Jennifer Ashton), to the story of 24 inspirational tūpuna of the North (A fire in the belly of Hineāmaru by Melinda Webber). Multitalented Dunedin writer Bill Morris’ The road to Gondwana is another fascinating read on the longlist. If Dunedin Public Library borrowers had a vote through their holds, Grand by Noelle McCarthy would be the clear winner, with A history of New Zealand in 100 objects by Jock Phillips coming in second.
The Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry longlist is comprised of 10 thought-provoking, heartfelt titles, four of which are from debut writers. 10 sumptuous titles are longlisted for the Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand Award for Illustrated Non-Fiction. Of particular relevance to our region is Tāngata Ngāi Tahu | People of Ngāi Tahu Volume Two edited by Helen Brown and Michael J Stevens.
Did your favourite Kiwi reads from the past year make the longlist? Immerse yourself in the cream of the crop of Aotearoa’s publishing industry. Search “Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2023” on the library catalogue for all longlisted titles or check out https://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards/2023-awards/longlist/
The judges now have the unenviable task of whittling the longlist down to four titles in each category before the shortlist is announced on 8 March. Congratulations and best wishes to all authors. The winners will be revealed on 17 May.