new writing prize to advance animal protection

YugaYuga

For details, visit voiceless.org.au website, or follow the links:
http://www.voiceless.org.au/Abou ... mal_protection.html
http://www.voiceless.org.au/imag ... eless_12dec2011.pdf

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Lucrative new writing prize to advance animal protection        
01 December 2011

One of Australia’s most innovative and lucrative short form writing competitions was announced last night by Voiceless, the animal protection institute. The Voiceless Writing Prize sponsored by Australian Ethical Investment will award a total prize pool of well over $20,000 to writers who compellingly address the relationship between humans and animals, and animal sentience.

Nobel Laureate J. M. Coetzee, who has written extensively on the ethics of our treatment of animals, is Patron of the prize. “There is a rich world literature which takes animals - their feelings, wishes and desires - seriously. As of this year, Voiceless will be awarding a prize to recognise the best Australian short fiction and non-fiction that has at its heart the place of animals in the world we have made," said Professor Coetzee.

Having twice won the Man Booker Prize for his own novels, Professor Coetzee will now chair the judging panel for the prize. He is joined by Voiceless co-founder and MD Ondine Sherman; Literary Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, Susan Wyndham; and immediate past Sydney Writers Festival Director, Dr. Wendy Were.

Australia’s largest independent publisher, Allen & Unwin, will publish a collection of the best pieces in 2012.

“Allen & Unwin is pleased to be involved in this unique prize, which brings attention to an important issue while offering generous opportunities for the writing community. The relationship between man and beast is fundamental to human life and provides writers with rich and complex material,” said Sue Hines, Trade Publishing Director.

The Sydney Morning Herald will support the prize as Media Partner. “The Herald is full of great writing every day, great writing based upon the values of independence and integrity. We are happy to lend our support to a prize aimed at inspiring great writing and the exploration of ideas. The subject matter here is contentious and potentially controversial. It will divide opinions, no doubt. But, just as the Herald doesn't shy away from difficult subjects, I would encourage entrants to be challenging and fearless.  I wish all of them the very best," said Peter Fray, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of The Sydney Morning Herald.

Leading ethical fund manager Australian Ethical Investment has come on board as inaugural financial sponsor of the Prize. Phil Vernon, Managing Director of Australian Ethical Investment said, “Animal welfare is one of Australian Ethical’s core values. We have been at the forefront of ethical investing for over 25 years and we only invest in companies, and support organisations, that have a highly positive impact on the society and the environment. To that end, we are proud supporters of the Voiceless Writing Prize for 2012.”

The winner chosen by the judging panel will receive $15,000, while the public will vote for the People’s Choice to receive $5,000. Voiceless Councillor Deborah Debnam together with Peter Debnam have sponsored the People’s Choice for 2012, 2013, and 2014. All writers published in the collection will receive $500.

Voiceless co-founders and managing directors Brian Sherman AM and Ondine Sherman said, “We are delighted to launch The Voiceless Writing Prize sponsored by Australian Ethical Investment. We are confident that it will inspire Australian writers to contribute to the growing conversation around our relationship with and treatment of animals, at a time when pubic interest in animal justice is at an all-time high”.

Writers are invited to submit fiction and non-fiction pieces of 5-10,000 words. Stories should focus on animals raised for food or found in the Australian environment. Entries close on 16 March 2012.