London: 23 October 2000: Online retailer, Amazon.co.uk today announced a shortlist of seven new writers, two of which will be awarded writers' bursaries. The shortlisted authors were selected by a judging panel comprising Zadie Smith, Sarah Waters and Alain de Botton among others.

It is the first year that the bursary scheme has been run by Amazon.co.uk and it marks the company's commitment to literature and nurturing new writing talent. Two of the shortlisted writers will be selected for a bursary which will help them complete their critical second project that can make or break a writing career.

Zadie Smith, who chaired the judging panel, said, "I am very chuffed to be involved in the Amazon.co.uk bursaries. A second novel is a problematic enough thing anyway, but when the creative challenge is combined with financial difficulties, that can make the writer's task seem impossible. Amazon.co.uk's award enables writers to get a little space and time in which to concentrate on the job at hand. It is the kind of prize that is genuinely in touch with what every writer needs to fulfill their potential."

The judges decided on the shortlist of seven writers. Commenting on the quality of the entries, Sarah Waters said, "They are all strong contenders for the Amazon.co.uk awards. Collectively, they reveal the range, vitality and ambition of new British fiction."

The writers, who have each published one previous work, are competing for two 2,500 bursaries plus a three month sabbatical post. Amazon.co.uk is working in partnership with Queen Mary & Westfield College, Royal Holloway and Bedford New Colleges at the University of London who will provide all the facilities for the two winning writers to take up their sabbaticals.

The two winners will be announced on 11 December 2000 at an evening event to be held at the Hempel Hotel, London.

The full shortlist of winners is:

James Flint
Button.com
Habitus
4th Estate

Susan Elderkin
The Boy From Never-Never-Land
Sunset Over Chocolate Mountains
4th Estate

Jim Pollard
The Great Peckham Novel
Rotten in Denmark
Smith/Doorstop Books

Justina Robson
Mappa Mundi
Silver Screen
Macmillan

Richard Frost
Vice Versa
Brain & Body
Allison & Busby

Anne Harries
Armed Response
Manly Pursuits
Bloomsbury

Notes to editors:
Entrants must have published one previous novel or volume of short stories within the last two years and have been recommended by their publisher, agent or Amazon.co.uk customers. Entrants must be over the age of 18.

 

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For further information please contact the Amazon.co.uk press office on 0208 636 9280

About Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk today offers more than 2 million books, CDs, DVDs, software titles, pc & video games and videos, hosts online auctions and provides a complete online storefront for individual merchants through its zShops. Amazon.co.uk customers enjoy the benefits of industry-leading, online shopping technology such as secure credit-card payment; personalised recommendations; streamlined, 1-Click. ordering and hassle-free Bid-Click auction bidding. Through Amazon Anywhere, Amazon.co.uk also is available on mobile phones with WAP technology; look at www.amazon.co.uk/anywhere for details.

Amazon.co.uk is the trading name for Amazon.com Int'l Sales, Inc., and Amazon.com International Auctions, Inc., which are both wholly owned subsidiaries of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), the Internet's No. 1 book, No. 1 music and No. 1 video retailer, which opened its virtual doors on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and has already provided safe and convenient shopping to more than 23 million customers worldwide.