Justina Robson and James Flint receive inaugural awards

London: December 11 2000: Amazon.co.uk today announced the winners of its first Writers' Bursary awards. Justina Robson and James Flint were presented with their awards by author Zadie Smith at the Hempel Hotel, London.

Robson's Mappa Mundi and Flint's Button.com were chosen from a shortlist of six projects by a distinguished judging panel comprising Zadie Smith, Alain de Botton, and Sarah Waters, as well as Amazon.co.uk's managing editor, Rachel Holmes and two Amazon.co.uk customers.

Commenting on the awards, Zadie Smith said, " 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."

"We particularly liked Mappa Mundi and Button.com because of their originality and engaging narrative."

2000 is the bursary scheme's inaugural year, marking Amazon.co.uk's ongoing commitment to literature and the nurturing of new writing talent.

The writers, who have each published one previous work, were competing for two bursary awards. The bursaries - a cash prize of 2,500 and a three month sabbatical at a participating university - are designed to help writers complete their critical second projects which can make or break a writing career.

Rachel Holmes, managing editor of Amazon.co.uk and member of the judging panel, said, "At Amazon.co.uk, we recognise the pressures writers are under, particularly those trying to write their second novels. The Writers' Bursaries provide two authors with financial and creative support to help them forge a successful career."

Rachel Holmes, managing editor of Amazon.co.uk and member of the judging panel, said, "At Amazon.co.uk, we recognise the pressures writers are under, particularly those trying to write their second novels. The Writers' Bursaries provide two authors with financial and creative support to help them forge a successful career."

The final shortlist of authors comprised:

 

Author

Bursary Project

First Book

Publisher

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

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