
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Jessica Savage
505-532-1486
jsavage@cybermesa.com
January 24, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Fiction book entries sought for women’s book contest
LAS CRUCES – An outstanding New Mexican writer will be honored for her work of fiction next spring when her book receives the prestigious Zia Award.
Given each year by the New Mexico Press Women at their annual conference, women writers living in the state are invited to submit their books for consideration for the award.
The 2007 Zia Award will be given to the author of a fiction book published in 2004, 2005 or 2006. The fiction work can include poetry, short stories or a full-length novel as long as the material is published in book form. Each year the award rotates to one of three categories: fiction, children’s literature and non-fiction. To accommodate this schedule, a book published in the last three years is eligible.
Submissions can be made by the author or by someone else on behalf of the author, such as a publisher. Membership in the association is not required, but the writer must be a woman. Authors must also live in the state or have a strong connection to New Mexico; however the book can be published anywhere. Submissions are free and must be received by Feb 28, 2007.
The 2006 Zia Award went to Roberta Price for her non-fiction memoir titled Huerfano: A Memoir of Life in the Counterculture. The 2008 Zia Award will be designated for children’s literature. The Zia Award was started by members in 1953 to honor an outstanding woman in New Mexico media.
The New Mexico Press Women is the state chapter affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women and exists to provide professional development, networking and First Amendment right protection to professional journalists and communicators. For more information on the association please visit the website at: www.NewMexicoPressWomen.org.
Book entries are considered a donation to the organization and are not returned. The books will be part of the silent auction held at the annual spring awards banquet to raise scholarship funds.
To submit a book entry to the Zia Award contest please send a cover letter with contact information and the book to the following address by Feb.28, 2007:
Jessica Savage
Zia Award Contest Chair
1612 Ralph Dr.
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(For more information on the contest call 505-532-1486 or email at: jsavage@cybermesa.com.)
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