( Added: January 25, 2010 )  -  Creative New Zealand is calling for applications from established New Zealand writers for the Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers’ Fellowship, valued at $100,000.

The fellowship is open to authors of any literary genre, who have already published a significant body of work, to support their work on a major project over two or more years.

First offered in 2003, the fellowship was renamed in recognition of the late Dr Michael King for his contribution to literature and his role in advocating for a major fellowship for New Zealand writers.

Previous recipients of the fellowship are Owen Marshall, Vincent O’Sullivan, C.K. Stead, Rachel Barrowman, Neville Peat, Dame Fiona Kidman and 2009 recipient Philip Simpson who is currently researching his book on the natural and cultural history of totara.

Philip Simpson says the Michael King Fellowship galvanizes commitment. “It has allowed me to plan my research carefully over an extended period and enables work that would not be possible with less generous resources."

Creative New Zealand’s literary genre priorities include fiction, poetry, children’s fiction, biography, autobiography, essays, histories, literary criticism, analytical prose of high literary standard and creative non-fiction.

Creative New Zealand is seeking applications from writers who have published critically acclaimed literature works; been short-listed for, or received one or more literary awards or fellowships. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 26 February, 2010.

For further information and criteria of this award please refer to the Creative New Zealand website Special Opportunities page www.creativenz.govt.nz or contact Felicity Birch, Programme Adviser, Creative New Zealand, (04) 498 0735 felicity.birch@creativenz.govt.nz