The founder of the Christchurch School for Young Writers, Dr Glyn Strange, is the winner of the 2010 Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award for outstanding service to the development of literature and literacy in New Zealand children. Dr Strange began the not-for-profit school in 1993, originally as a regional enterprise but now very much a national institution.
‘Using mostly online communication, the School for Young Writers offers mentoring, publication opportunities, competitions and workshops to help young writers from all over the country to explore all aspects of creative writing,’ says Storylines Trust chairperson Dr Libby Limbrick.
‘Undoubtedly, the many thousands who have passed through the school have been given a solid grounding in writing prose and poetry which will benefit their adult careers in whatever field.’
The school’s twice-yearly magazine Write-On for writers aged eight to 18 and the annual anthology of poetry and prose, Re-draft (now in its tenth year), together offer students regular opportunities to see their work published and appreciated by a wide audience.
After completing a doctorate in English, Dr Strange worked in academic and personnel fields. As well as guiding the development of the School for Young Writers, he has published four books.
The award, honouring the author and educator Betty Gilderdale, was instituted by Storylines in 2000 to acknowledge long-standing service in the wide field of children’s books and literacy. Previous recipients have included authors Jean Bennett and Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira, and literary agent Ray Richards.
A public presentation function is being held by the Storylines Trust in Auckland on Wednesday 10 November, 2010. For more information, and opportunities to interview Dr Glyn Strange, please contact Christine Young, Executive Officer Storylines.