Claire Mabey wins the Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award
Wellington-based author Claire Mabey has won the Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award and will receive a $30,000 gift to support her ongoing work, presented by the Aotearoa New Zealand Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi.
Mabey’s debut middle-grade adventure novel, The Raven’s Eye Runaways (A&U Children’s NZ, 2024), won Best First Book at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. The novel’s sequel, The Raven’s Eye Rebellion (A&U Children’s NZ), was published in April this year; and Mabey’s first picture book, Cass and the Beast (illustrated by Jill Calder, Gecko Press), is due to be released in August.
Mabey is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis, books editor at the Spinoff, book reviewer on RNZ and the ABC’s The Bookshelf, and co-curator of the writers’ program at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
The judging panel of Ann Packer, Tim Tipene and Kate de Goldi said, “Claire Mabey is a resplendent flare in Aotearoa children’s fiction. Her work bristles with the qualities of great children’s literature: spirited storytelling, imaginative invention, characters who speak to childhood yearnings and ideals.
“Her writing is rich and musical; she writes up to her readers, respecting their capacity. In the tradition of enduring fantasy, she explores with subtlety real world questions – greed and the misuse of authority – and the power of dedicated resistance.
“Above all, at every level, Claire’s work demonstrates the deep history of her own reading, and her fierce belief in the radical sustenance of story and language.”
Mabey said, “I have so many ideas in my head and in notebooks and now, thanks to this generosity, I can take a sabbatical and work on them, full-time. This kind of support is huge for artists – life-changing. I am tremendously thankful and will not waste a moment!”
The Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award celebrates “authors who have established their identity in the field of children’s literature, showcasing richness, range, and depth in their work”.
Supported by Dame Lynley Dodd, the award is “inspired by a pivotal moment in Lynley’s career when a financial gift transformed her path, enabling her to continue writing, and ultimately becoming a celebrated writer and illustrator”.
The Lynley Dodd Children’s Writers Award is presented every two years, alternating with the Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award, which recognises children’s illustrators.
Mabey is the second recipient of the award. The inaugural award was presented to Whangārei-based author Janine Williams, known by her pen name JL Williams.
Category: Awards Local news
