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soi 3 modern poet, B.R. Dionysius, has had his recent verse novel, Universal Andalusia, shortlisted for the C J Dennis Prize for Poetry.
This major prize - one of twelve prize categories in the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards - is offered for a significant selection of new work by a poet published in a book. Previous winners have included MTC Cronin (2005), Judith Beveridge (2004), Emma Lew (2003), Robert Gray (2002), and John Mateer (2001).
Judges of this year's prize - Judith Rodriguez, Rodney Hall and Emma Lew - stated that "The 63 poetry entries demonstrate the field's profusion and variety. Over a dozen books remained in contention at a late stage. Several first books made strong claims, for instance, those by Aidan Coleman and (soi 3 modern poet) Luke Beesley - and this in a year when entrants included a number of acclaimed poets. Like previous judges, we note that 'Selecteds' are at a disadvantage if they do not offer a substantial number of previously uncollected poems, eligible within the award's guidelines. All the short-listed works engage the reader by the imaginative reach of the project as well as by poetic skills and voice."
Here's what Judith, Rodney and Emma had to say about Universal Andalusia:
"B.R. Dionysius's book-length picaresque sequence, Universal Andalusia, is a brash, exuberant, packed free-associative work. Here, rather larger than life, is a dead-serious Australian at large with his Australienne, Baldwin with his Roxanne, and their world of travel discoveries. Readers bounced about, aghast, in the chaos of Baldwin's argot, cultural references and misadventures have Dionysius to thank for an endearingly risky spree."
Dionysius' Universal Andalusia is in good company, shortlisted alongside Susan Hampton's The Kindly Ones and John Tranter's Urban Myths: 210 Poems.
Winners of this year's Awards - including the C J Dennis Prize for Poetry - will be announced at a celebratory dinner and presentation to be held at Zinc, Federation Square, Melbourne on Monday 04 September 2006 at 7pm.
You can receive the latest news about the Premier's Literary Awards by joining the PLA mailing list by emailing pla@slv.vic.gov.au or visit http://www.slv.vic.gov.au to find out more.
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