Sandstone Press is delighted to announce that Me and Mr Booker by Cory Taylor is Regional Winner, Pacific, of the Commonwealth Book Prize 2012. Book and author go forward to the overall final at the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts on June 8th.

Sandstone Press Managing Director Robert Davidson says: ‘Cory Taylor’s book is a triumph of empathy and an acute commentary on family and sexual relationships. Told entirely without judgement it lays bare the vulnerability of individuals across not only the sexes but also the generations. The voice of Martha is going to resonate wherever it is heard.’

Author Cory Taylor says: ‘To have this kind of recognition for your work is exciting for any writer, given that writing is so much about confidence in the worth of what you’re trying to do. And to be recognized out of a field of such quality and diversity is especially thrilling. It gives me a special sense of connection to new writers from all over the world. Somehow the imperative to tell stories seems less isolating and more like a communal undertaking.’

Author Isla Dewar has already given this comment: ‘A beautifully paced and endlessly witty book about love and about growing up. Not the inevitable moving into adulthood growing up, but the growing up we all have to do, and keep on doing all our lives. I loved this book.’

Chair of the Commonwealth Book Prize, Margaret Busby says, ‘We were wonderfully spoilt for choice among some strong regional contenders on the shortlist. Here are novels with memorable characters, unpredictable situations, a sense of humour, books that give insights into cultures and histories not our own, crafted by writers who care about language, and its ability to renew and enrich our view of the world.’

Sandstone Press will release both book and ebook to the British and Irish markets on July 19th 2012. The book is published in Australia by Text.

Source: Sandstone Press