James Patterson to judge first New Zealand literacy competition

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release: June 30, 2010
International bestselling author and literacy campaigner, James Patterson, to judge first New Zealand literacy competition

James Patterson is to judge an exclusive literacy competition for New Zealand children, aimed at getting them to read more.

The James Patterson Literacy Promotion competition is being held by book publisher Random House New Zealand (RHNZ) in conjunction with the New Zealand book trade, who will promote the competition in-store with posters, display stands and stickered information on stock of all new books in the following James Patterson’s children’s series: Maximum Ride, Daniel X and Witch or Wizard.

The James Patterson Literacy Promotion competition commences in July 2010 and the winner will be announced in October 2010. Competition entry is through the RHNZ website http://www.randomhouse.co.nz/.

To enter the competition, children must describe in 200 words or less, a plot outline and what will happen in James Patterson’s next children’s book in the Maximum Ride, Daniel X or Witch & Wizard series. The winner will receive a signed letter from James Patterson and $500 worth of Booksellers tokens, to be redeemed nationwide. Booksellers who buy a display pack of 36 new titles from James Patterson’s children’s series will get five books donated to them by RHNZ, to be given to a local school of their choice.

James Patterson is passionate about encouraging both adults and children alike to read, and was partly inspired by his own son Jack, a reluctant reader, to commence his literacy campaigning work. “My son Jack used to hate reading, but three summers ago my wife and I gave him six books that we thought he’d love. We told him to spend time every day reading. He was reluctant but the next summer, he said ‘sure’. Now we can’t stop him reading; he even insists on the three of us having quiet time, reading our own stuff.”

James Patterson has long been involved with projects in the US to promote the enjoyment of reading, most recently with new website http://www.readkiddoread.com/, set up to assist parents in making book choices for their children. He recently formed a partnership with the National Literacy Trust, an independent, UK-based charity that changes lives through literacy, http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/, and now, through the James Patterson Literacy Promotion competition in New Zealand, he is reaching out to Kiwi children.

James Patterson is one of the biggest selling authors in the world; his books have been translated into 49 different languages, and over 150 million copies of his books have been sold across the globe. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past decade: the Women’s Murder Club, the Alex Cross novels, Maximum Ride, and a new young adult series Daniel X. James Patterson has won an Edgar award, the mystery world’s highest honour. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.http://www.jamespatterson.co.uk/.

For further information please contact:
Rachel Dewhurst Publicity Assistant Random House New Zealand Limited
T 09 444 7197 Private Bag 102950, North Shore, North Shore City 0745, New Zealand