Orange Broadband Award for New Writers shortlist: 8 April 2008
Awards Ceremony: 4 June 2008

London, 11 December 2007: Launched in 2005 in partnership with Arts Council England, the Orange Broadband Award for New Writers celebrates potential and emerging female literary talent throughout the world.

This year’s judging panel has been confirmed as:
Shami Chakrabati (Chair), Director of Liberty
Clare Allan, Novelist & shortlisted for the OBANW 2007
Suzi Feay, Literary Editor of Independent on Sunday

“There is no greater privilege than to be in the room at the birth of new literary talent.” commented Shami Chakrabati. “I am hugely excited to be part of the Orange Broadband Award for New Writers this year.”

Renewing their commitment to the partnership with Orange, Arts Council England is committed to providing a further £30,000 over the next 3 years ((£10,000 per year) for bursary awards for the winners of the Orange Broadband Award for New Writers. By offering a bursary to a novelist or short story writer for her first publication, the Arts Council is able to support the professional development of a writer at a crucial stage in her career

Commenting on the Orange Broadband Award for New Writers, Hattie Magee, Head of Entertainment & Brand Marketing at Orange, said: “Supporting fresh talent and creativity remains a key focus for Orange. The ensuing success of our past winners demonstrates the importance of investing in the future of female fiction, which would not be possible were it not for our partnership with Arts Council England.”

Sarah Weir, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London, comments: "After a fruitful collaboration with Orange over the last three years, I am really pleased that we are able to renew our commitment to the best new writing . Our investment in the Orange Broadband New Writers Award is just one example of that commitment, and not only champions new voices but catalyses new careers."

All first works of fiction, including novels, short story collections and novellas, written by women of any age or nationality and published as a book in the UK between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008 are eligible to enter. The emphasis of the award is on emerging talent and the evidence of future potential. Books can be entered for both the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction and the Orange Broadband Award for New Writers in any given year. Judges will be looking for writers who demonstrate excellence, originality and accessibility.

For further information, please contact:

Naomi Li at M&C Saatchi:
Tel: 0207 544 3687
Email: naomi.li@mcsaatchi.com

For information on Orange, please contact:

Mat Sears, Consumer PR Manager
Tel: 020 7984 2000
Email: mat.sears@orange.co.uk
ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About Arts Council
Arts Council England works to get more art to more people in more places. They develop and promote the arts across England, acting as an independent body at arm’s length from government. Between 2006 and 2008, they will have invested £1.1 billion of public money from government and the National Lottery in supporting the arts. This is the bedrock of support for the arts in England. They believe that the arts have the power to change lives and communities, and to create opportunities for people throughout the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

About Orange
Orange is a key brand of the France Telecom Group, providing mobile, broadband, fixed, business and entertainment services across Europe. It is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with more than 163 million customers on five continents.

In June, 2006, Orange became the single brand for mobile, broadband and multi-play offers. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries with network reach in 220.

In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population. At the end of June 30 2007, Orange had over 16.7 million customers in the UK - 15.2 million active mobile customers and over 1.6 million Internet customers.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.

Further information about Orange and France Telecom can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.co.uk or the France Telecom website at www.francetelecom.com

For further information, call the Orange press office on 0870 373 1500 or email: Orangepr@golinharris.com.