Susanna Elliffe Wins 2025 NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize

The New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) has announced that Susanna Elliffe is the recipient of the prestigious 2025 NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize. Elliffe’s manuscript, a collection of short stories titled “Relic Party,” explores themes of loss, intertwining intimate and global perspectives through a lens of human and nonhuman experiences.

Established in honor of Laura Solomon, a cherished novelist and poet, the prize aims to support new writing in New Zealand. The award includes a cash prize of $2,000 and a publishing contract with The Cuba Press, ensuring that Elliffe’s work will reach readers by 2026.

Celebrating Literary Excellence

The winning manuscript was chosen by a panel of judges that included representatives from The Cuba Press and the Solomon family, along with award-winning author Belinda, who served as the panel’s convenor. She remarked on the exceptional quality of this year’s submissions, stating, “Choosing the finalists was not an easy task, and then selecting just one winner? A huge challenge.” The judging panel had the difficult task of evaluating diverse works that ranged from lyrical short stories to humorous contemporary novels.

Elliffe’s collection was noted for its originality and unique perspective. Belinda expressed confidence that readers would be captivated by Elliffe’s prose, highlighting the distinctiveness that set “Relic Party” apart from the other finalists.

Reflecting on the Impact of the Prize

As the prize enters its fifth year, interest continues to grow, highlighting the legacy of Laura Solomon. “We are extremely grateful to the NZSA and The Cuba Press for taking Laura’s idea and turning it into a true legacy,” Belinda added. “The judges are continually challenged, in a good way, by such high-quality writing in a diverse range of genres.”

The director of The Cuba Press expressed excitement about publishing another award-winning manuscript. “It’s like Christmas when the shortlisted authors for the prize come through for us to read,” she noted. The anticipation surrounding the submissions underscores the vibrant literary scene in New Zealand.

Elliffe, who is currently pursuing a Master’s in Creative Writing at Massey University, shared her thoughts on winning the award. “Winning the Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize is momentous for me,” she said. “Creative writing has long been the lifeblood that runs beneath everything I do, my life’s passion.”

Her work often challenges conventional narrative forms, and she expressed gratitude for the recognition, particularly in connection to Laura Solomon, whose stories inspired her own creative journey.

Living in Oamaru with her sisters and cats, Elliffe is also involved in local theatre through Musical Theatre Oamaru. Her innovative approach to storytelling, focusing on defamiliarisation and linguistic deviation, has also gained recognition in various competitions.

The NZSA also congratulated the runner-up, who received a cash prize of $1,000, along with the shortlisted writers. In addition, the Solomon family awarded a discretionary prize of $1,000 to both the winner and the runner-up, further emphasizing their commitment to supporting emerging talent.

As the literary community celebrates this year’s achievements, the NZSA looks forward to continuing the tradition of honoring exceptional writers and their contributions to the world of literature.