Author Bernadette Logue has been announced as a finalist in a nationwide writing competition.

Her first book, Pinch Me - How Following The Signals Changed My Life, is one of seven finalists in the published category of the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Literature Awards.

The awards, in conjunction with the New Zealand Society of Authors, offer one of the largest monetary prizes for literature in the country with three awards of $10,000.

They recognise budding and published writers whose work embodies the mind, body, spirit genre with three separate accolades - the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Book Award, the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript Award and the Ashton Wylie Children's Book Award.

Waiheke Island resident Ms Logue says it's an honour to be a finalist for her first book which was inspired by the signals she discovered in her life.

"I was so astounded by discovering signals in my life, and more astounded by what happened when I followed them, that I became passionate about sharing the message with others so they too could awaken to the signals in their life.

"Over 18 months I recorded every signal that I recognised in 1B5 notebooks, and that pile of notebooks ended up forming my book, Pinch Me."

New Zealand Society of Authors chief executive Maggie Tarver says as with previous years the 2012 awards attracted an impressive response.

“The 2012 Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Literature Awards received a remarkable number of written works, with 115 entries overall.

“Entries were of a very high standard and each of the shortlisted finalists has produced work of an excellent quality which demonstrates they have a natural aptitude for writing and possess a true understanding of the mind, body, spirit category.”

The awards will be announced in a ceremony at the trust's own venue, Hopetoun Alpha in Auckland on August 24.

The trust will also be hosting an informative Writing for Children workshop in conjunction with the awards on August 25.

Guest speakers include children's authors Joy Cowley and Maria Gill, illustrator and writer Sandra Morris, and publisher and consultant Martin Taylor.

For information or reservations for the Writing for Children workshop, visit awct.org.nz or email info@awct.org.nz.

Bernadette Logue's book Pinch Me is available at Whitcoulls or at pinchmeliving.com.

- Waiheke Marketplace

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