Australian author Cory Taylor has won the Pacific region for this year’s Commonwealth Book Prize, and New Zealand writer Emma Martin has won the Pacific region for this year’s Commonwealth Short Story Prize.

Taylor’s book Me and Mr Booker (Text) was selected from a group of four local authors shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize and she will receive £2500 (A$3990). Taylor will now compete with regional winners from Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean for the overall prize of £10,000 (A$15,960).

Martin’s story ‘Two Girls in a Boat’ was one of four stories from local writers shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, and Martin will receive £1000 (A$1596). The overall winner of the prize will receive £5000 (A$7980).

The winners of both prizes will be announced in June. To see a list of the local titles shortlisted for the awards this year, click here. To see a list of the winners in each of the other regions, click here.