Authors in running for Irish literary prize

New Zealand authors Elizabeth Knox and Damien Wilkins have been nominated for an Irish literary prize worth $196,000.

Their books, Billie's Kiss and Chemistry, are contesting the 2004 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

The winner will be announced in May from a March shortlist. Winners of the prize, first awarded in 1996, include Australian writer David Malouf, Frenchman Michel Houellebecq and last year's winner, Orhan Pamuk of Turkey.