(We have had some technical problems. Apologies if you received the previous newsletter twice!)
EVENTS:
Branch meeting
Thursday 13 July 2023, at 7.30, via Zoom.
Secretary, Trish Fenton will send the Zoom link with the agenda.
POETS@ONEONESIX
Thursday 13 July 2023, 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm, 116 Bank Street, Whangārei
NATIONAL FLASH FICTION DAY – NORTHLAND CELEBRATION
On the shortest day of the year an enthusiastic crowd of 40+ writers and supporters gathered at Dickens Inn in downtown Whangarei in honour of this special event, superbly organised by Deb Jowitt and Sue Barker.
CONGRATULATIONS to June Pitman-Hayes for her evocative story, The kina girl. As the highest placed Northland writer, June was awarded the NZSA Northland Regional Flash Fiction trophy and cash prize, presented by NZSA Northland Chair, Jenni Edwards. June’s 100 word micro story Paper Dolls was also short-listed for the micro madness international competition. Her read-aloud brought both stories to life for an appreciative audience.
NEW YOUTH AWARD
The inaugural Northland Youth Award was presented to seventeen-year-old Emma Philips from Ararua. Amongst an impressive line-up of young writers from around the globe, Emma entered the International Flash Fiction Youth Competition run by fingers comma-toes and received a Commendation for her story entitled: Aim: To Find Out If It Is Possible To Reach A Velocity At Which The Gravitational Influence of a Small Town Can be Escaped From. Hearing Emma read her highly original and entertaining story was an absolute delight.
Auction
Our fundraising auction will take place in November, live and online, prior to our final meeting of the year. Already we have a tempting array of donations. We encourage you to check out your own resources and decide what you might like to donate. Please email your offers to: northlandauthors@gmail.com
Here are some of the great offers we already have. (More details to follow.)
Lesley Marshall – An edit of up to 5000 words, a rose in a large pot, a grammar game.
Leena Taylor – Three original artworks by Hamilton based artist, Jon Taylor; acrylic on canvas.
Sherryl Clark – Collection of 6 children’s books for ages 7-11. A manuscript assessment of two children’s picture books of up to 750 words each.
Karen Phillips – Five hours of short story mentoring, online or face-to-face, depending on location of winning bidder.
Di Menefy – Selection of children’s books including rare and specialised
Kathy Derrick – Book cover posters, folio editions of The Greek Myths, Myths of the Near East and British Myths and Legends. Hardcover of Seven Gothic Tales.
OPPORTUNITY:
National Short Story Competition
Run by Northland Branch NZSA (PEN Inc)
Sponsored by The Northern Advocate & Pavlova Press
PRIZES:
First Place $500
Second place $100
Third Place $50
All three stories will be published in The Northern Advocate and on their website over the summer holiday period, as well as on the Northland Branch website.
Judges
Diana Menefy and Eddie Williams
RULES:
– Open to NZ residents 17 years and over.
– Stories must be original and not previously published in print or online.
– Entry fee $15 for one story, $25 for two, $30 for three. (GST incl.)
– Word limit 1500 words.
– Theme: “Journeys”.
– Emailed entries only.
– Opens 1 July, closes 30 September 2023
For conditions and entry form email tfenton11[at]gmail.com
Sharing NZSA Northland Branch news and events:
– Share with us on our Facebook Page for NZSA Northland
– Submit your news, including events, awards, recent publications and book launches, to: northlandauthors[at]gmail.com for inclusion in our monthly newsletter.
Free for financial members. 50 cents per word for non-members.
Check for further updates on: https://northlandauthors.wordpress.com/
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”
— Franz Kafka
Northland Branch 