Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Northland Branch of NZSA will be held on Saturday 21 July at Maungatapere.
Latest News
Flashy Northland Writers
June has been a time of celebrations for National Flash Fiction Day (NFFD), with Northland writers maintaining our reputation as a flash fiction hotspot. National Flash Fiction day was celebrated at Kings Theatre Creative with an inspiring and inventive workshop by Jac Jenkins, followed by readings and the presentation of the Northland Regional Prize Trophy to short-listed Vivian Thonger. Mike Botur also made us proud by having an impressive three stories long listed for NFFD. Thanks to Kathy Derrick and her team for organising a fun day.
The Whangarei District Library Flash Fiction Competition was won by Northland Branch Member Tania Aslund, and Mike Botur was also highly commended.
Northland Poet Publishes Four
Our Poet extraordinaire, Piet Nieuwland, continues his success with the publication of another four poems:
- ‘Occupying Lifestyle Wars’ published Blue Fifth Review Spring Issue (Spring 2018/18.1) (USA)
- ‘Downpours’ published in Geometry 3 (NZ)
- ‘Genius loci’ published in RevuePost 2 (Montreal, Canada)
- ‘Nga Ikawai’ published in The Quagga 1 (Massey, Palmerston North NZ)
Northland Noteworthies:
- Liz Van der Laarse has had Cuz, her novel about two 14 year old cousins surviving in the West Coast wilderness published by One Tree House.
New Crime Writer’s Conference
Rotorua Noir is New Zealand’s first crime writing festival, bringing together the cream of the New Zealand crime-writing scene and some serious talent from overseas. Meet your favourite authors, attend panel discussions, enter the short story competition and take workshops at this 3-day festival. Anyone wishing to sell books at the event or ask to join any onstage panels should contact organisers.
Synopsis Assessments Still Available
The NZSA StartWrite Synopsis Assessment service is invaluable for both new and experienced writers seeking feedback and appraisal. There are still several subsidised Startwrite assessments available this year, costing only $40-45 for NZSA members.
What’s On?
Poetry Events
- Thursday 19 July, 5pm: Poets at ONEONESIX, 116 Bank Street, Whangarei.
- Thursday 16 August, 5pm: Poets at ONEONESIX, 116 Bank Street, Whangarei.
NZSA National Writers Forum Update
The NZSA National Writers Forum 2018 programme of events has been released. Check out the sessions on offer that will support your career as a writer.
A full list of Northland writing events, opportunities and writers’ groups can be found on the PenNorth website.
Competitions & Opportunities
NorthWrite 2018 Mini: Springing out of Winter
The deadline is looming to get your entry in for NZSA’s Northland branch national short story competition, with the competition closing on 31 July 2018. Previously unpublished stories on any theme and up to 1500 words can be submitted as an rtf or docx file by email to northlandauthors[at]gmail.com. The cost per story is $15 and you can enter as many times as you like. Stories will be judged anonymously so please do not put your name on your story. Judges are Diana Menefy and Justine Payen and the prizes are as follows:
First prize – $300 plus publication on the NorthWrite website
Second prize – Editing of a short story of up to 3000 words
Third prize – $50 book token
Please read entry criteria carefully, as submissions that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.
New Zealand Heritage Book & Writing Awards
The NZSA Canterbury Branch is running a competition with four categories:
- Non-fiction book. (prize $1000)
- Novel or collection of short stories (prize $1000)
- Short prose – short story, memoir or article. Maximum 1800 words (prize $200).
- Poem – maximum 50 lines (prize $200).
All entries must focus on some aspect of New Zealand’s heritage and should have at least a nominal connection with this year’s theme for Christchurch’s Heritage Week – ‘Strength through Struggle’. Cost of entry: Books $35, prose and poetry $15. You may enter more than once. This competition is open till 20 August. For more information, click here.
The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2018
Submit your Poetry & Short Fiction, showcase your work to a new international audience and further your involvement in the literary world. Prizes include: £1,000 for the Short Fiction and Poetry winners, publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual for 60 finalists, Consultation with Redhammer Management, membership to the Poetry Society, one year’s subscription to Granta and a selection of books courtesy of Bloodaxe and Vintage. Entries are open until 31 August 2018. Submit at: www.aestheticamagazine.com/cwa
For information on other competitions and awards check out the Calendar of Opportunities on your NZSA website members-only page.
Please email Wendy or northlandauthors[at]gmail.com if you have any announcements, items of interest or achievements you would like included in this monthly newsletter.
