There’s plenty happening as we head into summer, including a great meeting, a workshop and an evening with Peta Mathias. With all these awesome events, there may be very little time to write… yeah, right!
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on Saturday 16 November at Maungatapere. Join us at Lesley’s home (directions will be emailed) for the meeting, Courage Day postcards and a book launch. Lunch will be provided. Come at 10.30 for coffee, meeting starts at 11 o’clock.
Latest News
Scoria – Short Prose from the Cinder Cone – Book Launch
Kathy Derrick and Jac Jenkins will be launching their book Scoria: Short Prose from the Cinder Cone over lunch after the November meeting. Lunch will be provided.
This is an exciting launch since it not only introduces the book but also the newly formed publishing company Pavlova Press. After lunch those interested can adjourn to Three Mountains Brew Shop and Gallery in the Maungatapere township for a workshop run by Pavlova Press. The workshop is open to all. More details in What’s On (below).
Te Puna Women’s Refuge – Critiquing Raffle
Once again it’s time for Lesley Marshall’s (Member NZAMA, NZSA, IPEd) annual refuge raffle. As she does every year, Lesley is offering a Christmas raffle for a critique (or the equivalent time in editing) in memory of her son, with funds to go to Te Puna Women’s Refuge.
To enter, simply send a cheque (made out to Te Puna) to Lesley at Editline, 20 Beverley Cres, RD 9 Whangarei 0179), and she’ll put you in the draw. Alternatively, you can direct debit money into Te Puna’s account (Account: 123101 0056429 00; name: Te Puna o Te Aroha Women’s Refuge) and let her know what you’ve paid them so she knows how many chances to give you. If an overseas writer wants to enter they can donate to their local refuge equivalent.
The draw will be made on 20 December. The critique is for a novel or any similar piece of work, and the winner can send it any time in the next year, either on paper or by email.
The costs for entries are:
One chance = $20; 3 chances $30; 6 chances $40; 10 chances $50; 15 chances $60.
The refuge gets very short of food during the festive season, although one year they used the money to create a children’s playground for the families there, and another year they bought clothes for the children. Whatever they use it for, rest assured you’re creating a lot of Christmas joy with your entries. These are people who have suffered hugely, and have often walked out of what should have been their safe, happy homes with only the clothes they stand up in. They really do need all our support. And Christmas is unfortunately the refuges’ busiest time.
Please let any of your writing contacts know about the raffle – the more entries the better! $985 for Te Puna was made last year, and Lesley would love a similar amount this year. She thanks you all in advance for your support.
Northland Noteworthies:
- Zana Bell has edited the latest issue of Flash Frontier . Also read about her conversation with Gill Stewart, her co-editor.
- Piet has had his poem The Melting Sky appear in the inaugural Antarctic Poetry Exhibition, which was launched at Dunedin Public Library this week. The exhibition is being displayed on large screens within the library.
- Kathy Derrick and Jac Jenkins have launched a new publishing company, Pavlova Press. Visit them on Facebook or on their webpage.
What’s On?
Poetry Events
- Poets at ONEONESIX, Thursday 21 November, 5pm to 7.30pm. 116 Bank Street, Whangarei.
Writing Workshop
Shifting Gears: Transforming your Stories from Good to Great.
Saturday 16 November 1.30pm-3.30pm
Three Mountains Brew Shop and Gallery
1137a State Highway 14 Maungatapere, Whangarei
$25pp (includes a copy of Scoria: Short Prose from the Cinder Cone)
Join Pavlova Press for an afternoon of story shaping to celebrate the production of their first volume, Scoria: Short Prose from the Cinder Cone. They will demonstrate various techniques they found useful during their final round of story revision. Writers of all levels (beginner or more experienced) who have stories in any form from raw draft to ready to submit will find value in the workshop. They will have examples for you to work on, but also feel free to bring some of your own work to experiment with. Registration is recommended since numbers are limited. For more details see the Pavlova Press website.
An Evening with Peta Mathias
From her latest book Eat Your Heart Out, Peta will share some dark and delicious stories of love from around the world, intertwined with tempting talk of aphrodisiacs and romantic recipes. Prepare to be taken on an informative, captivating and enchanting journey celebrating the connection between love and food.
Turner Centre, Kerikeri
Saturday 7th December
5.30pm (Theatre Bar is open from 4.30pm)
For more information and bookings, go to iTicket website.
A full list of Northland writing events, opportunities and writers’ groups can be found on the Northland Authors website.
Competitions and Opportunities
Call for Submissions #1 – Kerikeri: Past, Present, Future
Pavlova Press is calling for submissions of poetry and short prose (fiction or non-fiction, historical or contemporary) based around Kerikeri and its inhabitants – past, present and future. Submissions are open to anyone who has a connection to Kerikeri. All work submitted must connect to Kerikeri and/or the local surroundings in some way. Place names don’t need to be included but the feel must be that of the Kerikeri area. You do not need to consider yourself a poet or writer to enter.
The closing date for submissions is 5pm on 31 December 2019. For more details, go to the Pavlova Press website.
Call for Submissions #2 – Pavlova Stories
Pavlova Press will shortly be calling for submissions of poetry, short prose (fiction or non-fiction) and images for an anthology focussing on our nation’s relationship with pavlova. We will be giving you all summer to work your magic and submissions will close on 31 March 2020. We will provide more details as they come to hand – in the meantime start thinking up various pavlova scenarios.
Island Time Writing Retreat
Waiheke Island, 20-24 January and 7-10 July 2020.
Reconnect with the pleasures of writing at this five-day luxury retreat hosted by international writing expert, Dr Helen Sword, on beautiful Waiheke Island.
Whether you are a scholarly or professional writer trying to finish an article or book, a novelist, poet or nonfiction writer working on a manuscript, or simply a traveller looking for fresh inspiration, this immersive retreat will replenish your creative energies and provide you with strategies for getting your writing done.
Find out more on Helen’s Website.
For information on other competitions and awards check out the Calendar of Opportunities on your NZSA website’s members-only page.
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