The year is firing up as the anticipation grows for the upcoming NorthWrite event at the end of August. Another date to put aside, while sharpening your pencil, is the 23rd of June for the Flash Fiction Day celebrations. In the meantime, our website updates provide a great opportunity for our writers to increase their online presence. So wrap up warm, it’s going to be a wordy winter…
Next Meeting
The next meeting is on the 18th of May in Whangarei, with guest speaker Paula Browning from Copyright Licensing Ltd.
June’s meeting will be held in conjunction with Northland’s annual Flash Fiction Day celebrations at Kings Theatre Creative, Kawakawa, on Sunday 23 June.
Latest News
Cuz on Notable Books List
CUZ by Cable Bay author, Liz van der Laarse, has been selected for the prestigious Storylines Notable Book List (Junior Fiction). The list is made up of outstanding books for children and young people published in New Zealand, by New Zealand authors and illustrators, during the previous calendar year.
Liz received her certificate at the Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day in March, enjoying a stimulating afternoon of sharing and celebrating New Zealand children’s literature.
Beyond the Rimu Grove by Patricia Fenton
In the summer of 1966, a young teacher is dispatched to Ngarimu Valley School as a Probationary Assistant. As her coming-of-age narrative evolves, the reader is immersed in a remote community where nothing is quite the way it seems and lives are poignantly and inextricably interwoven.
Available from bookshops and creative outlets throughout Northland, from the publisher (info[at]lit-links.nz), or by request from your local library (ISBN 978-0-473-46896-5). See more from Patricia at her website: lit-links.nz
NorthWrite 2019 Update
Save the date for this major event for Northland writers.
NorthWrite 2019: Expanding Horizons – 30 August–1 September 2019, Barge Showgrounds Event Centre, Whangarei.
An exciting programme of master classes, workshops and conversations for fiction and non-fiction writers, poets and editors.
Confirmed presenters include Catherine Chidgey, Kate de Goldi, Simon Minto and Leeann Morgan.
Entertaining speakers, a meet-and-greet event and a formal dinner will also feature.
Website Updates
A general update of the Northland Authors website is underway. For this, the following things are requested from NZSA members:
- One address link to your main writer’s webpage, blog, Facebook or wherever. All old website links on the website have been deleted, so even if you were listed before, you won’t be now.
- Profiles for members (especially committee members) with photo.
- Updates of details for writers groups, book-sellers and other resources for Northland writers.
- A blurb and cover image of your latest book for promotion on our Members’ Books page. Your book doesn’t have to be recently published, but just one book (or series) per author. Recent releases can be promoted through PenNorth and will get higher billing on the website.
To see what is required, please visit the Northland Authors Website and refer to our contributors’ guidelines.
Northland Noteworthies:
- Kathy Derrick has had two flash fiction stories long-listed in the Flash 500 competition first quarter 2019.
- Piet Nieuwland has had several poems published recently:
The Way and Extinction in Otoliths (Australia);
A Parade on Oriental in ENVY 7 Deadly Sins Vol.6, Pure Slush (Adelaide Australia);
Watching the Sky Speak, Open to the World and On the Wing of Light in The Wild Word #36 It’s a Kind of Magic (Germany);
This is the River and The Confiscation Line in Nga Kupu Waikato, An Anthology of Waikato Poetry (Hamilton NZ);
And Yolo Doves, Glissades in Glissando (3 parts), Sattva Guna (Mode of Goodness), Samara (Cycle of Repeated Birth and Death), Raja Guna (Mode of Passion), Ruxandra and At Puwera in Erothanatos (Kolkotta, India);
Landing in Flash Frontier.
What’s On?
Poetry Events
- Poets at ONEONESIX at 116 Bank Street, Whangarei: Thurs 23 May at 5pm (gold coin entry).
- Poets at ONEONESIX at 116 Bank Street, Whangarei: Thurs 20 June at 5pm (gold coin entry).
- Deadline for submissions to Fast Fibres Poetry Six: 14 June (see below).
Northland National Flash Fiction Day Celebrations
23 June 1-4pm at Kings Theatre Creative, Kawakawa.
Spend the afternoon celebrating flash fiction with a workshop run by Michael Botur, afternoon tea and flash fiction readings. More details soon.
Auckland Writers Festival
The 19th Auckland Writers Festival programme has been launched, revealing a line-up of more than 200 events featuring over 230 globally acclaimed public intellectuals and much-loved literary stars, offering conversation, laughter, ideas and inspiration for audiences of all ages. It will be held from 13 to 19 May. Find out more on the Writers Festival website.
Whangarei Writers’ Workshop
A friendly group of writers who meet every second Friday at the Kamo Club 10.00am-12.30pm to critique work and support other writers.
Check out their Facebook page or contact Heather Whelan.
A full list of Northland writing events, opportunities and writers’ groups can be found on the Northland Authors website.
Competitions and Opportunities
Fast Fibres Poetry Six – Call for Submissions
Fast Fibres Poetry Collective is producing a sixth collection to display the talents of Northland poets.
It will be launched in print and online on National Poetry Day, 23 August 2019.
Poets with a strong connection to Northland are invited to submit 3 poems, each preferably no longer than 20 lines. Please also include a two-line biographical statement.
Deadline: June 14
Email: fastfibres[at]live.com
www.fastfibres.wordpress.com
Sargeson Prize Short Story Competition
The University of Waikato is proud to sponsor this country’s richest short story prize, named for celebrated New Zealand writer Frank Sargeson.
Two divisions: Open and Secondary Schools.
Judge for 2019: Catherine Chidgey
Entries will be open from 1 April – 30 June 2019, with the winners announced at the Frank Sargeson Memorial Lecture in October. All New Zealand writers, published and unpublished, are eligible to enter.
Visit the University of Waikato website or the Sargeson Prize Facebook page for more information.
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
Celebrating excellence in Poetry & Short Fiction, the Award is hosted by the international art and culture publication Aesthetica Magazine. Supporting new writing talent, it presents a fantastic chance for writers to further their involvement in the literary world.
There are two entry categories: Poetry and Short Fiction. Works previously published are accepted and there are no limitations on themes. Submissions close 31 August.
Prizes include:
- £1,000 for each winner (Poetry and Short Fiction)
- Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Anthology
- Consultation with Redhammer (Short Fiction Winner)
- Full Membership to The Poetry Society (Poetry Winner)
- Granta subscription and books courtesy of Vintage and Bloodaxe
For information on other competitions and awards check out the Calendar of Opportunities on your NZSA website’s members-only page.
Classifieds
Wanted to Buy: The Apple by Benjamin Brown illustrated by Tracy Duncan.
This is now out of print. I had a copy, and I own the original artwork of one of the illustrations, but my book copy disappeared and I really want to own one to go with my picture. Lesley Marshall editline[at]xtra.co.nz.
Please send us any little bits and pieces that you think might be useful for our Northland members. This includes any writing services you offer, links to useful (or fun) websites that you want to share, writing jobs you hear about, or even a request for a copy of an out-of-print book. Priority will be given to fresh content. Please refer to the contributors’ guidelines for requirements.
Please email Wendy at northlandauthors[at]gmail.com if you have any announcements, items of interest or achievements you would like included in this monthly newsletter.
Refer to our contributor guidelines.
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This is to avoid spamming issues that have occurred in the past.
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