EVENTS:
NZSA Northland Branch meeting
Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 7.30 pm, via Zoom.
Secretary, Trish Fenton, will send the Zoom link with the agenda.
POETS@ONEONESIX
Wednesday 16 July, 5.30pm
Featuring Stephen Oliver, guest poet.
We are also in Motif Poetry | Ruri Tūtohu © 2024
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NORTHLAND CELEBRATES!
NATIONAL FLASH FICTION DAY 22 JUNE 2025
It’s very fitting that on the shortest day of the year, New Zealand celebrates National Flash Fiction Day!
Here in Northland, we’d been excited all week because three of our writers were long/shortlisted in the Flash Fiction award, and one was in the running for the Micro Madness award. The FF shortlist included Sara Crane and Sue Barker, Deb Jowitt was longlisted, and the winners were only announced at 5pm on the day.
Micro Madness had been running all month, and each day we checked to see if Sue Barker’s micro was published. It ended up that her story was third! A huge accomplishment as this was open internationally. You can read all the stories here – https://nationalflash.org/2025-micro-madness/
On Sunday afternoon we gathered at Dickens Inn and listened to music and a dozen Northland writers read their stories and poems. It was so enjoyable, and so many different styles and voices. Our special guest was Samantha Nicholson, our NZSA Young Writer of the Year, and she was presented with her trophy and prize by Vince Cocurullo, Whangārei’s mayor who is a great supporter of the arts.
Finally, the NFFD winners were announced, and Sue Barker and Sara Crane were both Highly Commended. Sue was awarded Northland Flash Fiction Winner. Well deserved to be highly placed in both competitions!
FAR NORTH WRITERS
Update from Leena Taylor
About twenty members of the Doubtless Bay and Kaitaia Writers and Poets gathered in The Barn to discuss the progress of our upcoming anthology and share any individual news.
After a coffee break we moved into small groups to critique submissions for the anthology or discuss artwork for it.
A collaborative approach to the anthology has marked its development with several members taking on key tasks such as formatting, collating completed submission and applying for funding. A sub-group is working on cover design and interior illustrations.
ATTENDING CRIMEFEST IN BRISTOL, UK – Sherryl Clark
When I knew I was going to Europe, which initially was to attend a writing retreat, I checked what crime writing festivals were on at kind of the same time, and found CrimeFest in Bristol.
So the first thing I’d recommend is for you to do the same. Even if you aren’t planning to apply to be on a panel session, or aren’t published in that country, it’s great just to attend and meet other writers and readers. At some of the festivals and events, you could also meet publishers and agents.
For me, it helped a lot that my first crime novels were published in the UK, and I’ve been in contact with other people in the Crime writers’ Association. However, CrimeFest has a rule that if you are coming from overseas, they will put you on two panel sessions. Not all of them do this.
I ended up on three panels, and for one of them, I was the moderator. This turned out to be the opening session of the festival, and one of the panel members was Lee Child. So that made me a bit nervous, to say the least. Our topic was Private Investigators in crime fiction.
In the past I’ve compered a radio show called Writers at Work in Melbourne on 3CR – I did that for eight years, so I’ve interviewed probably 6-700 writers, and I also did Writers in Conversation events at the uni where I worked, so I know what to research, and what kinds of questions have been asked a million times. It’s a good challenge to come up with questions that are not the same old thing, but also not so silly or outrageous that nobody wants to answer them.
And I didn’t want to be the person who asked Lee Child a stupid question! The sessions were only 50 minutes so not much time, and most panels had four people plus moderator on them, so even less time! Anyway, Lee was very gracious and professional, as you would expect, and was happy to have photos taken with whoever wanted them, including me!
There was a massive bookshop in the ballroom, and one of the things I learned was how many writers in the UK write huge series, sometimes 15-20 books. I asked a few and they said their publishers expected it, if the first couple went well, you had to keep going. I can tell you that’s not the case in Australia and NZ – your first one has to have done well before they will say yes to a sequel, and it seems for most writers that three is enough. There are always exceptions of course, but mostly that’s how it goes. I’ve been told that standalones often do better.
I was also on a panel talking about novels where someone in the family is a criminal or has a dark secret – so both of my novels fit into that. And I was lucky to be on a third panel which was about crime and mystery novels for teenagers. I met lots of writers and really enjoyed it all – 50 sessions over three full days, a program the size of a book, and came home with lots of free books as my table won the quiz night. It’s amazing how many books you can fit into a full suitcase if you are really determined!
OPPORTUNITIES:
NEWS FROM OUR BRANCH CHAIR
NZSA ADULT SHORT STORY COMPETITION HAS A NEW SPONSOR – AND A FANTASTIC FIRST PRIZE!
We are so pleased to announce that, thanks to our committee and their work on this year’s short story awards, we have a new sponsor for our adult award.
Vince’s Fix-It Man Computer Services is our major sponsor, and this has allowed us to increase our first prize to $1000. As you can imagine, this will mean our competition will get much wider publicity and coverage and attract more entries (part of the prize money is covered by entry fees). Second and third prizes in the adult section are being sponsored by Prose Publishing. And the Northern Advocate sponsors us by publishing the winning stories in each category.
Entries will open for the competition on 4 July and close 30 September. Word limit is 1500 – members will receive a special email in July with all the details. So please do enter. We’d love a Northland writer to win!
(And in case Vince’s Fix-It computer services sounds familiar, yes, this is Vince Cocurullo supporting writers in Whangarei and Northland yet again. Thank you, Vince – and thanks also for permission to reprint some of your very helpful computer articles in future newsletters.)
NORTHLAND WRITERS, READERS, AND POETS FESTIVAL
Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August 2025
Celebrating the vibrant literary talent of New Zealand’s North, our festival is dedicated to bringing the voices of our local writers, poets, librarians, and publishers to the forefront. Whether you’re an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply someone who loves the power of storytelling, this festival offers something for everyone.
Festival Highlights:
- Panels & Discussions: Engage with inspiring panelists, including renowned writers, poets, passionate librarians, and influential publishers. Discover new insights into the creative process, the world of publishing, and the art of writing.
- Workshops for Writers: Join hands-on workshops designed to help writers hone their craft, explore new genres, and unlock their full potential. From beginner to advanced, these workshops are tailored to inspire and empower all levels of writers.
- Short Story Award Presentation: We are proud to celebrate young talent with the presentation of the Short Story Award for Year 13 students across Northland. Witness the creativity of the next generation and support their literary ambitions.
Our mission is simple – to highlight the incredible writers and poets who call Northland home and to foster a deeper connection between our local literary community and readers far and wide. Whether you’re looking to discover new authors, enhance your writing skills, or immerse yourself in a diverse range of literary voices, the Northland Writers, Readers and Poets Festival is the place to be.
We invite you to join us for an inspiring weekend of creativity, learning, and celebration. Together, let’s bring the talent of the North to the world!
Programme online at https://www.northlandwritersreadersandpoetsfestival.com/event-details-registration/programme-northland-writers-readers-and-poets-wrap-festival
Friday 29th & Saturday 30th: Cornerstone Church and Hall – Whare Karakia O Manako, 144 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri, Northland, New Zealand
Sunday 31st: Kingston House, 123 Hone Heke Road Kerikeri, Northland, New Zealand
SHARING NZSA NORTHLAND BRANCH NEWS AND EVENTS:
Share with us on our Facebook Pages for NZSA Northland
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1618171775233622 (Private members’ group)
https://www.facebook.com/NZSANorthlandBranch (Public)
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.co.nz/
Northland Branch 