New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa

NZSA Mentor Programme 2020 - open for applications

For Writers! Apply now to be mentored by an established writer, poet, playwright or graphic novelist. The NZSA Mentor Programme accepts applications for the 2020 programme from 1 Dec 2019 to 1 Feb 2020.The NZ Society of Authors Mentor programme 2020 seeks applications from writers looking for professional development, a safe space to discuss...
Christmas Auction and Graeme Lay Short Story Competition Announcement!

Friday 6 December at 6.15 pm Christmas Auction and Graeme Lay Short Story Competition Announcement On 6 December the Auckland Branch will be holding our end of year event with our famous fundraising auction! There will be some amazing marquee items to bid on and lots of fun ones too. An...
Combined Book Launch: Ngā Kupu Waikato and Scoria

Join us at the combined book launch of Ngā Kupu Waikato and Scoria. Ngā Kupu Waikato, an anthology of Waikato poetry edited by Vaughan Rapatahana from Waikato Press Scoria; Short Prose from the Cinder Cone by Jac Jenkins and Kathy Derrick and Pavlova Press. Where: At the Book Inn, 420 Kamo Road, Whangarei When:...
Authors Talk: To My Father

Thursday, November 21, 2019 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Glen Eden Library 12 Glendale Road, Auckland Kirsten Warner and Elizabeth Kirkby- McLeod have written provocative books about fathers and trauma that push the boundaries. The Sound of Breaking Glass, winner of best first book at the Ockham Awards, is a novel about the daughter...
[NZSA Wgtn] Courage Day Event @ Vic Books, 6pm, Mon 11 November

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer (known locally as Courage Day) is observed on 15 November each year. It recognises writers who defend the right to free speech, and those who suffer oppression and are killed and/or imprisoned for their work. Locally, Courage Day is named after James Courage, a...
NZSA / Auckland Museum Research Grant + Residency Now Open for Applications

NZSA / Auckland Museum Research Grant + Residency Now Open for Applications Applications are now open for a $5000 research grant and residency for writers wishing to work on a project that will utilise the resources of the Auckland Museum Library as part of the manuscript’s development. The grant also...
Writing sample and synopsis assessments - subsidised for NZSA members -assessments still available

StartWrite Writing Sample and Synopsis Assessment Service - for writers who want to get an appraisal for part of their work. Writers can send in a piece of writing, up to 6,000 words (for poetry up to 24 pages), and a one page synopsis. Comic / Graphic novelists need...
The 78th World Science Fiction Convention — CoNZealand — Wellington

The 78th World Science Fiction Convention—CoNZealand—is coming to Wellington from 29 July to 2 August 2020. Over 2,000 fans, publishers, and speculative fiction writers will descend on New Zealand. Members will be able to vote on, and attend, the Hugo Awards for best science fiction and fantasy works of 2019. New...
CLNZ/NZSA Writers’ Award 2019 has been won by Christchurch writer Rebecca Macfie

Rebecca Macfie has won the $25,000 Writers’ Award for her biography of Helen Kelly – the first woman to lead the New Zealand labour movement. “Helen Kelly modernised the union movement and took a special interest in improving worker health and safety. The biography is in the capable hands of...

New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa Home

Welcome to the New Zealand Society of Authors

Our Mission
Why you should join us

NZSA is the principal representative for the professional interests of writers. Protecting basic rights to freedom of expression, working to improve income and conditions, promoting New Zealand writing and literary culture. Developing and creating a community for writers.

The right to freedom

of expression

The right to fair reward

Our Writers

The NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) has been representing the interests of NZ writers since 1934. We are a community of writers who are proud to include some of New Zealand’s finest writers as members. NZSA fights for freedom of expression through our affiliation to International PEN.

Branches and Hubs

Our eight branches from Northland to Southland offer the opportunity to network with other writers, attend workshops, take part in seminars, enjoy social events, learn aspects of the craft of writing, enter branch specific competitions, and participate in decision-making about the Society.

Membership Benefits

We represent writers of all genres and formats at all stages of their career. We offer information services, professional development programmes, advice and advocacy, awards, grants, residencies and fellowships, promotional opportunities and members discounts.

Latest News

Barbara Else wins 2019 Ignition Festival Award for Excellence
11 December 2019
We are proud to announce the 2019 Ignition Festival Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature was presented to Barbara Else. Barbara’s husband, Chris Else, received the award on Barbara’s behalf at the Ignition Festival launch reception on Thursday 7th November. Congratulations, Barbara! Barbara Else is the author of Go Girl –
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Police drama series wins Wellington University Prize
11 December 2019
A television drama series fictionalising events around the Te Urewera police raids of 2007 has been awarded the 2019 David Carson-Parker Embassy Prize in Scriptwriting at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Written by David Mamea as part of his 2019 Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing folio
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JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR 2020 AWARDS
11 December 2019
As entries continue to stream in for the 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, an expert panel of judges that includes writers, editors, booksellers and librarians has been announced, and is preparing for a summer full of reading that will put their vibrant and varied skills
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MissionPartners

The NZ Society of Authors is proudly supported by Creative New Zealand, Nielsen, Copyright Licensing NZ, Pub Charity, Your Books, The Web Company, Waitemata Local Board Accommodation Grant