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

2020 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition

Open to all NZSA members $500 first prize, $250 second prize, $100 third prize Opens 25 September, closes 4pm, Friday 30 October Brought to you by NZSA Auckland Branch Conditions of entry The competition is open to all NZSA members. All entries must be original and not previously published...
WORDSMITH: Memoir, Fiction & Auto Fiction (fictionalised autobiography/memoir)

Waiheke Island, 5 - 11 OCTOBER 2020 This course is an introduction to the art of writing short fiction and/or memoir, suitable for both beginner and more advanced writers. The 5 sessions include exercises as learning tools plus time to workshop ideas with support and guidance. 1 – Introduction. Story arc. Scene, characters,...
2020 Michael Gifkins Prize for an Unpublished Novel awarded to Gigi Fenster for 'A Good Winter'

Gigi Fenster has received the 2020 Michael Gifkins Prize for her novel, A Good Winter. Fenster receives a publishing contract with Text and a NZ$10,000 advance against royalties. The award was accepted during an online event hosted by Text Publishing and the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi...
Zephyr Short Story Competition

NATIONAL SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2020 run by the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors. Judges: Whiti Hereaka (Open) and Mandy Hager (Junior) The competition has two sections: JUNIOR: writers 18 years and younger 1st Prize – $150.00 in book tokens 2nd Prize – $100.00 in book tokens 3rd Prize – $50.00 in book...
Psychology for Writers – with Darian Smith - WebWorkshop

10am to 12pm, Saturday, 21 November. Writers know their characters need to be fully rounded, multi-layered, and believable but how do we do it? This session will cover a variety of theories used by counsellors and psychologists to understand human behaviour and adapt them into easy tools for writers to...
Making author life work for you – with James Russell - WebWorkshop

10am to 11.30am, Wednesday, 4 November. In this interactive session, children’s author and indie publisher James Russell will share tips on how to make a living from the sale of your books based on his success with his Dragon Brothers series in New Zealand and overseas. James Russell is a bestselling...
Getting through the hoops – with Siobhan Harvey, Geoff Walker, and Geraldine Warren - WebWorkshop

10am to 12pm, Thursday, 29 October. There are many awards, grants, residencies, mentorships and competitions available to New Zealand writers, here and overseas but sometimes it can seem really hard to achieve success in this space. In this panel discussion, Geoff Walker, Geraldine Warren and Siobhan Harvey will share their experience...
Who Are You? Tina Shaw on Creating a Successful Protagonist - WebWorkshop

10am to 12pm, Tuesday, 6 October. Stories are all about characters – what they do, what they think and how they feel. Whether you’re writing YA or for adults, a successful lead character is the key to engaging your readers. In this workshop we will look at ways to bring...
NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship 2020 recipient announced

Siobhan Harvey, Recipient of the NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship 2020 Auckland-based writer, academic and arts advocate Siobhan Harvey will use the fellowship to support the writing of her latest poetry project. Siobhan says: ‘I’m humbled and honoured to be awarded the 2020 NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship.This is an important award,...

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

New Zealand writing thrives in Covid-19 lockdown – Dunedin’s Angela Pope wins this year’s Sargeson Prize
28 September 2020
New Zealand’s richest short story competition has thrived despite challenging circumstances for writers. Angela Pope was one of the hundreds of New Zealand writers who used the Covid-19 lockdown in April to get creative and enter this year’s Sargeson Prize short story competition, sponsored by the University of Waikato. She
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The future of the cultural and creative sector – Election 2020
28 September 2020
Listen to this discussion between those with the arts portfolio
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Meet our 2020 Arts Foundation Laureates
28 September 2020
24.09.20 Meet the 2020 Arts Foundation Laureates – congratulations to NZSA member Shayne Carter The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi welcomes seven new Laureates to our 100-strong alumni. Established in 2000, the Arts Foundation Laureate Awards celebrate and empower New Zealand’s most outstanding practising artists across all genres. The Award recognises their
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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

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