Opportunities for NZSA members
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) offers a number of opportunities for NZSA members – paid opportunities that utilise the skills that members have developed as part of their writing career, and in opportunities to take a more active part in our writing community (some paid, some voluntary).
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) was established in 1934 and is the principal representative for the professional interests of writers. Protecting basic rights to freedom of expression, working to improve income and conditions, providing professional development opportunities, to promote Aotearoa New Zealand writing and literary culture, to increase the visibility and discoverability of Aotearoa New Zealand books and writers, and develop and create a community for writers.
NZSA Adult / Youth Mentor
NZSA Mentors are listed as available for either or both of the annual NZSA Adult Mentor Programme and the NZSA Youth Mentor Programme. NZSA mentors are drawn from experienced writers and industry professionals from the writing sector who are able to draw on their expertise in a genre, to offer guidance to new and emerging writers.
- NZSA Mentors are listed as available for either or both of the annual NZSA Adult Mentor Programme and the NZSA Youth Mentor Programme.
- NZSA mentors are drawn from experienced writers and industry professionals from the writing sector who are able to draw on their expertise to offer guidance to new and emerging writers.
Submit a request to be listed as an NZSA Mentor
NZSA Assessor
NZSA Assessors are listed as available for the NZSA StartWrite programme and the NZSA CompleteMS programme. NZSA Assessors also have the option to be listed on the NZSA Assessor page.
- This opportunity is only available to current members of The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)
- Applications to be an NZSA Assessor are reviewed by the NZSA National Board who are responsible for approvals.
- Once you have made your application it will be sent to the NZSA National Board for review. The approval process can take up to 8 weeks.
- When you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application (please check your junk/spam email if you don’t receive the email in your inbox).
Submit a request to be approved as an NZSA Assessor
Judges | Selectors for NZSA Programmes and Awards
NZSA runs and administers a number of programmes, awards and prizes throughout the calendar year. These are contestible, usually receiving between 60 and 100 applications. The recipients of these are chosen by a panel of judges | selectors who review the applications, confer and come to an agreed decision. Panels normally consist of 2 or 3 people, one of whom is the convenor of the panel (the convenor is an experienced judge | selector who is able to guide the other panellists and is familiar with the process.
NZSA seek to reflect and expand the breadth of our sector and welcome expressions of interest from diverse writers with relevant experience/background working across the full range of genres and writing disciplines. To be considered to be part of the panel of judges/selectors for upcoming programmes and awards click on this link and read through the supporting information about the various panels.
Selector | Judge expression of interest
NZ Author Magazine – pitch an article for a future issue
NZSA produces four quarterly issues of NZ Author magazine. This high-quality publication features pieces covering practical benefits and literary issues for writers. We welcome contributions from members to NZA magazine, including news items, suggestions for interviews, articles, or personal essays on writing that you would like to see featured in the magazine.
The current issue and past issues are archived here. Read through the guidelines for magazine contributions.
Pitch an article for NZ Author magazine
Presenting – at in-person events and/or online
NZSA hosts a number of events, both online and in-person. While most of these events are run by national office, branches also develop their own local programming. Options available:
Webworkshops
These are 1–2-hour online workshops featuring writers and industry professionals on topics such as self-publishing, romance writing, poetry, structure, short stories, pitching, contract advice, dystopian writing and the business of writing. All webworkshops are hosted on Zoom. Zoom is free to download
Regional Roadshows
Each one-day conference is comprised of 1-2-hour masterclasses, workshops, keynotes and panel discussions taught by experienced writers from across Aotearoa. These events are held throughout New Zealand and in partnership with local NZSA branches to build collegiality, connection and new opportunities for professional development in local settings. Topics covered include craft, publishing, marketing, and much more!
Writer Toolkit
The Writer Toolkit is an online learning platform offering static content for writers to complete at their own pace. Each module takes approximately an hour to complete and can be done independently or as part of a group. The modules cover a wide range of topics on writing and the writing life led by our leading authors and industry professionals. Each module contains notes, exercises, and suggestions for further reading on the topics. Read more about the Writer Toolkit including toolkits we already offer. Proposals for new writer toolkits should cover modules different to those already available.
Speaker for other NZSA events
In addition, you can pitch yourself for other events organised by national office and/or by regional branches and writer hubs.
If you are submitting to speak at a branch event, we will share your suggestion with the Branch for them to follow up on.
To be considered for any of these opportunities, you can complete the form below.
Expression of interest – presenting at NZSA event
Taking a greater part in our writing community
NZSA National Board – expression of interest
Strong governance of the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) means we can continue to represent members and lobby for all NZ writers and offer robust and forward-looking member services as a professional representative body. Delegates receive an annual honorarium and fee for National Board meetings attended. Travel expenses to attend in-person meetings are paid for by National Office. We aim for one board meeting per year to be face to face and others by Zoom computer-conferencing.
Primary responsibility
To provide governance of the Society for the benefit of all members AND to act as the representative for the literary community, maintaining contact with branch chairs, individual members and non-member writers as well as literary events and arts organisers in the region.
Ideal attributes :
1. Broad knowledge of the industry;
2. A good grasp of the major issues facing writers;
3. The ability to contribute to the strategy and direction of NZSA; and
4. A willingness to contribute to National Board cohesion and good working relationships
Management experience or skills relating to either finance, fundraising or governance would be welcomed onto the national board. We are looking for Board members who can offer diverse experience, skills or perspectives and welcome all applications. For our younger members, we represent you too, and your writing futures, and welcome your input at the Board level and we provide mentorship for board members. This is an opportunity to gain governance experience as part of career development.
NZSA National Board – expression of interest
NZSA representation opportunities
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) collaborates across the sector with other book sector organisations and has representatives on many sector boards and committees such as the Public Lending Right Advisory Committee (NLNZ); the Book Awards Trust, PEN Writers in Prison campaigns, Copyright Licensing New Zealand, The Robert Burns Fellowship committee, We Create, and The Coalition for Books. NZSA’s activities benefit the whole book sector, and professional development opportunities are open to all.
NZSA expression of interest – representation opportunities