Pictured: Ben Fagan, Eleanor Lornie, Emma Sidnam, Holly Fletcher, Lynda Scott Araya, Perena Quinlivan, Shelley Burne-Field, Christina Marcham, Elena Philp, Fran Cain, Lucy Revill, Marianne Bevan, Scott Fack, Trish Harris (From left, top to bottom)
We are pleased to announce that 14 emerging writers have been selected for the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa Mentorship Programme 2022, from a record 134 entries.
Judges Lee Murray, Caroline Barron and Mikaela Nyman said deciding was a difficult task, and described the entries as: ‘Simply excellent and included innovative projects on compelling and important topics in a variety of genres, the richness on offer revealing the depth and breadth of talent among New Zealand’s contemporary writers.’
The 2022 mentees are emerging writers with unique voices and we congratulate: Marianne Bevan (Wellington), Shelley Burne-Field (Takapau), Fran Cain (Pegasus), Scott Fack (Christchurch), Ben Fagan (Wellington), Holly Fletcher (Dunedin), Trish Harris (Porirua), Eleanor Lornie (Whau Valley), Christina Marcham (Auckland), Lucy Revill (Wellington), Lynda Scott Araya (Oamaru), Emma Sidnam (Wellington), Elena Philp (Auckland), and Perena Quinlivan (Auckland). Find out more about these mentees and their exciting writing project!
They will spend the remainder of 2022 honing their skills and developing their craft under the mentorship of some of New Zealand’s finest professional writers.
‘Caroline, Mikaela, and I only wish there had been more mentorships on offer, given the exceptional projects submitted in this year of unprecedented demand. For those writers who weren’t selected, it was a delight to read your work. We hope you’ll persevere with your writing and consider other opportunities on offer through the NZSA, including courses and networking support, selection panel convener Lee Murray commented.
For the mentees awarded a mentorship, we wish you all the very best as you develop your projects under your mentors’ guidance. We look forward to reading those books in years to come.’
Find out more about the NZSA Mentor Programme
Mentorships are offered by the NZSA every year with the intent of fostering and developing emerging writers with the support of established practitioners. The NZSA has run a highly successful mentoring programme for writers since 1999. The NZSA Mentor programme is supported by funding from Creative New Zealand.
For further information and for media enquiries: Jenny Nagle, Chief Executive director@nzauthors.org.nz 09 3794801 authors.org.nz
