• Modern Commedia play wins University scriptwriting prize IIML

      14 December 2022 A full-length theatre play giving traditional Commedia dell’Arte a modern spin has been awarded the 2022 David Carson-Parker Embassy Prize in Scriptwriting at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML). Written by Ella Yiannett as part of her 2022 Master of Arts folio at the IIML, […]

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  • NZCYP Judges announced for 2023

    Convenor of judges Nicola Daly is an Associate Professor at the University of Waikato, where she is codirector of the Waikato Picturebook Research Unit and teaches courses in children’s literature. Nicola’s research focus is the use of languages in picture books, and she has received several fellowships to pursue this interest, including at the International Youth Library […]

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  • JOHN SUMMERS RECEIVES 2022 JANET FRAME AWARD FOR PROSE

    Janet Frame Literary Trust Announcement Award Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Janet Frame’s Most Famous Prize Wellington writer John Summers will this week receive the 2022 Janet Frame Literary Trust Award for Imaginative Prose, worth $7000. John Summers has published two books of short non-fiction, The Mermaid Boy (2015) and The Commercial Hotel (2021). His writing […]

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  • Protecting Australian artists – Australia’s Albanese government moves to protect creative rights

      The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP 24 November 2022 Media Release The Albanese Government is committed to copyright laws that protect Australian artists and enable them to earn a living from their creative works. The Attorney-General’s Department will release an issues paper for public consultation as the first stage of a review into whether […]

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  • Australian authors income survey – similar to NZ, though slightly higher

    New survey results show Australian authors earn on average $18,200 7.12.22 In 2015, Macquarie University researchers investigated the experiences of Australian authors and reported the oft-cited finding that writers earned on average $12,900 per annum from their creative work. This figure has now been updated, following the 2022 National Survey of Australian Book Authors, to $18,200 […]

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  • NZ Summer of Reading campaign launched by Read NZ

    An online campaign launching today will again encourage Kiwis to pick up a book and share their reading this summer. NZ Summer of Reading is a light-hearted campaign to share and promote reading for relaxation and pure fun. Now in its second year, it will run until the end of January. Read NZ Te Pou Muramura […]

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  • Ursula Bethell Writers in Residence for 2023 announced

    Congratulations to NZSA member Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) and to Octavia Cade, on winning this residency. Ariana Tikao is a past Arts Foundation Laureate, a multidisciplinary artist, and is particularly known as a taonga puoro practitioner. She will be following up her most recent book, ‘Mokorua: Ngā kōrero mō tōku moko kauae’ (AUP) by working on […]

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  • Call for Submissions: Botanical Short Stories

    I’m delighted to announce that submissions are open for Botanical Short Stories, an anthology of contemporary writing about plants and flowers which will be published by The History Press in spring 2024. The book’s editor is Emma Timpany and illustrations are by RHS Gold medal winning botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey From tokens of love to neolithic burial gifts, bridal bouquets […]

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  • The 2022 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition winners announced by the NZSA Auckland Branch

    In announcing the winners for 2022, Graeme praised the ‘impressive’ standard of writing from the top ten shortlisted stories. ‘Several were drawn from early childhood, viewed through the knowing lens of adulthood. These were usually moving, although also infused with sadness. Refreshingly, some also possessed comic elements.’ First place was awarded to Janet Holst for her story ‘A Good […]

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  • Colleen Maria Lenihan named as 2023 Emerging Māori Writer in Residence – IIML

    Acclaimed short story writer Colleen Maria Lenihan (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) has been appointed as the Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) and Creative New Zealand Emerging Māori Writer in Residence for 2023. Ms Lenihan’s first book of stories, Kōhine, was published this year and received rave reviews. The stories […]

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  • Creative New Zealand appoints Toi ki Tua to deliver new digital service to arts sector 

    MEDIA RELEASE The Arts Council (Creative New Zealand’s governing body) is pleased to announce the appointment of Toi ki Tua, a company owned by We Are Indigo, to establish and deliver a new Digital Arts Commissioning and Capability Service.   The new service will give artists and arts organisations the opportunity to utilise the latest […]

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  • Changes at WORD Christchurch – Nic LOW steps down

    NOVEMBER 28, 2022 AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM WORD  After two years in the role, Nic Low is stepping down from the Programme Directorship of WORD Christchurch. Nic leaves us with stronger ties to Māori writers and storytellers, and a new strength in livestreaming and innovative digital presentation. He is leaving to concentrate on his own writing and his role […]

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