The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) Regional Roadshow brings professional development to the regions. Each one-day conference offers local writers access to professional development, masterclasses, workshops and panel discussions taught by experienced writers from across Aotearoa.

These events are organised in partnership with local NZSA branches to build collegiality, connection and new opportunities for professional development in local settings.

The events are lively, inclusive, stimulating, and practical and offer something for writers across the spectrum. Sessions cover craft, publishing, marketing, and much more!

Ōtautahi Regional Roadshow

9am – 4.30pm, Saturday 25 March, Hagley College, 510 Hagley Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

What’s on:

Welcome with Vanda Symon
Opening Kōrero: Witi Ihimaera in conversation with Tina Makereti
Workshops: Three dimensional characters – Not just skin deep with Vanda Symon; Internetting for Authors 101 with Jack Cottrell; Poetry close reading with Joanna Preston; Editing with James Norcliffe
Discussion: “What is a literary genre but a family of works that resemble one another – in style, form, technique, goal or philosophy?… Genre can be viewed as affiliation.” Rachael King and Jack Cottrell. Chaired by Vanda Symon
Closing Address: Tina Makereti

4.30pm-6pm: Join the NZSA Canterbury Branch for complimentary drinks, nibbles, chat and a chance to make those all important connections.

(Image clockwise from top left: Rachael King, James Norcliffe, Vanda Symon, Witi Ihimaera, Joanna Preston, Tina Makereti, Jack Cottrell)

FIND OUT MORE | BOOKINGS FOR THIS EVENT

Changes may need to be made on the day due to Covid-19 or other issues. In the event of illness of a presenter, we will do our best to provide an alternative session on the day and/or arrange a session online with the original presenter, after the event.
We will be following all COVID-related guidelines as directed by the venue. We ask that you stay home if you are unwell.

Previous Roadshows – highlights and insights

These events have been and are organised in partnership with local NZSA branches to build collegiality, connection and new opportunities for professional development in local settings.

The events are lively, inclusive, stimulating and practical and offer something for writers across the spectrum. Sessions cover craft, publishing, marketing and much more!

The first step of our roving professional development journey began in Ōtepōti/Dunedin, in the rohe of Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki who opened our event. We then traversed to Ōtautahi/Christchurch to the lands of Ngāi Tahu and then visited Nelson before heading north across the Cook Strait.

We have been lucky to have a team of talented, experienced writers and teachers share their knowledge and expertise with our attendees across the South Island including NZSA President of Honour Paula Morris, current Poet Laureate David Eggleton, fiction writer and editor Sue Copsey, self-publishing expert Steff Green, author, teacher and current NZSA President Mandy Hager, short story writer, novelist and teacher Owen Marshall and teacher and writer of YA Tania Roxborogh.

Gallery

(Photos at top from the Christchurch Roadshow, includes clockwise from top left: Kirsten Le Harivel, Sue Wootton and David Eggleton, Tania Roxborough, Vanda Symon, Owen Marshall, Heather McQuillan and Emma Neale).

Participant comments

It’s difficult to find just one highlight. I attended masterclasses by Mandy and Paula and both were exceptional. It was lovely to connect with other writers too. aha! Actually there was a highlight, in Paula’s address when she made us all welcome and included us all in the writerly community, that was the highlight for me.

I think the variety of speakers was great. I was inspired by Steff, she was interesting, I took a lot of points away from her lecture, one gutsy lady!!

Meeting other NZ writers and the NZSA executive.

The opening address by Paula Morris was the highlight for me. Very encouraging and inspiring.

Being in the same space as people who love to write.

This was a wonderful occasion and I was made to feel very welcome. Thank you so much.

I was really impressed at the event and thrilled that COVID19 made it possible. I would not have travelled to Auckland (and even knowing how good the event was, I’m sorry I still wouldn’t; it’s simply too costly in terms of both money and time); I would perhaps stretch to Christchurch but I always love a chance to visit Dunedin.

I would attend religiously, even if they were quarterly.

Meeting Steph Green and learning about promoting written work.

It was all a highlight/ I liked the two master classes run by Paula and Mandy and also Gavin Bishop’s session. Also very good was Paula’s opening.

For me, it was the editing session with Sue Copsey.