This year’s issue of Turbine I Kapohau, the annual online literary journal of the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML)—Te Pūtahi Tuhi Auaha o te Ao, is now live. The journal showcases new fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry from the 2023 Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing workshops at the IIML, as well as brilliant work from emerging and established writers across Aotearoa.
The journal features an extract from 2023 Adam Foundation Prize winner Joseph Trinidad’s essay collection Lucky Creatures, and poems by 2023 Biggs Family Prize in Poetry winner Ella Borrie, as well as work by the current Poet Laureate Chris Tse, and former Laureate David Eggleton.
In an engaging and illuminating interview, 2023 Creative New Zealand Te Herenga Waka―Victoria University of New Zealand Writer in Residence Noelle McCarthy speaks candidly about her current project, a memoir that explores the influence Bram Stoker’s Dracula has had on her life.
The writers featured in this issue stay close to a sense of place and landscape. On Rakiura, Jane Bloomfield finds her experience of reading a Penguin classic shaped by the island’s personality; on Rangitoto, Lou Annabell finds the strata of midden overlaid and braided with layers of family history. These landscapes can be both grounded and surreal. Sarah Scott takes us inside a painted world, layer by brush-stroked layer. Ruben Mita invites us into a series of imaginary cafes, replete with curious proprietors.
Senior lecturer Chris Price says, “Established and emerging writers stand proudly shoulder to shoulder in this journal. This was an exceptionally strong year for creative nonfiction at the IIML, and this year’s edition reflects those strengths – but people will undoubtedly be seeing books from many of the fiction writers and poets represented here in future.”
With over 160 submissions, this year’s Turbine | Kapohau editors had their work cut out for them. “Contained in the 2023 issue are works that amongst a throng of high-quality writing, reached up and waved out, refusing to be ignored. We are thrilled to feature such a rich collection of new work from a total of 63 writers,” says Chris.
Six of those writers, including 2023 Fiction Prize winner Michelle Duff, 2023 Biggs Family Prize in Poetry winner Ella Borrie, and rising poetry star Cadence Chung, also perform their pieces in a series of moving recordings.
This edition of Turbine | Kapohau was co-edited by 2023 MA workshop members Madeleine Fenn, Tōrea Scott-Fyfe, and Anna Scaife. You can view the journal at:
