A Guide for NZ Self-published/Indie Authors
How to Do Bookshop Sales…

How to approach a bookshop:
a guide for self-publishers/independent authors
we are pleased to offer this collaborative new resource to our members.
This guide was prepared by Booksellers NZ, the Kiwi Kids Bookshop and NZSA as a resource for members : November 2024

The Guide FINAL

Tax for NZ Writers – Basic Advice

This resource was prepared by NZ accountant Anna Scott, as a guide of tax basics for NZSA members.

It accompanied a full presentation given as a NZSA Webworkshop November 2024.

Tax basics for Writers with Anna Scott CA CPP Handout

 NZSA Webworkshop on accounting with Anna Scott.mp4 – Recording of the workshop

Writing Scams

For more information about writing scams, simply type in the name of the publisher, agent or competition + scam in Google and it will find it for you. Or you can visit:

  • Writer Beware – Sponsored by, among others, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, this site supplies warnings and advice about scam publishers, agents, and contests, and a list of alerts for writers and aspiring writers worldwide.
  • General Guidelines & Tips on Avoiding Scams

NZ Writers Organisations

Organisations and associations that represent and act as a resource for specific disciplines, genres and specialties.

Writing Festivals and Book Fairs

See our full list that is updated each fortnight in our NZSA Literary Bulletin

Online & NZ-based courses

Click here for our list of online and New Zealand-based courses.

Guides and Tutorials

Best Practice Guide – a guide for screenwriters and producers working together. The Guide is a collaboration between NZWG and SPADA (in association with the NZFC) and was developed to support the inaugural cohort of the Creative Collaboration in Action Programme.

NZ Book Awards

See Death by Deadline in the NZSA fortnightly Literary Bulletin for all closing dates for writers’ awards, competitions, residencies, submissions, and opportunities.

Online Dictionaries

  • The Free Dictionary – A comprehensive dictionary available in multiple languages, this resource also includes a thesaurus, acronyms, abbreviations, idioms, and also translation and reference links with each definition example.
  • Your Dictionary – An easy-to-use dictionary that provides instant and concise definitions, with sentence examples. It also provides a comprehensive thesaurus, quotes, and access to reference material, from grammar rules and usage, to abbreviations, books, and literature.
  • OneLook – This resource accesses multiple online dictionaries with each word search, from general usage through to specific research areas such as art, medical, and science. From here, you follow the link to the dictionary definition of your choice.
  • Māori Dictionary – A fantastic tool for English-Te Reo Māori translations of individual words. The comprehensive definitions include idioms, phrases, and proverbs.
  • Thesaurus.com – For when you have brain freeze.
  • Urban Dictionary – Dictionary of slang.
  • Dictionary of Cockney Rhyming Slang
  • Pseudodictionary – Dictionary of made-up words.
  • Online Etymology Dictionary – Lists the origins of words from the English Language.

Device Apps: Apps are constantly changing and updating. Currently, we can recommend ‘Dictionary.com’ for a one-touch comprehensive dictionary, thesaurus, and translator. It includes trending words, and a fun ‘Word of the Day’.

Encyclopedias and Reference

  • Wikipedia – Currently one of the most popular online encyclopedias, this is a detailed, multilingual resource, but can however be edited and updated by anyone.
  • DigitalNZ – a free search engine, that eliminates the need to visit multiple sites and provides access to reliable information about NZ culture and history. Allows for a single search of multiple sites including Te Ara, NZHistory, RNZ, Te Papa, Nga Taonga Sound and Vision, NZETC.
  • Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand – Available in both English and Te Reo, this New Zealand resource contains historical overviews, stories arranged in sections, a keyword search, and blog.
  • How Stuff Works – Looking for fascinating or weird facts about any subject? You can spend hours here!
  • The New Zealand Electronic Text Centre – A digital library of New Zealand and Pacific Island recent and heritage material from Victoria University.