Winter Writers Week 2010 at CCE

Welcome to a week of inspiring writing workshops in the novel, freelance journalism and non-fiction writing, and creative writing. Friday afternoon concludes with a social gathering where workshop participants and tutors are invited to share refreshments and a selection of readings from work produced during the week.

The workshop fee of $300 includes registration in a workshop of your choice and optional attendance at the Guest Lecture Programme.

We also offer people the opportunity to attend the Guest Lecture Programme only for a fee of $60.00

Workshop Options:

38111 The Novel
James George

This workshop will provide a solid grounding to the process of fiction writing, focusing on the novel as a narrative form. Designed to be practical, technical and inspirational, you will explore fundamental structures of narrative storytelling and how these can be expressed in creating fiction, specifically the novel. This course is suitable for both beginning writers and those with a novel in progress. Limited to 15 participants

When: 5 sessions, Monday - Friday, 28 June - 2 July, 11.15am - 3.15pm

38110 Freelance Journalism and Non - Fiction Writing
Paul Smith

If you are interested in freelance journalism and/or non-fiction writing, then this course will start you on your way. The techniques and processes of interviewing, researching and feature writing will be examined, analysed and then put into practice. We will also discuss the range of subjects and styles in feature writing and non-fiction books. The methods for structuring material for these longer forms of writing will be examined in detail. Because freelancing usually means self-employment, the course will also include the fundamentals for running a small business. Limited to 15 participants

When: 5 sessions, Monday - Friday, 28 June - 2 July, 11.15am - 3.15pm

38080 Out of Your Head: Writing Short Fiction and Poetry
David Lyndon Brown

"The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought peculiar to you…And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours."
Alan Bennett.

OUT OF YOUR HEAD will challenge, inspire and stimulate the creative impulse to write. Through class activities (writing exercises, critiquing and discussion) you will develop your own writing voice. This course is suitable for aspiring writers who need some impetus and confidence to start or continue their writing. David Lyndon Brown's unique approach to writing has guided several of his students to publication and literary prizes. Limited to 15 participants

When: 5 sessions, Monday - Friday, 28 June - 2 July, 11.15am - 3.15pm

Guest Lectures:

Monday 28 June

Writing is like breathing - I just must

Sonja Yelich, BA

The process of writing involves a pen, paper or laptop. It involves time and it involves one word following another, nothing more, nothing less. Of course, it goes without saying - you have to be a greedy reader to be a writer. In this presentation Sonja will discuss her journey as a writer, what inspires her and feeds her creativity. She will also read some of her work. 

Sonja Yelich is currently the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellow and is working on a new collection of poetry and a novel.

Tuesday 29 June

How poetic languages enact

Lisa Samuels, PhD

This talk will discuss examples of different discourses and approaches to representation in poetry, from the embodiment of words and syntax (different looks and sounds) to the invention of images and indicated worlds and situations (approaches to the transparent and the opaque).  

Lisa Samuels is the author of four chapbooks and five books of poetry, most recently The Invention of Culture. She is an Associate Professor of English at The University of Auckland.

Wednesday 30 June

Widows and orphans in the gutter: The history and future of book publishing

Sam Elworthy, PhD

Drawing on 15 years experience in the publishing industry in the United States and New Zealand, Sam Elworthy will reflect on how book publishing works now. He will also discuss the impact that developments from e-readers to plagiarism to print on demand will have on publishing over the next decade.

Sam Elworthy is Director of Auckland University Press and Vice President of the Publishers Association of New Zealand.  

Thursday 1 July

The New Zealand Society of Authors - then and now

Maggie Tarver, LLAM (Hons), ALAM (Hons), LGSMD

This presentation will discuss the history of The Society of Authors (NZSA) and how it has become the principal advocate for New Zealand writers. It will touch on the future of the publishing industry with the explosion of internet publishing, including a brief update on the Google Book Settlement and will look at what NZSA can do for you today.

Maggie Tarver is the Director of NZSA and has been with the Society for two years.