Writers Week, Monday 27 June – Friday 1 July

Welcome to a week of inspiring writing workshops in the novel, freelance journalism and non-fiction writing, and life writing and creative writing. The workshop fee of $349 includes registration in a workshop of your choice and optional attendance at the 'The Life Cycle of a Book' lectures. 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.

Cost: $349.00     (International Fee: $409.38)

When: 5 days, Monday - Friday, 27 June - 1 July, 11.15am - 3.15pm

Each workshop is limited to 16 participants

We also offer people the opportunity to attend the 'The Life Cycle of a Book' lectures only for a fee of $69.00.

Workshop Options

“Short Cuts" - the Short Story

Majella Cullinane, BA, MLitt, MA, HDip

Would you like to create memorable characters, plots and snappy dialogue in as few as 50 words, or up to 5,000? The short story is an exciting and dynamic form which allows the writer the flexibility and imagination to explore the world of fiction in a more concise and focussed way.

Session ID: 102392

Where: Room 326, Level 3, Building No. 810, 1-11 Short Street, CBD

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 some fundamentals for running a small business.

Session ID: 102459          

Where: Room 332, Level 3, Building No. 810, 1-11 Short Street, CBD

The Best of Life Writing

Deborah Shepard, PhD

Life writing is an ideal medium for discovering your writing strengths because we can all recount, with confidence, the stories of our lives. The Best of Life Writing offers a selection of favourite and proven writing exercises and discussion topics along with some new themes and challenges. It is suitable for newcomers and returning life writers keen to maintain the momentum. Join us and luxuriate in a full week of life writing. 

Session ID: 102465          

Where: Room 330, Level 3, Building No. 810, 1-11 Short Street, CBD

Writing 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. Suitable for both beginning writers and those with a novel in progress. 

Session ID: 102408          

Where: Room 218, Level 2, Building No. 810, 1-11 Short Street, CBD

The Life Cycle of a Book

Session ID: 102406          

Cost: $69.00 (International Fee: $78.80)

When: 4 mornings, Monday - Thursday, 27 - 30 June, 10 - 11am

Where: Room 332, Level 3, Building No. 810, 1-11 Short Street, CBD

The Inner Adventures of Writing Books

Monday 27 June, Siobhan Harvey, BA, MA

Churchill said, “Writing a book is an adventure”; he also said it was a toy and monster. Through her experiences of writing two books recently, Siobhan will talk about the journey of a book from idea to finished product – the passion, diplomacy, discussion, discipline, toil and triumph.

Siobhan Harvey is the author of the poetry collection Lost Relatives, the book of literary interviews Words Chosen Carefully: New Zealand Writers in Discussion, and the anthology Our Own Kind: 100 New Zealand Poems about Animals.

Between Writer, Reader and Publisher: The Role of the Book Editor

Tuesday 28 June, Anna Hodge, BA (Hons), Dip Publ

An editor is the invisible but crucial figure who sits between a writer and his or her readers – while also representing the interests of the publisher. How are these often disparate loyalties reconciled? Here Anna discusses the processes, perils and pleasures of editing with reference to this hazardous but rewarding triangle of interests.

Anna Hodge is the senior editor at Auckland University Press, with a background and particular interest in New Zealand creative literature.

The Art and Business of Bookselling
Wendy Tighe-Umbers, BSc

Nevena Nikolic, BCom, DipPubl

What are the key elements involved in running an award-winning, independent bookstore? Find out from someone who knows! You will hear about the ins and outs of selection/buying, hand-selling and customer service, in-store marketing and display and the sale or return process.

Wendy Tighe-Umbers is the owner of Time Out Bookstore and has 25-years experience in education.

Nevena Nikolic is a former book publicist and now book buyer at Time Out.

Shelf Life: The Library’s Role in the University

Thursday 30 June, Helen Renwick BA, DipNZLS, DipTchg

The Library retains its role as the heart of the university, clichéd though the image may be and despite major changes in the way it operates and the nature of information. This talk will touch on The University of Auckland Library’s operations, collections and services and its place in the life of the book.

Helen Renwick has spent most of her professional life in university libraries and is currently an associate university librarian at The University of Auckland where she has a particular interest in print collections.