We hope you enjoy reading our selection of articles, opportunities and events in this fortnights enews. There is a lot happening this fortnight, so we hope you get the chance to take in some of the opportunities and events listed here. Today is National Poetry Day, which has so many events that we have created a special listing to showcase them!

Enjoy your weekend!
Jackie Dennis and Claire Hill

It’s no Great Secret that the World of Publishing is Changing.

What is a secret is how much. Is it changing a lot? Has most of the change already happened? What does the future look like?

The problem with these questions is that we don’t have the data that might give us reliable answers. Distributors like Amazon and Barnes & Noble don’t share their e-book sales figures. At most, they comment on the extreme outliers, which is about as useful as sharing yesterday’s lottery numbers. A few individual authors have made their sales data public, but not enough to paint an accurate picture. We’re left with a game of connect-the-dots where only the prime numbers are revealed. What data we do have often comes in the form of surveys, many of which rely on extremely limited sampling methodologies and also questionable analyses. More...

WEST PAPUA: NZ Journalist Calls for ‘Extra Mile’ in Coverage of Rights Breaches

A leading journalist writing on West Papuan affairs says New Zealand and Australia need to go the “extra mile” to cover the human rights violations that are being carried out by the Indonesian government.

Paul Bensemann traveled to the country disguised as a bird watcher last year.

He calls West Papua the “hidden conflict” because of the severe lack of coverage given by New Zealand and Australian media.

“We know a lot about northern hemisphere conflicts because of the international agencies’ coverage, but we get almost nothing about West Papua,” he says.

The indigenous population of West Papua has been in conflict with its Indonesian government since 1963. The government continues to commit multiple human rights violations, including murder and torture.

Despite such atrocities, the New Zealand and Australian media have given little coverage on the conflict. Critics say this needs to change to bring an end to these violations. More

Congratulations to Rachel Fenton on her exciting progress.

Auckland writer, artist, and NZSA member Rachel Fenton goes neck and neck with UK writer Amy Mason as the duo battle it out for the prestigious literary prize with one of them set to earn a publishing deal and £10,000 cash prize, the largest cash prize in the UK.

It was a stiff competition from 400 other entrants to reach this stage, and will now face further scrutiny from this year's all-star judging panel comprising literary megastar Neil Galman, broadcaster Kirsty Lang, agent Felicity Blunt, publisher Scott Pack and former Man Booker Prize judge Stuart Kelly. The judges will read each and debate their merits before the winner is announced. 

Anna Day, of Literary Dundee, said, “We're really excited by the two prize finalists in this fantastic year for the Dundee International Book Prize. The entries continue to impress us with the richness of the new voices, and this is something we are proud to celebrate. Rachel and Amy really impressed us with their assured and compelling debuts. We don’t envy the judges, but can’t wait to find out which title will win.”

The Dundee International Literary Prize will be announced at The Dundee Literary Festival gala dinner on October 23rd.

Good luck, Rachel!

Why We Need Independent Bookstores More Than Ever

(Extract from article by Tom Roberge of New Directions in Publishing Perspectives)
Until recently, the reasons that bricks-and-mortar bookstores — especially independent owned ones — feared and despised Amazon were obvious. By virtue of the sheer size of Amazon’s network of warehouses and shipping centers, and because the online retailer is so shamelessly willing to allow books to serve as loss leaders, Amazon has been able to drastically undercut the prices on books, something that physical stores simply don’t have the luxury of doing. Amazon’s model, it has seemed for years now, was designed — though perhaps not as maliciously as we’ve all asserted—to drive everyone else out of business, leaving Amazon as the only fiscally solvent bookseller left standing. More

All Done Copyediting/Copy Editing/Copy-Editing

(Extract from article by Lucy Ferriss in www.chronicle.com)
The copy edits have gone back. Hallelujah.
I’m referring here to the 350-page manuscript for my new novel, A Sister to Honor, forthcoming in January 2015, which I received in copy-edited form 18 days before my wedding date, with a two-week deadline. Between negotiations with the caterer, travel arrangements for various relatives, and the borrowing of baby stuff for my fiancé’s grandkids (the complications of senior nuptials), I cranked on the edits. More

In China, You Don’t Need a Publisher to Rake in the Big Yuan

(Extract from article by Dennis Abrams in Publishing Perspectives)
China’s self-publishing portals are offering writers access to vast audiences and earning them staggering royalties, and turning some into multi-millionaires.
Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Wei Gu says that twenty-three year old Zhang Wei is leading the way among writers in China who are making big bucks by publishing exclusively online.
As Wei notes, “Writers publishing their work solely online have become some of the highest-paid authors in China. They have tens of millions of followers – usually young men in China’s smaller cities – who each pay a small sum to read the novels on their smartphones. Their superhero science-fiction stories can be uplifting to young men who feel frustrated because they can’t find a wife or buy a home.”
Wang Xi, founder and chief executive officer of Easou.com, a search engine aimed at people in China’s so-called third- and fourth-tier cities told the Journal that, “China has entered the mobile internet world, which is about satisfying users’ entertainment needs. The biggest growth potential is from people in small cities, who don’t have PCs but are now watching videos and reading books on their hand-held devices.” More 

7 Surprising Reasons You Procrastinate

(Extract from blog by Halvor Gregusson)
According to an article in Psychology Today, 20 percent of people chronically avoid putting their nose to the grindstone and actively look for distractions!  That seems incredible in a society that values efficiency and “multitasking” as much as ours does.  And yet, it’s true.  But the big question is, why?

Procrastinators are trained from birth… to some extent.  That’s the gist of psychological research into the art of stalling.  One increasingly popular theory is that procrastination has its roots in childhood, where it functioned as a sort of rebellion against authoritative parental figures or as a goalless apathy in the presence of an overwhelming pressure to perform.  But even that deep-seated basis can be reversed if you get to the heart of the matter.

Doctor Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at De Paul University in Chicago, says that there are three types of procrastinators in the world:

• The arousal types, who get a thrill from rushing through projects at the last minute – whether they come out on top or not.
• The avoiders, who don’t want to get to the end of any given project because the fear of change keeps them paralyzed.
• The decisional procrastinators, who simply cannot make any decisive choices because they can’t bear the results of their actions. More

Congratulations to NZSA Member Lizzi Tremayne!

Writing as Lizzi Tremayne, Elizabeth Thompson, won the RWNZ Pacific Hearts Award for the full novel, from a list of unpublished authors at their annual Conference Awards Dinner last Saturday night at Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland. Her story, A Long Trail Rolling, is a Western Historical Adventure with Historic Elements. 

Lizzi lives in Waihi and is a member of the NZSA. She is currently Secretary of RWNZ, and is Co-convenor of the Coast to Coast Branch of the RWNZ.  She has written professionally as an equine veterinarian for many years, but this is her first work of fiction.
Sheryl Buchanan, a past NZSA member, and a current member of the Coast to Coast Branch of the RWNZ, placed second in the competition!  More

WORD Christchurch

When: 27- 31 August
WORD Christchurch presents international and New Zealand novelists, poets, playwrights, biographers, journalists, bloggers; all writers and thinkers together in events that celebrate the written word and provide a window for readers to respond to ideas. We currently present the largest library event in the South Island - the biennial writers and readers festival. 

With 70 events that showcase quality fiction, ideas, politics, food writing, poetry, music, crime, satire, the Christchurch rebuild, children's books and free family events, there really is something for everyone. For more information on the various programmes visit

Stories and Stages
(Extract from article in the Big Idea)

Author and producer of Black Faggot, Victor Rodger and NZSA member Karin Williams, are unequivocal about creating work outside the euro-centric nexus of New Zealand. They share their journey of bringing Black Faggot to Edinburgh and the responses of audiences, both at home and in Scotland.

“We have to constantly deal with different forms of invisibility,” explains Rodger, “And that’s across all art forms. As a 44-year-old man I’m not a young thing anymore and I wondered who am I to tell a young person’s story about growing up brown and gay – and then I said, wait, I was that person, and I know how it was.”

Widely applauded for pushing boundaries and embraced by audiences in New Zealand and Australia  Black Faggot has had several incarnations and both Rodger and Williams are delighted with the journey it’s taken. More

Download a Copy of the Frankfurt Book Fair 2014 Preview Magazine

Publishing Perspectives and the Frankfurt Book Fair have put together a preview of the 2014 Fair, complete with trade industry trends, publisher and agent interviews, can’t-miss events, and program highlights. This is available through the Publishing Perspectives website.

An Introduction to the Art and Craft of Memoir

6 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesdays, 23 Sept - 28 Oct., Michael King Writers' Centre
An introduction to the art and craft of memoir The Michael King Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce a new course on writing memoir to be led by author, film and art historian, and life writing mentor Deborah Shepard. This series will be an introduction to the art and craft of memoir, designed for people who do not have much experience with writing. The cost is $230 incl GST and the course will be limited to nine participants. More

Creative New Zealand Todd New Writer's Bursary
This opportunity is for $20,000 to assist published writers or presented playwrights at an early stage of their career. Applicants for an Arts Grant in the September round are automatically considered for this bursary.
Next round closes: 5 September. To find out more

Scriptwriting for Beginners
This course, from Victoria University Continuing Education and taught by Gavin McGibbon, covers scene construction and how to make scenes effective and gripping. You will learn how to write visually for film, about the importance of stories and what audiences want from them, and how to create a story that stands out from the crowd.
Course dates: Saturdays from 30 August to 27 September. More

D'Arcy Writer's Residencies on Waiheke Island
New Zealand writers are invited to apply for two three-month residencies to write essays of about 10,000 words on New Zealand life and culture. This is an opportunity for writers to contribute to a genre which has been neglected in New Zealand literature over recent decades. An executive committee of experienced writers, editors, journalists and librarians will judge the entries. The winning writers will reside in a two-bedroom cottage on the hill above Onetangi Beach on Waiheke Island with a stipend of $1000 a month.
Application Deadline 15 September. More

CD Short Story Competition
Central Districts Branch, NZSA, is again running a short story competition. Entrants should be normally resident within the branch's region (Central Plateau, East Coast/Poverty Bay, Hake's Bay, Horowhenua, Manawatu, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Whanganui). There are three sections: open, student (years 9-13), and intermediate age (years 7-8). You can contact John Ross for details j.c.ross@massey.ac.nz.
Application Deadline 3 October. More. For entry conditions and entry forms

Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship
Thanks to a generous donation by Peter Beatson, one author will be awarded $7,000 and the option of one month's stay at the Dianne Beatson Residency, Foxton Beach during the development of a writing project.
Application Deadline: 29 September. To find out more

National One-Act Playwriting Competition
The winner of Best Play will take home a prize of $3,000, 2nd place $2,000, and 3rd place $1,000.  This playwriting competition offers a unique opportunity for the t3 finalists to see their new work performed on stage at Noosa Arts Theatre One-Act Play Festival, over 3 weeks as part of the Noosa Long Weekend Festival. NOTE: This competition is not restricted to Australian residents.
Application Deadline: 1 October. To find out more 

Three Research Grants at Auckland Museum Library
The national grant is valued at $3,500 and includes four weeks accommodation at the Michael King Writers' Centre. Two local grants of $1,500 will also be awarded to authors wanting to utilise the facilities and resources of the Auckland Museum Library while developing their manuscript.
Application Deadline: 6 October. To find out more

Graeme Lay Short Story Competition
The winner will receive $350.00, presented by Graeme Lay at the December meeting of the branch. The winner will read their story or have someone read it for them at the December meeting. Second and third place will receive a bottle of wine at the December meeting. NOTE: The competition is only open to NZSA Auckland branch members. 
Deadline: 31 October. To find out more

NZSA Janet Frame Memorial Literary Award
One mid-career or established author will be awarded with $3,000 to further their literary career thanks to a gift given to the NZSA by the Janet Frame Literary Trust.
Application Deadline: 31 October. To find out more 

Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children’s Writers and Illustrators 23-31 August
Dunedin Family Day Sat 23 August, 11am-3.30pm, Dunedin City Library
Christchurch Family Day Sun 24 August, 10am-3pm, Upper Riccarton Library
Wellington Family Day Sun 24 August, 10am-3pm, Michael Fowler Centre
Whangarei Family Day Sat 30 August, 10am-2pm, Whangarei Central Library & The Old Library Arts Centre
South Auckland Family Day Sat 30 August, 10am-3pm, Vodafone Events Centre Manukau
Auckland Family Day Sun 31 August, 10am-3pm, Aotea Centre
Workshops and Seminars: Auckland and Wellington, various locations – see storylines.org.nz for details
LINKS to performer websites: www.mrroberelli.co.nz, www.juliewyliemusic.com, www.festusmcboyle.co.nz

Old St Paul's and the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Presents - Wellington
Friday August 22nd, 6pm, At Old St Paul's in Wellington. 34 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon
Musician, poet and 2014 VUW/Creative NZ Writer in Residence, Hinemoana Baker, shares her favourite poems and songs in this exploration of what is better left unsaid. 

Writing Workship with Amanda Eason
Friday, 22 August, 10:30am -12pm, Point Chevalier Library, 1221 Great North Rd, Pt Chevalier
Amanda will guide you through the poetry writing process, refreshments available. To RSVP

TRUST: Creative Writing Journal Launch
Friday, 22 August, 5:30-7pm, Toi Ora Live Arts Trust, 6 Putiki St, Grey Lynn
All contributors to TRUST have had contact with mental illness. Live performances, drinks and nibbles provided. Each book features a handmade cover, $10 on the night. More 

Pop-Up Poets
Sunday, 24 August, 1pm, Starts at Britomart
Sally Strange-Love, Shane Hollands, Sirjana Singh, Callum Stembridge, Sisilia Eteuati, Ali Jacs, Gus Simonovic. Poets bring their words to CBD streets and footpaths. More 

Monsters, Musicians and an Antarctic Teddy Bear at Storylines Family Day
Sunday, 24 August, 10am - 3pm, Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield St, Wellington
Wellington Storylines coordinator Eileen Mueller is excited about the rich and varied program at Family Day. “We have something for everyone at Family Day. Kids can dress up in Antarctic and beekeeping suits, and try on army gear. NIWA has provided us with Marine samples. Monsters will be running amok. There are lots of fun activities, based on books, to inspire kids to read more.” Getting children into reading and books has never been simpler – just bring them along to the Storylines Free Family Day and they will be set for life!

Celebrating Poetry Out West
Sunday August 24th, 2:30-5pm, French Bay Yacht Club, Otitori Bay Rd, Titirangi
Celebrate poets and poetry from West Auckland with Bob Orr and John Pule. West Auckland has a rich history of poetry written towards the landscape and sea. Come along to hear the feature poets, music by Jana and Fender, and share your poems at the open mic section. Bring your books, chapbooks or visual poetry to sell or swap. The venue is surrounded by the bush and sea, looking into the heart of nature itself. Kokako coffee, tea and cake. The perfect way to wind down after National Poetry Day. Further info.

In Conversation: Anne Kennedy & Iain Sharp
Sunday, 24 August, 4pm, Michael King Writers' Centre, Summit Rd, Takarunga Mt Victoria, Devonport
Join these writers in a conversation about the world of writing, over a glass of wine. Contact

Writers on Mondays - Wellington
Mondays, 12:15-1:15pm, Te Papa Marae, Level 4, Te Papa Museum, Wellington
Admission is free. The full 2014 Writers on Monday programme can be viewed here...

No Hugging, some Learning: Writing and Personal Change
6pm, Tuesday 26 Aug. Hunter Council Chamber, Level 2, Hunter Building, Gate 2, Kelburn Parade
Professor Damien Wilkins will explore this question in his inaugural lecture titled “No hugging, some learning: writing and personal change”, and says his goal is perhaps to see some change of thinking by both the optimists and cynics in the audience.
RSVP by Friday 22 August either by phone 04-463 6700 or email

Strange Journeys: The Thrills & Spills of the Multi-Tasking Writer
6pm, Tues 26 August, The Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie, Wellington (tickets include a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles)
Featuring award-winning Australian children's author Gary Crew.Join Gary as he covers all his major works including site locations, drafts and how he writes. More

Ellie Baker's Book Launch Invitation - Pukekohe
Tues 26th August 7pm, Columbus Café, 65 Edinburgh St, Pukekohe,
The Emotional Challenges of Immigration, Strategies and stories from those who stayed by Ellie Baker. Essential guide for immigrants now or later and those that love them. More information or RSVP by 18th Aug to Ellie

 Book Launch Invitation from Felicity Price
Thursday August 28th, 5:30-7:30pm, Paper Plus Merivale Mall, 189 Papanui Road, Christchurch
A Jolt to the Heart by Felicity Price is being launched. Please feel free to bring a girlfriend if they like books! Refreshments are of course provided. Please RSVP to Felicity here. 

PAGE2STAGE 2014 Live Event
Saturday, 30 August, 7:30pm, TAPAC, 100 Motions Rd, Western Springs
Performance poetry featuring programme participants, special guests & open mic spoken word. More

A Chinese Odyssey: Author Talk
Saturday 30 August, 2-3pm. 
Author Mee-mee Phipps will talk about her books, Memories in the bone, Destinies divided and The Ming Admiral: a Chinese odyssey. Mee-mee writes Chinese historical novels to interest people in Chinese history and culture, and to give a voice to the early Chinese who suffered greatly in the West. More

Book Launch Invitation - Beyond the Free Market: Rebuilding a Just Society in New Zealand
6pm, Saturday, 30 August, the Garden Room, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Rd.
Editors: David Cooke, Claire Hill, Pat Baskett, Ruth Irwin. Contributors include: Sue Bradford, Peter Conway, Nicky Hager, Kevin Hague, Tim Hazledine, Manuka Henare, Dylan Horrocks, Jane Kelsey, Helen Kelly, Mike Joy, John Minto, John O’Neill, Bill Rosenberg, Sir Edmund Thomas. Published by Dunmore Publishing.Guest speaker: Sir Edmund Thomas. Refreshments will be served. RSVP

Witi Ihimaera Lecture and Conference
Lecture: Thursday, 4 September, 6-7pm, Hunter Council Chambers, Kelburn Campus, V.U.W.
Professor Witi Ihimaera will discuss 'What if Cyclops was Alive and Well and Living in a Cave in Invercargill?' Refreshments to follow.
Conference: September 5-6, Old Government Buildings, Wellington 
There is an upcoming public address by Witi Ihimaera to inaugurate the conference 'Athens to Aotearoa: Greece and Rome in New Zealand Literature and Society'. Professor Ihimaera will discuss the place of Greco-Roman antiquity in his work; refreshments will follow. More

Wairarapa Word presents 'Fiona & Fiona'
Sunday, 7 September, 2.30-4.30pm, Carterton Events Centre, Holloway Street, Carterton
Fiona Farrell writes in a variety of genres. Some of her novels, poetry and non-fiction books have been shortlisted for the Montana and New Zealand Post Book Awards. Fiona Kidman has published some 30 books, including poetry, novels, short stories, and non-fiction. For more information contact Madeleine Slavick

Cherry Blossom Moon Festival
Tuesday, 9 September, 6-7:30pm, Masterton Library Square, Masterton
Come and help welcome spring. We will drum up the Super Full Moon, which rises at 6:19pm, share poetry, stories, music, and other arts. Trees will be hung with poetry. For information or to contribute poems: megglepeg@yahoo.co.nz

PANZ Workshop: Contracts and Selling Rights
16 September, 10:30am-3pm, Westpac Takutai Square, Auckland
The workshop will feature 2 sessions. The first devoted to contracts taken by Frances Crombie a legal expert with background in managing publishing contracts. The second session will feature an in depth look at selling rights with Fiona Inglis current MD of Sydney based literary agents Curtis Brown Australia.  Email Katherine@publishers.org.nz to register. More

SWANZ Awards Night - Auckland
25 Sep - evening
Celebrate with New Zealand’s best film, stage and television industry writers in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. There's a bar tab to kick things off, and snacks to fuel you as you rejoice in the amazing writing achievements on show. $35 NZWG members / $45 non-members / Open to Revellers of All Persuasions Book your spot by emailing NZWG

Roadwords: A Literary Tour of Southern Towns by Four Award-Winning Writers
Oamaru Public Library, Thursday 2nd October – 6pm
Dunedin Public Library, Friday 3rd October – 6pm
Eastern SouthlandArtGallery, Gore, Saturday 4th October – 4.30pm 
Te Anau Public Library, Sunday 5th October – 2pm.
Wanaka Public Library, Tuesday 7th October – 7pm 
Four award-winning authors will read from new work and speak about their passion for writing this October. More 

Members' Book Launches

If you have a book launch coming up and would like us to publicise this for you, please send details to office@nzauthors.org.nz . 

If you have a new book send a jpg of the cover and a brief synopsis to programmes@nzauthors.org.nz and we will put it in the monthly ChapBook.

Chalk on Hobson Wharf
Friday, 22 August, 12-4pm, Maritime Museum, cnr Quay & Hobson Sts,Viaduct Harbour (if raining, Voyager NZ Maritime Museum)
Join poets chalking on the waterfront, free. More

Poetry Central 2014
Friday, 22 August, 5:30-7pm, Whare Wananga and atrium,level 2, Auckland Central Library, Lorne St CBD  
Makyla Curtis, Murray Edmond, Ya-Wen Ho, Selina Tusitala-Marsh, Alice Miller, John Newton, Jack Ross, Robert Sullivan. Free entry, free poetry posters, refreshments. More

To The Ends of the Verse
Friday, 22 August, 6-7:30pm, McMahon House Museum, 67 Otitori Bay Rd, French Bay, West Auckland
Poets: Serie Barford, Sam Sampson. Music by Richard Ingamells. Free entry, mulled wine by koha. More

All Tomorrow's Poets
Friday, 22 August, 6:30pm, Time Out Bookstore (upstairs), 432 Mt Eden Rd
Ross Brighton, Kirsti Whalen, Craig Foltz, Isobel Cairns, Zarah Butcher McGunnigle, Jessica Hansell, Gregory Kan, Steven Toussaint, Alex Wild, Manon Revuelta. MCs Gregory & Steven. Each poet will read their own work, and an inspirational poem. Free entry, refreshments and food provided.

NZ Poetry Slam: Auckland Regional Slam Heat
Friday, 22 August, 7-9pm, The Thristy Dog Cafe and Tavern, 469 Karangahape Road
See twelve poets vie to represent Auckland at NZ Slam finals in Wellington. Cash prizes for the public, surprise guest poet. Sign up on the night: first in first served. More

Divine Muses XI: An Evening of Poetry
Friday 22 August,  6.30 pm, at Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland Street, Auckland
Chris Tse, Bob Orr, Riemke Ensing, Peter Bland, Siobhan Harvey, and Rosetta Allan-MC will each read a selection of poems from recent and past collections. Towards the end of the evening the finalists of teh 2014 New Voices - Emerging Poets competition will be announced and the winner will read their selected poem.

National Poetry Day Wrap Party
Saturday, 23 August, 7:30-10pm, Merge Cafe, 453 Karangahape Rd, Auckland
Page2Stage artists, book sales, music, open mic spot. Sign up on the night for open mic - first in first served. Koha entry, light refreshments/hot drinks available. More

Interested in Being Added to New NZSA List of Ghostwriters/Writers for Hire?

The NZSA National Office receives regular inquiries from people who have a story to tell and are looking for an expert to help them with their tale.
If you would like your name added to a list of ghostwriters/writers available for hire, please send through your contact details and membership number to the NZSA Office along with a brief paragraph of information about your writing background.

 August

A list of all those important deadlines... found on NZ Literary Calendar

If you wish to change the look of the calendar so that it appears in list format
then click on Agenda on the top right hand corner of the calendar.

 New Zealand Fiction – Week ending 16 August 2014

1 The Naturalist - Thom Conroy (Vintage)
2 The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton (VUP) ISBN 9780864739889
3 MiStory - Philip Temple (Font Publishing)
4 Heartland - Michele Leggott (Auckland University Press)
5 Heartland - Jenny Pattrick (Black Swan) 
6 Tenderness: Stories - Sarah Quigley (Vintage) 
7 The Bright Side of My Condition - Charlotte Randall (Penguin)
8 Essential New Zealand Poems: Facing the Empty Page - Danielle Hawkins (Godwit)
9 The Infinite Air - Fiona Kidman (Vintage) 
10 The Last Days of the National Costume - Anne Kennedy (Allen & Unwin)

New Zealand Non-Fiction – Week ending 16 August  2014

1 Dirty Politics - Nicky Hager (Craig Potton)
2 Dr Libby's the Calorie Fallacy - Libby Weaver (Little Green Frog)
3 The Great New Zealand Cookbook - (PQ Blackwell)
4 John Key - John, Roughan (Penguin)
5 Winston: The Story of a Political Phenomenon - Ian Wishart (Howling at the Moon)
6 On the Hoof: The Untold Story of Drovers in New Zealand - Ruth Entwistle Low (Penguin)
7 Slow Food Fast - Alison Holst & Simon Holst (Hyndman)
8 South Sea Vagabonds - J.W. Wray (HarperCollins)
9 At My Table - Chelsea Winter (Random House)
10 No Punches Pulled - Bob Jones (HarperCollins)

New Zealand Fiction & Non Fiction – Children & Teens - Week ending 16 August 2014

1 The Boring Book – Vasanti Unka (Puffin)
2 I am Rebecca - Fleur Beale (Random House)
3 
Old Macdonald's Farm – Donovan Bixley (Hachette)
4 I Need a New Bum! - Dawn McMillan (Libro International)
5 The Wheels on the Bus- Donovan Bixley (Hachette)
6 Time for Bed Little Kiwi - Bob Darroch (Puffin)
7 Speed of LIght - Joy Cowley (Gecko)
8 Kakapo Dance - Helen Taylor (Puffin)
9 Dunger – Joy Cowley (Gecko)
10 I am No Esther - Fleur Beale(Random House)

Here's a link to The Nielsen BookScan Independent Booksellers’ List

The above lists are compiled from locally produced publications only and are not to be copied or reused.

Radio NZ National Book Readings 
Saturday, 23 August - Friday, 29 August

SATURDAY MORNING WITH KIM HILL
If you don’t get to listen to interviews with writers on Saturdays you can always go to the Radio NZ Website and listen to the interviews once they post them: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday

Saturday, 23 August
This House of Grief: The Story of a Murder Trial by Helen Garner 

NINE TO NOON – 10.45am
Monday, 25 August
The Patriot (short story) by Alice F Webb 
Read by Tom Eason

Tuesday, 26 August - Thursday 28 August
All That Ends Starts Again by Rochelle Elliot
Read by Vivienne Bell

Friday, 29 August
A Rainy Night (short story) by Judy Haughee-Bartlett
Read by Jacque Drew

ALL NIGHT PROGRAMME - 3.05 am
Saturday, 23 August - Thursday 28 August
Smoking in Antarctica by Steve Braunias
Read by Steve Braunias

Friday, 29 August
The Don Fernando Motels by Owen Marshall
Read by Paul McLaughlin

 The Creative Hub, Auckland’s Waterfront Writing Centre

 www.thecreativehub.net.nz    enquiries@thecreativehub.net.nz

30 Week Fiction Course
Our next 30 Week Fiction Course begins on 30 September. The course is in its fifth year, and features many of NZ’s leading writers and editors as workshop leaders and mentors, including Fiona Kidman, Tessa Duder, Geoff Walker, Roger Hall, Chris Else, Sarah Laing, Sue McCauley, Elisabeth Smither and Judith White. Students receive one-on-one mentoring over the summer with an established Kiwi writer. Graduates regularly report that the most valuable aspect of the course is the close support of a group of like-minded start out writers. Many graduate groups go on meeting for years after the end of the course, so you get several years support for the price of one! Seven graduates of our 30 week fiction courses have gone on to publish novels or win prizes in national writing awards.

Introduction to Creative Writing, starts 30 Oct, 6-8pm, eight weeks (or any time online)
Have a go! This course is intended to introduce you to some of the basic skills and techniques that can make writing so enjoyable. You might already keep a journal, or have written some poetry or short stories, but would like to find out about some of the tools professional writers use to make their work publishable. If so, this course is for you. Graduates receive a 10% discount on our 30 Week Fiction Course. Taught by Creative Hub director John Cranna. More

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James George & Jocelyn Watkin: The Story Bridge Writers’ Coffee Club
Stuck with your writing? Want to indie (self) publish but don't know how? In the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee you can get help from The Story Bridge team (James George and Jocelyn Watkin).
For the price of two coffees per week ($9 per week for three months) you can get help, ideas and inspiration to:

• Start, finish and/or publish your book (print or ebooks).
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• Use social media (Facebook, Twitter).

Add on another $9 per week for our hot 'double shot' option - all the benefits of 'regular' coffee membership PLUS assessment of your writing.
One club member told us: "I learned more in one 30-minute session with you than I did from other full-day writing workshops."
The next Writers’ Coffee Club starts on 11th October. Minimum membership is three months. Places are limited. Find out more at www.thestorybridge.co.nz
Or, send an email to thestorybridge@gmail.com and tell us in a 2-3 sentences how you'd like our help.
Applications close 6 October 2014.  
James George is a professional writer, creative writing teacher and mentor. Jocelyn Watkin is a full-time writer, blogger, indie publisher and freelance journalist.

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A Residential Workshop on Publishing – for Writers

Publishing Now, a residential workshop on publishing, features a stellar lineup of publishers and publishing experts. Publishing is in a state of flux, and this workshop is designed to help writers get a detailed understanding about what's happening in the world of publishing today, from traditional publishing to self-publishing and digital publishing. Organised by the Michael King Writers’ Centre – the six in its successful series of major residential workshops -  it will be held at beautiful Vaughan Park in Long Bay from November 1 to 3. Places are limited and applications close soon.

• Where: Vaughan Park, Long Bay, Auckland
• When: Saturday November 1 to Monday November 3, 2014

Fee, including accommodation and meals:
$595 incl GST for single accommodation
$550 incl GST for twin share

Please contact the Michael King Writers’ Centre for more details or visit the centre’s website.
Ph: 09 445 8451       Email: workshop@writerscentre.org.nz     Website: www.writerscentre.org.nz
The residential workshop offered with the support of the ASB Community Trust.

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Walker & Reidy Editorial Services

Just completed writing your book? 
Wondering about your next step?  

If you’ve already completed several drafts of your novel or non-fiction work and polished your text to the best of your ability, then it’s time to commission a professional manuscript assessment. We recommend that your work is assessed before you approach a publisher or before you commission a copy editor (if you’re self-publishing).

Geoff Walker is the former publisher of Penguin Books NZ. Sue Reidy is a published novelist (four books).

Our assessments will provide an informed, impartial and professional opinion of your work. The report will cover the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript. If it’s a novel, we’ll provide suggestions on how to improve and rework it towards a publishable standard. This will include comments on characterisation, plot, structure, POV, dialogue, setting and voice. Our suggestions may also cover how to increase the dramatic tension, how to add more nuance to character depiction and ways to maximise the possibilities of the setting or plot.

We can also edit your MS and offer expert advice on self-publishing if you choose this option.

 WALKER & REIDY EDITORIAL SERVICES

MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENTS, EDITING, SELF-PUBLISHING CONSULTING

geoffwbooks@gmail.com, (09) 3788 875, 021 223 5045    

suereidy@gmail.com, (09) 378 8883, 021 637 887

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The Caselberg Trust International Poetry Prize for 2015

The Caselberg Charitable Trust operates a residence for writers and artists on the Otago Peninsula at Broad Bay, Dunedin. The Trust has run a variety of collaborative artistic events since it was established in 2006, including awards for poetry and painting in schools, and its three-months ‘Creative Connections’ Residency.

 Do you know how well your book is selling?

Lifetime* title sales Lifetime* author sales Live title tracking (minimum period of 8 weeks) Bestseller reports for specific subject categories

 BookScan reports are competitively priced and a valuable tool in monitoring the effects of
promotional campaigns, making business decisions such as ordering a reprint,
or with scoping the potential for a new title in a specific subject area. 


For more information please contact:
Anna Hart phone 0800 447 029 or email: anna.hart@nielsen.com
or visit our website www.nielsenbookscan.co.nz 



* Please note lifetime starts December 2008 or from publication date if published after December 2008

 The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.) acknowledges support from Creative New Zealand

The information included and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of

The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc)

The next issue will be on Friday 5 September 2014. 

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