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Coming EventsThe Top of the South Branch
of the New Zealand Society of Authors |
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This page provides information about events organised by the branch, by individual members, or of particular local interest. To have your event listed here, as well as in the weekly newsletter, contact the Branch Editor
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Writers at Lunchtime
Writers at Lunchtime meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month except January, starting at 11.30 am. There is a guest speaker at 12.30 pm, talking on a topic of general interest to writers.
The next Writers at Lunchtime meeting is on Wednesday 6 September, 11.30 am – 1.30 pm. The guest speaker at 12.30 pm is
Heidi Bleackley, who writes as H.G. Bells. Heidi is a Canadian author with an upcoming novel from a New York publisher. She wants to foster good craft, encourage authors to find their voice, and help them break into the US and world markets. She will be speaking about her craft technique, the process of finding an agent, how to deal with hundreds of ‘no’s, and what happens when you get a ‘yes’.
The venue for Writers at Lunchtime is The Prince Albert, 113 Nile Street, Nelson (car parking is accessed from Tasman Street). While the meetings are organised by the Top of the South branch of NZSA, everyone is welcome to attend. Come any time from 11.30 am, but be sure to be there at 12.30 for Heidi's talk. Gold coin donation appreciated. For more information contact Chrissie on 03-546 9818.
The next Writers at Lunchtime meeting is on Wednesday 6 September, 11.30 am – 1.30 pm. The guest speaker at 12.30 pm is
Heidi Bleackley, who writes as H.G. Bells. Heidi is a Canadian author with an upcoming novel from a New York publisher. She wants to foster good craft, encourage authors to find their voice, and help them break into the US and world markets. She will be speaking about her craft technique, the process of finding an agent, how to deal with hundreds of ‘no’s, and what happens when you get a ‘yes’.
The venue for Writers at Lunchtime is The Prince Albert, 113 Nile Street, Nelson (car parking is accessed from Tasman Street). While the meetings are organised by the Top of the South branch of NZSA, everyone is welcome to attend. Come any time from 11.30 am, but be sure to be there at 12.30 for Heidi's talk. Gold coin donation appreciated. For more information contact Chrissie on 03-546 9818.
Kiwi/Possum Productions at Mapua
Local theatre group Kiwi/Possum Productions continues to explore important West Coast issues with their latest production, Helen & the Ferals.
‘In Helen & the Ferals we tell the story of the battle for and against native logging on the Coast,’ states writer Paul Maunder. ‘The issue has been the one that has generated the most environmental controversy in the region and led, for a period, to an intense anti-Green feeling amongst many Coasters.’
In the play, which is something of a musical, a local punk rock band called Helen & the Ferals (named after Helen Clark’s infamous description of Coasters) retells the story of the controversy. Helen, by the way, having finished up at the UN, has joined the band.
Helen & the Ferals has its final performance at Mapua Community Hall on 9 September, 7.30 pm. The production is supported by Creative Communities.
‘In Helen & the Ferals we tell the story of the battle for and against native logging on the Coast,’ states writer Paul Maunder. ‘The issue has been the one that has generated the most environmental controversy in the region and led, for a period, to an intense anti-Green feeling amongst many Coasters.’
In the play, which is something of a musical, a local punk rock band called Helen & the Ferals (named after Helen Clark’s infamous description of Coasters) retells the story of the controversy. Helen, by the way, having finished up at the UN, has joined the band.
Helen & the Ferals has its final performance at Mapua Community Hall on 9 September, 7.30 pm. The production is supported by Creative Communities.
Romance Short Story Competition
Nelson Romance Writers announce their 2017 Romance Short Story Competition with the theme ‘A Holiday Romance’. There are three categories: published or self-published writers over the age of 18; non-published writers over the age of 18; senior students (years 11 – 13). Word count is 1200 words. The entry fee is $10 per story, or $20 if you wish to receive a written assessment of your story. You may submit more than one entry. Entries close on 1 September.
First prize in each category is a copy of Ripples, an anthology by Nelson Romance Writers, plus a big basket of romantic goodies. The supreme overall winner will be presented with a certificate plus one year’s membership of Romance Writers of NZ, including a subscription to Heart to Heart. The competition judge is Angela Bissell, a NZ romance writer published by Harlequin Mills & Boon.
For more information contact Annika Ohlson-Smith on nelsonromancewriters@xtra.co.nz. Download the entry form here
First prize in each category is a copy of Ripples, an anthology by Nelson Romance Writers, plus a big basket of romantic goodies. The supreme overall winner will be presented with a certificate plus one year’s membership of Romance Writers of NZ, including a subscription to Heart to Heart. The competition judge is Angela Bissell, a NZ romance writer published by Harlequin Mills & Boon.
For more information contact Annika Ohlson-Smith on nelsonromancewriters@xtra.co.nz. Download the entry form here
Writers of Picton
Writers of Picton meet on the first Monday of the month. Their next meeting will be on Monday 4 September, 11 am at Picton Library. The writing topic is the following item of news: ‘Police have cordoned off a house in Lower Hutt but say there is no danger to the public.’ The task is to build a story around this excerpt using 200-400 words.
Everyone is welcome to listen or participate. BYO lunch if desired. If you are interested in coming along, contact Irene & Peter Thomas
03-973 0638 or Julie Kennedy 03-573 8281.
Everyone is welcome to listen or participate. BYO lunch if desired. If you are interested in coming along, contact Irene & Peter Thomas
03-973 0638 or Julie Kennedy 03-573 8281.
Mapua Literary Festival
The 2017 Mapua Community Library Literary Festival takes place between 15 – 17 September. The theme this year is ‘Journeys’ – journeys real and imagined, journeys in time and space, journeys of the mind and the heart.
The Festival begins on Friday afternoon with a story telling and drama event for local schools, including Emma Stevens talking about her memoirs of life in Alaska. In the evening there is a literary quiz hosted by Joe Bennett.
On Saturday there are conversations with Joe Bennett, Fleur Beale, Fiona Farrell, Gerard Hindmarsh, Fiona Kidman and Duncan Sarkies. At 12.30 pm Bridget Auchmuty will be announcing the results of the two short story competitions run in the lead-up to the Festival. In the evening there is a twilight poetry session with Nelson Live Poets’ members Roger Lusby, Panni Palásti and Carol Don Ercolano, joined by Fiona Farrell and Fiona Kidman.
On Sunday there are more conversations with Paddy Richardson, Sarah Laing, Jenny Pattrick, Veronika Meduna and Elizabeth Knox. At 12.30 pm, Top of the South branch Chair Liz Mahoney will be talking about NZSA and what it offers for aspiring and established authors. The branch will also have an information/ display table throughout the Festival.
Most Festival events will be held in the Mapua Community Hall, 72 Aranui Road, Mapua, and cost $15. For the full programme and how to book, go to: http://mapualibrary.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/0/5/100571554/mapua_lit_fest_17_programme.pdf
The Festival begins on Friday afternoon with a story telling and drama event for local schools, including Emma Stevens talking about her memoirs of life in Alaska. In the evening there is a literary quiz hosted by Joe Bennett.
On Saturday there are conversations with Joe Bennett, Fleur Beale, Fiona Farrell, Gerard Hindmarsh, Fiona Kidman and Duncan Sarkies. At 12.30 pm Bridget Auchmuty will be announcing the results of the two short story competitions run in the lead-up to the Festival. In the evening there is a twilight poetry session with Nelson Live Poets’ members Roger Lusby, Panni Palásti and Carol Don Ercolano, joined by Fiona Farrell and Fiona Kidman.
On Sunday there are more conversations with Paddy Richardson, Sarah Laing, Jenny Pattrick, Veronika Meduna and Elizabeth Knox. At 12.30 pm, Top of the South branch Chair Liz Mahoney will be talking about NZSA and what it offers for aspiring and established authors. The branch will also have an information/ display table throughout the Festival.
Most Festival events will be held in the Mapua Community Hall, 72 Aranui Road, Mapua, and cost $15. For the full programme and how to book, go to: http://mapualibrary.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/0/5/100571554/mapua_lit_fest_17_programme.pdf
Marlborough Writers
Marlborough Writers meet on the third Tuesday of the month, 5 - 7 pm in the Louvre Room at Fairweathers, 36 Scott Street, Blenheim.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 19 September. First there will be an exchange of information by those present, followed by readings of the members’ responses to the writing challenge, which is a 100-word short story on the word 'pray' or 'prey', either spelling, past or present tense.
Visitors are always welcome to Marlborough Writers' meetings. Gold coin donation requested towards website costs. For more information contact Sushi Stewart at treehutcats@gmail.com
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 19 September. First there will be an exchange of information by those present, followed by readings of the members’ responses to the writing challenge, which is a 100-word short story on the word 'pray' or 'prey', either spelling, past or present tense.
Visitors are always welcome to Marlborough Writers' meetings. Gold coin donation requested towards website costs. For more information contact Sushi Stewart at treehutcats@gmail.com
Picton Poets
Picton Poets meet next on Wednesday 20 September, 10.30 am - 12 noon at Picton Library. The writing exercise is a poem on the topic 'On turning ...' (whatever age you choose).
The poets meet on the third Wednesday of the month, and welcome new members and visitors. For more information contact Mary Howan on 03-573 5973 or nadamary@xtra.co.nz
The poets meet on the third Wednesday of the month, and welcome new members and visitors. For more information contact Mary Howan on 03-573 5973 or nadamary@xtra.co.nz
