December from the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival

Posted: Thursday Dec 03, 2020

Want to be part of the festival?
We’re recruiting for two fixed-term contractors, a Marketing Coordinator and an Events Coordinator, to help us make the 2021 festival its usual smooth and magnificent experience for our audience and our guests.

If you love words and social media and have an eye for the story angles, or if you’re a genius at managing logistical details and charming guests and suppliers, we want you in our team.

Details and job descriptions are at www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/jobs and applications close 5pm Monday 14 December.

A gift that gives twice

It’s that time of year when we’re thinking of ways to make our best and dearest people feel treasured and a little spoilt so we had an idea…

Why not give your favourite people a gift that will make them happy when they open it AND again a few months later?

A Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival voucher means they’ll remember who their favourite person is for a second time when they browse our programme and book their tickets for the festival in May.

And we love that an experience gift is a sustainable gift and one that can’t be replicated.

Vouchers are available at a range of values and valid for 12 months. Click here to purchase.

An invitation

The amazing Community of Readers project has extended a very warm invitation to come along to He Iwi Kōrero, a South Dunedin community whānau night.

The kaupapa of this evening is to present the South Dunedin Community of Readers project, celebrate the kupu and designs, and to share stories and storytelling traditions.

Bathgate Park School – 213 Macandrew Road, South Dunedin
5.30pm, Wednesday 9 December
No cost
Register here

He Iwi Kōrero is hosted by the Communities of Readers partners – the National Library, the Ministry of Education, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, and the Dunedin City Council – and coordinated by Mātāwai Associates.

Learning opportunities for writers

NZSA Mentor Programme 2021

The NZSA Mentor Programme is accepting applications from writers looking for professional development, a safe space to discuss their work, intellectual community, role models, accountability and substantive feedback. Applications are open until 1 February 2021.

The NZSA Mentor Programme gives beginning or emerging writers who demonstrate potential and commitment the opportunity to work closely with an experienced writer as their mentor in order to hone their writing skills and, in the process, take a piece of work from the early stages to a polished manuscript with potential for publication.

More information here.

For teens - WRITE ON Summer Writing School 2021
If you are aged between 13-19 then you are eligible to register for Summer Writing School for Teens.

The school encourages young writers to find and develop their own voice and style; inspires young writers to participate in the creative process of writing so they can express their ideas with confidence; enables young writers to experience the power and enjoyment of accomplishing writing tasks; and guides young writers through the process of preparing their writing for publication to bring their work to more people.

18-22 January, 2021, Hagley College, Christchurch
Fees: Full week - $250, one day bookings (limited spaces) - $60 a day
Check here to see if you qualify and for some background on the school

Penguin Random House Māori and Pasifika Publishing Scholarship
In partnership with the Graduate Diploma in Publishing at Whitireia Community Polytechnic Ltd, Penguin Random House New Zealand is delighted to announce a new publishing scholarship for Māori and Pasifika students.

Called the Penguin Random House Māori and Pasifika Publishing Scholarship, it aims to reduce barriers to equity and diversity and to increase inclusivity in publishing in Aotearoa, by funding one Māori or Pasifika student to study the Graduate Diploma in Publishing at Whitireia Community Polytechnic Ltd each year.

More info at Penguin Random House Māori and Pasifika Publishing Scholarship

Summer School – fake news, conspiracies and more
University of Otago is launching a series of continuing education courses on dealing with fake news, misinformation, conspiracy theories etc. One day courses for professionals and teachers, and one over three afternoons for concerned adults and senior citizens.

Details at https://www.otago.ac.nz/continuingeducation/about/otago748679.html