Congratulations
Congratulations are in order: plenty of them. If I’ve forgotten someone who deserves congratulations, please let us all know in the comments!
So, congratulations to:
- All the poets whose poems are included in Best New Zealand Poems 2008 – I was especially pleased to see poems by Emma Barnes, Emma Neale and Tim Upperton included.
- Iain Britton, whose new book of poetry Liquefaction is being published by Interactive Publications (who are also publishing Voyagers: Science Fiction Poetry from New Zealand).
- Renee Liang, whose play Lantern, which sold out its run in Auckland, is coming to Bats Theatre in Wellington from Tuesday 21 April – Saturday 2 May.
- Tania Hershman, who was one of two writers commended by the judges of the Orange Prize for New Writing when they announced their shortlist of three books for the award. The judges praised the remarkable quality of her work – quite right too! Tania’s first short story collection, The White Road and Other Stories, was published in 2008, and I interviewed Tania on my blog as part of her virtual book tour.
A Workshop
In association with ConScription, the 2009 New Zealand Science Fiction Workshop, comes …
The Writers’ Workshop of Unusual Length
featuring Julie E. Czerneda with Nalini Singh
Auckland, New Zealand, 27 to 29 May 2009, 8.30am to 5.00pm every day
This three-day workshop is about writing in general, not just SF&F — the lessons contained therein apply to all genres. There are a limited number of seats, so get in fast.
“My approach to working with other writers is simple: how can I help them with the creative process? I don’t critique what they’ve done. I don’t feel it’s useful to the writer once I’m gone, unless I happen to be that writer’s editor. What is useful is encouraging self confidence and providing tools to create more and better work. The activities I run make them write in ways most will never have imagined: out loud, with strangers, and quickly. I guarantee they’ll have fun. So will I. They’ll come away with new ideas and knowledge. They’ll realize they can make changes and choices, and know how to talk about their work with others. I want writers to leave my workshops invigorated, enthused, and ready to succeed no matter what they want to write or what they’d like to accomplish with their writing. The creative process should be a joy (as well as work) and those with the courage to attempt it nourished as much as possible.” —Julie Czerneda
“This workshop is structured and designed to take the participant from idea generation right through to sale of story. I have the outline in my hot little hand and am convinced that the three days will be well worth the investment for anyone who takes their writing seriously.” —Kevin G. Maclean
Bring pen and paper, or a laptop.
The Tutors
Julie E. Czerneda is the author of more than ten science fiction novels, and is the editor of several young adult science fiction anthologies. She has run many writers’ workshops for adult and teenage writers, and is currently a consultant for the Canadian Government on Science Fiction in Education. For more information about Julie and her works, go to www.czerneda.com.
Nalini Singh is the author of over ten romance and paranormal novels, and several novellas and short stories. She has given many talks on the process of writing, and has appeared at many romance writers’ conferences. For more information about Nalini and her works, go to www.nalinisingh.com.
The Essential Details
When: 3 days, Wednesday – Friday, 27 – 29 May, 8.30 am–5.00 pm
Where: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Corner Kirkbride & Ascot Roads, Mangere
Cost: $150.00 pp for the course (parking onsite $5 per day, payable to the hotel). Lunch not included
Bring: pen & paper or laptop
Places: Limited to 24 participants
Go to: www.conscription.co.nz/ConScription/registration.htm for the registration form .
Registration
There’s only a limited number of seats, so if you’re interested in attending, please register as soon as possible. If the workshop is overbooked, you’ll be placed on a waiting list in order of registration, and contacted if a seat opens up. You can register for the workshop by the same form as for the convention: for either alone, or for both together. For details, please see the registration page. Payment is expected along with the registration. It will be returned in full if you cancel by 30 April.
