Monthly Archives: June 2017
Takahē Monica Taylor Poetry Prize 2017
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Judged by Elizabeth Smither
First Prize: $250.00
Second Prize: $100.00
Two runners up will receive one year’s subscription to Takahē
Unpublished poems of up to 50 lines long on any theme will be accepted.
Entry Fee: $5 per poem
Entry Forms can be downloaded here:
Each poem should be printed on one side of A4 and posted to:
Takahē 2017 Poetry Competition
PO Box 13-335
Christchurch
New Zealand
to be received no later than August 31
no email entries please
Result will be published in Takahē issue 91 (December 2017)
This new name commemorates Monica Taylor, a one-time contributor to Takahē
She represents all those whose publication in its pages brings unexpected delight.
Janet Frame’s desk features in a Victoria University student project
Students contribute to Victoria’s creative legacy
A project at Victoria University of Wellington has students building their creative thinking and research skills while writing stories about the University’s creative legacy.
Writing in their own voices, students have produced stories on topics ranging from Victoria’s art collection, the Classics Museum and Māori taonga (treasures) to ones about items with special significance. These include New Zealand author Janet Frame’s writing desk, Victoria alumni and chemist Alan MacDiarmid’s Nobel Prize medal and works of art that are displayed across the University and in exhibitions at the Adam Art Gallery.
“Victoria encourages creative thinking and enables experimentation, and this project has been an innovative way for us to teach and develop students’ storytelling and research capabilities,” says Dr Conal McCarthy.
“By having students engage with the University’s history, the project has integrated teaching and learning with civic engagement, contributing to Victoria’s role as a globally minded capital city university.”
The stories written by students about unique objects and buildings and the fascinating personalities that have shaped Victoria’s creative legacy will initially be accessed on the STQRY app, a mobile phone app featuring a global story-telling platform. Users find the stories using the in-built map or through pop-ups on their mobile as they pass the location of an object or story.
Master of Architecture student Gemma Winstanley says the project has taught her a lot about writing and storytelling.
“It’s given me a new perspective on how to put together a story—what should be given emphasis and where the most interesting elements are. I learnt that I had to get to the meat of my story quickly and how to put together a story to get the best out of it,” says Gemma.
Bachelor of Arts student Lisa Kiyomoto-Fink learnt how to approach research in new ways.
“I learnt that you have to put yourself out there in order to find the right information and the right interview subjects. Things often worked out better than expected because I had to try things through different avenues,” says Lisa.
The Creative Legacy project is an initiative of Victoria’s Cultivating Creative Capital theme—one of the University’s eight distinctive, multidisciplinary areas of expertise—and aims to showcase and celebrate Victoria’s heritage of imagination and innovation.
There will be around 150 stories in the STQRY app, each providing an account of the history of creative practice, people and places at Victoria.
Featured story: Janet Frame’s desk
In 1966, founder and editor of New Zealand magazine Landfall Charles Brasch gifted the desk he had used for 20 years to Janet Frame. After many adventures, it was gifted to Victoria University and now features on the STQRY app.
Janet Frame (1924–2004) is recognised as one of the greatest writers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The desk was altered twice while in her custody: to make it more comfortable, she shortened its legs. In 1968, the tenants leasing her home sawed the desk in half, explaining it would not fit in a room with a double bed.
Unfazed by the tenants’ alteration, Janet pushed the pieces together and continued to use it. In 1989, she gave the desk to neighbours in Levin when she moved to Shannon. The neighbours gifted the desk to Victoria in 1996.
A conservation report was commissioned, and some further repairs were made.
The desk now resides in the International Institute for Modern Letters on the Kelburn campus, where it is considered one of New Zealand’s most unusual literary treasures.
Tracy K Smith named new US Poet Laureate
Tracy K. Smith grew up in a house lined with books, an eclectic library that included dime-store mysteries, 19th-century novels, science fiction paperbacks, Shakespeare’s sonnets and Reader’s Digest Abridged Classics. It seemed vast to her as a child, but soon she’ll have full run of the world’s largest library: On Wednesday, Smith was named the new poet laureate of the United States.
Full story at Washington Post
Writers on Monday programme 2017 (yeah Charlotte Wood!!!)
LAUNCH EVENT: TELL ME MY NAME
Tuesday 11 July 5.30pm at meow, 9 Edward Street
To launch the 2017 Writers on Mondays programme in style, we are delighted to present this special opportunity to see the first Wellington performance of Tell Me My Name, Bill Manhire’s sequence of thirteen riddle poems, set to music by composer Norman Meehan and performed by vocalist Hannah Griffin and violinist Martin Riseley. The music starts at 6, but be there early to secure a place!
17 JULY
The Wish Child: Catherine Chidgey
Writers on Mondays begins with fiction writer and multiple award winner Catherine Chidgey. Chidgey’s first three novels achieved international acclaim. Her much anticipated fourth novel The Wish Child won the 2017 Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards and is published internationally this year. Set in Germany in 1939, The Wish Child is a profound meditation on the wreckage caused by a corrupt ideology, on the resilience of the human spirit, and on crimes that cannot be undone. Join novelist Kate Duignan in a discussion about this intelligent and lyrical book and Chidgey’s writing career to date.
24 JULY
Stella! Charlotte Wood in conversation with Emily Perkins
31 JULY
The Little Death of Self: Marianne Boruch
American poet Marianne Boruch notes that ‘Both poetry and the essay come from the same impulse—to think about something and at the same time, see it closely, carefully, and enact it.’ A recent poetry collection Cadaver, Speak, sees her in the dissection room considering the ravages and resilience of the body, and in her new essay collection The Little Death of Self, Boruch’s restless curiosity ranges across science, music, medicine and art, asking questions such as ‘Why does the self grow smaller as the poem grows enormous?’ She is joined by poet and essayist Chris Price to explore how her poetry and essays approach the big topics of love, death and human knowledge.
7 AUGUST
Poetry Quartet: Louise Wallace, Hannah Mettner, Maria McMillan & Airini Beautrais
These poets write works of boldness and acute observation. Louise Wallace’s Bad Things, Hannah Mettner’s Fully Clothed and So Forgetful, Maria McMillan’s The Ski Flier and Flow by Airini Beautrais are diverse and exciting books of poetry. Each writer engages with language in innovative ways to explore and reimagine history, commerce, science, love and the things people do. Come and hear the latest New Zealand poetry in a reading and discussion chaired by poet and novelist Anna Smaill.
14 AUGUST
Hopeful Animals
In Tracy Farr’s new novel The Hope Fault, a weekend that unfolds in real time bookends 100 years which include events from the ‘real’ world. Damien Wilkins’ Lifting takes place in the weeks leading up to the close of a Wellington department store and has been described as ‘an intense exploration of the moment when the solid ground of a life is taken away’. Pip Adam’s The New Animals walks the streets of Auckland city now, examining the fashion scene. All three novels weave real and imagined events together, offering new ways to understand the present moment. Join novelist and short story writer William Brandt in a discussion with these writers about their work and why the novel continues to provide a vital lens on contemporary life.
21 AUGUST
Best New Zealand Poems 2016
Best New Zealand Poems is published annually by Victoria University’s International Institute of Modern Letters. Get ready for Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day (on 25 August) by coming along to hear thirteen of the best read work chosen by Best New Zealand Poems 2016 editor Jenny Bornholdt – and be sure to visit www.bestnewzealandpoems.co.nz to view the full selection. Poets Nick Ascroft, James Brown, John Dennison, Adrienne Jansen, Bill Manhire, Bill Nelson, Claire Orchard, Kerrin P. Sharpe, Oscar Upperton, Marty Smith, Tim Upperton, Airini Beautrais and Ashleigh Young are introduced by Jenny Bornholdt.
28 AUGUST
The Fuse Box
The Fuse Box is a brand new collection of essays and interviews with some of our best writers that aims to shine fresh light on the creative process. This event assembles some of the book’s contributors to explore issues relevant to all stages of the writing life: how to get started and what to write about, how to keep the flow going over time, freedom and constraint, how your writing might meet the world, and how to make the most of accidents. Playwright Gary Henderson, novelists Rajorshi Chakraborti and Elizabeth Knox, and poet James Brown join editors Chris Price and Emily Perkins to celebrate the launch of The Fuse Box.
4 SEPTEMBER
Victor Rodger and Friends
We are thrilled to have acclaimed playwright Victor Rodger as the Victoria University/Creative New Zealand Writer in Residence for 2017. Victor has assembled a panel of writers to explore how the work of others can inspire and challenge. Join Mitch Tawhi Thomas, Moana Ete, Jamie McCaskill and Faith Wilson in this conversation about creative communities.
11 SEPTEMBER
The Next Page 1
A wonderful opportunity to hear a fresh mix of poetry and prose by the current cohort of writers in the Master of Arts in Creative Writing Programme at Victoria University’s International Institute of Modern Letters. Maria Samuela, Rebecca Reader, Anthony Lapwood, Jacqueline Jenkins, Linda Collins, Mia Gaudin, Essa Ranapiri, Frank Sinclair, Tayi Tibble and Kirsten Griffiths are introduced by Emily Perkins.
18 SEPTEMBER
The Next Page 2
Part Two of the popular Next Page sessions features readings from Rebecca Priestley, Nicole Colmar, Sarah Scott, Antonia Bale, Claire O’Loughlin, Lynne Robertson, Sudha Rao, Sharon Lam, Sam Duckor-Jones and Clare Moleta. Introduced by Chris Price.
25 SEPTEMBER
Short Sharp Script 1: Circa Theatre
Actors perform dynamic new work by MA scriptwriting students from the IIML: Courtney Brown, Kate Burney, Madeline Bush, Lindsay Christopherson and
Fleur Cogle. Introduced by Ken Duncum.
2 OCTOBER
Short Sharp Script 2: Circa Theatre
More exciting work in progress from the second group of IIML scriptwriters, at Circa Theatre. This week: Ricky Dey, Ricardo Giraldo, Sarah Harpur, Sarita So and Jonathan Watt. Introduced by Ken Duncum.
Events run from 12.15-1.15pm, Te Papa Marae, Level 4, Te Papa
with the exception of the opening concert at Meow and the two Short Sharp Script events at Circa Theatre. See programme for details.
ADMISSION IS FREE, ALL WELCOME
Riddling music of Manhire and Meehan launches Writers on Mondays
Writers on Mondays 2017, hosted by Victoria University of Wellington’s International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML), brings together a line-up of new and established talent to showcase what’s happening in the world of New Zealand writing and beyond.
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To launch the 2017 programme the IIML is presenting the first free Wellington performance of Tell Me My Name, Bill Manhire’s sequence of thirteen riddle poems set to music by composer Norman Meehan and performed by vocalist Hannah Griffin and Victoria New Zealand School of Music violinist and lecturer Martin Riseley. The concert takes place at 5.30pm, Tuesday 11 July at Meow, 9 Edward Street.
The popular lunchtime series at Te Papa Tongarewa begins on 17 July and the first three weeks feature award-winning authors from America, Australia and New Zealand.
It kicks off with Catherine Chidgey, winner of the $50,000 Acorn Fiction Prize at the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, in conversation about her prize-winning book The Wish Child and her writing career to date.
On 24 July, 2016 Stella Prize winner Charlotte Wood, one of Australia’s “most original and provocative writers” (The Australian) appears with New Zealand novelist and convenor of the IIML Master of Arts fiction stream Emily Perkins.
On 31 July, American poet and essayist Marianne Boruch joins the IIML’s poetry and creative nonfiction convenor Chris Price to explore how her work approaches the big topics of love, death and human knowledge. Marianne Boruch’s restless curiosity ranges across science, music, medicine and art, asking questions such as “why does the self grow smaller as the poem grows enormous?”.
Director of the IIML Professor Damien Wilkins says the combination of new voices and established writers in Writers on Mondays is wonderful.
“This free series is a great way for readers and writers to get together for entertaining, informative, uplifting, even perplexing sessions of talk and performance.”
On 7 August poet and novelist Anna Smaill introduces a quartet of poets with exciting new books. Featuring work from the cutting edge of NZ poetry with Louise Wallace (Bad Things), Hannah Mettner (Fully Clothed and So Forgetful), Maria McMillan (The Ski Flier) and Airini Beautrais (Flow).
In Hopeful Animals, 14 August, Damien Wilkins, Tracey Farr and Pip Adam discuss and read from their recent novels, and consider how fiction continues to provide a vital lens on contemporary life.
Writers on Mondays will acknowledge National Poetry Day with the annual Best New Zealand Poems reading on 21 August. Best New Zealand Poems 2016 editor and Arts Foundation Laureate Jenny Bornholdt introduces this lively session featuring 13 poets at the top of their game.
On 28 August The Fuse Box gathers some of our best writers to shine a light on the creative process. Playwright Gary Henderson, novelists Rajorshi Chakraborti and Elizabeth Knox, and poet James Brown join editors Chris Price and Emily Perkins to take a look at the wiring of creative writers and celebrate the launch of this collection of essays on creativity from Victoria University Press.
Acclaimed playwright Victor Rodger, the Victoria University/Creative New Zealand Writer in Residence for 2017, has assembled a panel of writers to explore how the work of others can inspire and challenge. Mitch Tawhi Thomas, Moana Ete, Jamie McCaskill and Faith Wilson discuss the dynamics of creative communities on 4 September.
The final month of events showcases work from the current cohort of writers in the Masters in Creative Writing Programme at the IIML. It begins with fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction writers in The Next Page, 11 and 18 September, then moves to Circa Theatre for Short Sharp Script, 25 September and 2 October, where actors perform dynamic new work by participants in the Master of Arts scriptwriting workshop.
The Writers on Mondays series runs from 17 July to 2 October, 12.15–1.15pm, Te Marae, Level 4, Te Papa Tongarewa, with the exception of the opening concert at Meow and the two Short Sharp Script events at Circa Theatre. Admission is free and all are welcome.
The full 2017 Writers on Mondays programme is can be viewed and downloaded from the IIML’s website.
Writers on Mondays is presented by Victoria University’s International Institute of Modern Letters with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and additional support from Circa Theatre and National Poetry Day.
For more information contact Pip Adam on pip.adam@vuw.ac.nz or modernletters@vuw.ac.nz.
2017 NEW VOICES – Emerging Poets Competition is NOW OPEN for entries.
Background details and entry forms are available
This year’s judge will be poet, writer Dr Maris O’Rourke.
Closing Date : August 1st.
The competition is open to current or former undergraduate (BA, Hons, BSc, BComm etc) or Masters student attending The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology and Massey University (Albany Campus, Auckland only)
The winners will be announced at the Divine Muses Reading held on National Poetry Day, Friday August 25th at the St Paul Street Gallery, AUT.
Details here
Three NZ writers to appear at prestigious Edinburgh literary festival – including two poets
New Zealand writers making waves at home and abroad will present their work and participate in the prestigious Edinburgh International Book Festival in August.
A new partnership between the festival, WORD Christchurch and Creative New Zealand has resulted in the talented line-up of New Zealand writers, all with acclaimed books, set to make an impression at the renowned literary event.
The writers are award-winning and wildly popular Wellington poet Hera Lindsay Bird, critically acclaimed Auckland poet, playwright and fiction writer Courtenay Sina Meredith, and best-selling Wellington novelist, comic artist and blogger Sarah Laing. They will be accompanied by Rachael King, author and programme director of WORD Christchurch, who has worked with the festival to select the writers and curate their events.
Participation in the festival is part of the New Zealand at Edinburgh 2017 season which sees the return of a New Zealand season across the various Edinburgh festivals taking place in August. This follows an ambitious and successful presentation in 2014.
With the theme of Brave New Words, this year’s book festival programme features more than 1000 authors from 45 countries.
Hera Lindsay Bird will appear with recent Ted Hughes prize-winner Hollie McNish in Poetry Superstars, and perform in a late night spoken word showcase. Courtney Sina Meredith will join a 21st Century Women panel, curated by guest selectors Roxane Gay and Jackie Kay. Meredith will also appear alongside Scottish poet and musician MacGillivray in Reshuffling the Pack. Sarah Laing will host a reading workshop of Katherine Mansfield stories, as well as talk about her book Mansfield & Me alongside English comic creator Hannah Berry in Graphic Novels of Influential Women. Rachael King will also appear in the children’s programme.
“We are thrilled that the relationships developed during previous seasons have resulted in this new partnership. It will expose the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s audiences to new and talented voices from Aotearoa and provide a dynamic international networking opportunity for the writers,” said Creative New Zealand senior manager for international, Cath Cardiff.
The festival expressed an interest in working with a local partner to bring New Zealand authors to its programme. This worked well with WORD Christchurch’s aspirations to engage more with international partners and to promote New Zealand literature overseas.
“We are delighted to be working with WORD Christchurch this year and we are very much looking forward to welcoming some of New Zealand’s wonderful writers to the book festival in August,” said Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Nicky Barley.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Edinburgh International Book Festival on programming New Zealand writers into some fantastic events that will showcase their talents and ensure maximum exposure for their work,” said Rachael King.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival began in 1983 and is now a key event in the August festival season. It has grown rapidly in size and scope to become the largest and most dynamic festival of its kind in the world. In its first year the book festival hosted 30 events, now it programmes more than 800 events attracting around 220,000 visitors.
To support the writers to attend the festival Creative New Zealand has provided $20,000 towards airfares, accommodation and administration costs.
Biographies:
Hera Lindsay Bird has an MA in poetry from the International Institute of Modern Letters in Wellington where she won the 2011 Adam Prize for best folio. Her debut, self-titled book of poetry HERA LINDSAY BIRD was published in July 2016 by Victoria University Press (VUP). It has become the fastest selling, most popular book of poetry the VUP has ever published, and won Best First Book of Poetry at the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
Courtney Sina Meredith is a poet, playwright, fiction writer and musician. Her play Rushing Dolls (2010) won a number of awards and was published by Playmarket in 2012. She launched her first published book of poetry, Brown Girls in Bright Red Lipstick (Beatnik), at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair, and has since published a short story collection, Tail of the Taniwha (2016) to critical acclaim. She has been selected for a number of international writers’ residencies. Meredith describes her writing as an “ongoing discussion of contemporary urban life with an underlying Pacific politique”. She is of Samoan, Mangaian and Irish descent.
Sarah Laing is the author of two novels, Dead People’s Music and Fall of Light, and a short story collection, Coming Up Roses. With a background in illustration and design, she runs the popular comic blog Let Me Be Frank, which she started when she held the Frank Sargeson Fellowship in 2008. She has contributed comics to magazines, illustrated children’s books, and co-edited Three Words: An Anthology of Aotearoa/NZ Women’s Comics. Her latest book, Mansfield & Me, is a graphic biography and memoir, which compares the life of New Zealand’s most famous writer Katherine Mansfield, to Sarah’s own life of creativity, insecurity and celebrity obsession.
Rachael King has been the programme director of WORD Christchurch since 2013. She is the author of two books for adults, The Sound of Butterflies (winner of Best First Novel at the Montana New Zealand Book Awards) and Magpie Hall (long-listed for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award), and one for children, Red Rocks, which won New Zealand’s longest-running literary award, the Esther Glen Medal. Her work has been translated into eight languages and has garnered critical praise worldwide.
For more information contact:
Helen Isbister
Communications Manager
04 473 0187
helen.isbister@creativenz.govt
NZ Poetry Shelf 