Calling all writers of any kind! Novelists, journalists, poets, songwriters, illustrators and more—this is the festival for you. From 1 – 4 September, Dunedin will host the second annual New Zealand Young Writers Festival. It will feature 15 completely free events. If you’re stuck in Dunedin over the mid-semester break, or need to take a break from that assignment that’s plaguing your mind, the New Zealand Young Writers Festival has got you covered.
This is the only festival in the country specifically tailored for young writers. Based on the Australian National Young Writers Festival held in the city of Newcastle, Dunedin decided to put together a festival to celebrate the skills of young writers in New Zealand. The inaugural Festival was held last year to great success and the Festival only intends to grow this year.
The Festival is proud to welcome a selection of guests who are experts in different fields of writing from all around the country. Workshops, panel discussions and social events make up the bulk of this year’s Festival. Only a few highlights can be mentioned here! Online journalism website The Wireless will host four workshops—one on writing a high quality journalism story, the second on journalism careers, another on video and finally one on illustration with the creator of the acclaimed Pencilsword comic, Toby Morris.
Critic are proud to welcome back to Dunedin an ex-editor of the magazine and past Green MP Holly Walker, who joins a panel discussion on BWB texts, iconic New Zealand small books on big subjects. Local writer Eloise Callister-Baker chairs a panel on the ins and outs of the Official Information Act. Ex-local Hera Lindsay Bird and Auckland’s Gregory Kan are holding a poetry workshop. But never fear, there is more! We only have space to mention seven out of the 15 events here. A full programme is available on the festival website www.youngwritersfest.nz. Printed guides are available in select locations around the city. The Festival’s Facebook page is also an excellent place to keep up to date with the latest news. Registrations for workshops are limited so anyone interested in attending should email look@youngwritersfest.nz with the workshop title, their name and phone number.