A spiring and experienced writers have the chance to spend a few days learning and working with some of the best in the business.
Planned for the three days of King’s Birthday Weekend on 1-3 June, Come Together – being held at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre – features a series of workshops and presentations from award-winning authors, poets and publishers which aim to encourage others with their writing, whether it’s poetry, fiction, non-fiction or fantasy.
Saturday morning, award-winning poet, writer and senior lecturer in creative writing, Siobhan Harvey, presents “Character Traits”, a workshop which will have participants thinking deeply about character and learning different ways to bring them to life on the page.
In the afternoon, writer/publisher Ann Neville and Tina Shaw – editor of the Bateman New Zealand Writer’s Handbook – will discuss the publishing process, along with the differences between independent and mainstream publishing, before two hours dedicated to writing in “The Writing Room”. This will be followed by drinks and nibbles with workshop attendees and presenters, and a short film.
Sunday morning, Ann and Tina work through the process of preparing your submission for publication, including manuscript assessment, outlines, query letters, elevator pitch, hook, submission guidelines and synopses.
At 11am, award-winning writer Tracey Slaughter hosts “Exploding Photograph: A workshop in ekphrastic flash”, where participants will focus on producing flash work inspired by an image, generating vivid and atmospheric lines using the sensory cues seen in a photograph.
After lunch, at 2pm, Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa) presents “No te hā ki te maramatanga – The Whakapapa of Story: From essence to understanding”, which promises to be a personal reflection on the origin and place of story and its importance as a foundation stone of our own humanity.
More time is set aside for writing on Sunday afternoon, or – weather depending – an afternoon kayaking on the Raglan Harbour (for an additional cost), before wine and nibbles at The Wharf Restaurant from 6pm, where participants are encouraged to share their work.
King’s Birthday Monday offers “The Writing Room” again from 9.30am-1pm.
The workshops have a limit of 25 participants, so book early!
The costs for each day (except Monday) is $80 for one day, or $140 for both days, with concessions available ($60/day or $120/weekend) for members of the Raglan Community Arts Council.
Tickets available https://creativeraglan.co.nz/ or to find out more www.raglanartscentre.co.nz
‘Come Together’ is part of the Whāingaroa Raglan Writers World program which also includes our gallery bookstore showcasing books from local authors open daily from May 28-June 3 from 10am-2pm. Also, included in the program is our monthly Old School Readers Club, where all readers are welcome to join for a chance to share views in a relaxed friendly daytime get together Friday 31st May 10.30am – 12.30pm. Bring along your choice of books or use the general theme for May which is ‘NZ Writers’
The Whāingaroa Raglan Writers World program is a Raglan Community Arts Council event.
