Media Release
12 August 2008
Two Writers-in-Residence Selected
Michael King Writers’ Centre/Creative New Zealand
Writers-in-Residence
Two writers have been selected for residencies at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport, Auckland, over the next
five months.
One of the authors, Professor Richard Corballis from Palmerston North, will be researching and writing a major biography
of leading New Zealand playwright, Bruce Mason.
The second author, Sarah Laing from Auckland, will use her residency to complete her latest work, a novel which explores
aspects of New Zealand’s cultural identity.
The two residencies are each for six weeks, with a $6,000 stipend attached. The residencies are funded by the Michael
King Writers’ Centre and Creative New Zealand.
Professor Corballis, who is Professor of English in the School of English and Media Studies at Massey University, has a
written a number of books, numerous academic articles, reviews and two radio plays. He was been awarded a number of
prizes and distinctions for his work.
Sarah Laing, from Mt Albert, has written short stories, taken part in spoken word performances and been involved in a
number of literary festivals, including the 2008 Auckland Writers and Readers Festival. She won the Sunday Star Times
short story competition open division in 2006. Her short story collection Coming Up Roses was published to critical
acclaim last year, and the New Zealand Listener magazine described her as New Zealand’s next great short story writer.
Chairman of the Michael King Writers’ Centre, Bob Ross, said the selection panel was delighted with the number and high
calibre of the writers who had applied for the residencies. “Both of these are very exciting projects.”
Wellington poet, Chris Price, completed a six-month residency at the centre in July, in a joint project with Creative
New Zealand and The University of Auckland. The Michael King Writers’ Centre was recently awarded the New Zealand Trust
of the Year award for 2007 by the NZ Trustees Association.
ENDS