NZ’s national writer-residency organisation continues

10 August 2018

NZ’s national writer-residency organisation continues with an extended number of residencies in 2019

The Michael King Writers’ Centre provides a year-round programme of residencies at the historic Signalman’s House on Takarunga Mt Victoria in Devonport, Auckland. Residents receive accommodation, the use of a writing studio and a generous stipend.

The 2019 programme offers 15 residencies for periods of two to five weeks each. Four of the residencies are specifically for Maori or Pasifika writers. New in this year’s programme is a change to the University of Auckland Residency, now split into four time slots across the year to attract a wider range of established writers.
‘The traditional model of long-term residencies doesn’t work for many writers with family, community or job commitments,’ says trustee Paula Morris, Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and convenor of its Master in Creative Writing programme. ‘We’ve seen the success of our short-term residencies at the Michael King Writers’ Centre, and want to make sure the University residency reaches a similar diversity of writers.’
Two month-long ‘visiting writer’ residencies will be offered in each of the university semesters, to encourage interaction with students.

For application form and more details see: https://writerscentre.org.nz/residency-programme-applications/

WHY ARE WRITERS OFFERED THESE RESIDENCIES?
* The residency programme aims to support New Zealand writers and promote the development of high-quality New Zealand writing. Projects can be in a wide range of genres, including non-fiction, fiction, children and young adult, drama and poetry.
* The residencies are offered with the assistance of Creative New Zealand.

WHO CAN APPLY?
* Writers from all over New Zealand, including those who live in Auckland, are welcome to apply.
* The four residencies offered in partnership with the University of Auckland are for established authors with a substantial publishing record.
* The other residencies are open to emerging, mid-career or established writers.
* Writers who do not qualify for the supported residency programme are able to apply to be a visiting writer on a paying basis.

WHAT IS THE MICHAEL KING WRITERS’ CENTRE?
* Founded in 2005, the Centre was established to realise Michael King’s dream of having a residential retreat for New Zealand writers so that they would have time and money to work on a major project over an extended period.
* Fifty-two New Zealand writers have held residencies at the centre since 2005.
* The current writer in residence is Jacquie McCrae whose first novel, ‘The Scent of Apples,’ won a gold medal in the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards (the 'IPPYs') in New York. It was also selected by the International Youth Library in Munich and received a White Ravens label.
*Previous resident writers include Man Booker prize-winner Eleanor Catton, who wrote the final draft of her novel The Luminaries at the centre. Additionally, Sarah Laing, Vincent O’ Sullivan, Chris Price and Frankie McMillan were all longlisted for the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

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