Media Releases
07 April 2010 – The University of Auckland/Creative New Zealand Writer-in-Residence 2010
William (Bill) Direen, a writer and well-known figure in New Zealand music circles, has been selected for a six-month residency at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport from July this year.Originally from Christchurch, Direen is currently living in Paris and has previously spent several years in Berlin. He is best known as a poet and musician, but he has also written theatre scripts, lyrics, stories, essays, short and long fiction. He has published extensively across all of these genres. His longer works have been experimental and are often trans-generic (making use of poetry, fiction, history, autobiography, mythology and monologue).
In 2006, Direen launched the annual international literary magazine Percutio, which is dedicated to aspects of the creative process and to works that bridge cultures.
While he is in Auckland he plans to work on a new trans-generic novel about an “expatriated” New Zealander who embarks on a journey from London back to New Zealand. It is the reverse of the journey of a character in his 2008 novel Enclosures.
The residency is a partnership between The University of Auckland, Creative New Zealand and the Michael King Writers’ Centre. It aims to foster New Zealand writing by providing an opportunity for an established author to work full-time on a major project in an academic environment. The residency comes with a $30,000 stipend, together with free accommodation and a studio working space at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport, Auckland.
More Releases
19 August 2010 – Residency programme for 2011 announced
20 July 2010 – A Million Poems at the Library - National Poetry Day, 30 July 2010
20 June 2010 – Residential Workshop, October 2010
14 June 2010 – Matariki sparks an innovative community poetry project
14 June 2010 – A Million Poems for Matariki: Devonport
14 June 2010 – A Million Poems for Matariki: Otahuhu
14 June 2010 – A Million Poems for Matariki: The University of Auckland
09 June 2010 – Michael King Writers' Centre Residential Workshop 2010
07 April 2010 – The University of Auckland/Creative New Zealand Writer-in-Residence 2010
26 March 2010 – New Chairman for Michael King Writers' Studio Trust
17 March 2010 – Whale traditions explored
2009
11 December 2009 – First Maori writer's residency announced: calling for applications for 2010
10 December 2009 – Calling for applications for six-month residency in 2010
28 October 2009 – Top writers selected for residencies
29 September 2009 – Heritage Week events
18 August 2009 – Applications are now open for two short residencies in early 2010
18 August 2009 – Call for applications for two short residencies in 2010
18 August 2009 – Short residencies 2010 - How to Apply
25 June 2009 – New writer-in-residence selected
18 June 2009 – Hometown celebration for Poet Laureate
10 June 2009 – A Million Poems for Matariki
03 June 2009 – Jam Radio features Michael King Writers' Centre authors
19 May 2009 – Residency opportunity confirmed for 2009
06 May 2009 – New residency opportunity coming up in 2009
06 March 2009 – Hill Standing Above - speech by Bob Ross at launch of history booklet
06 March 2009 – Hill Standing Above - history booklet launched
06 January 2009 – Two Writers-in-Residence Selected