RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP 2010

Truth Lies Somewhere
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir

Vaughan Park Retreat Centre: 23- 25 October 2010

Since 2007, the Michael King Writers' Centre has offered a series of workshops for emerging writers of all ages at its restored Signalman’s House in Devonport. In 2009, with the generous assistance of an Auckland Regional Services grant from North Shore City, the Centre organised the first of an annual series of symposium style Residential Workshops. These are limited to 20 emerging and mid-career writers and cover different forms of writing. The 2009 Residential Workshop, Shifting Sands: Changing Perspectives in History and Biography reflected Michael King’s major interests.

The 2010 Residential Workshop takes a more intensive look at biography with Truth Lies Somewhere: Biography, Autobiography, Memoir. Sessions will focus on literary, historical and collective biography, Maori approaches to history and biography, memoir vs autobiography, creative non-fiction, research and publishing. Speakers may discuss, among other things, the inspiration, dedication and organisation it takes to complete and publish major work, and also their experiences in research, writing, book structure and publishing.

Over three days and two nights, participants will have opportunities to discuss issues with speakers and publishers and to report on their current projects. Writers will gain much from the interaction and intensity of a long weekend retreat in the company of colleagues and respected professionals and Vaughan Park offers the ideal setting for such in-depth discussions.

The Venue

The atmosphere will be relaxed, informal and designed to enable maximum enjoyment of the location. The Long Bay Regional Park has a superb beach and a cliff-top walk with extensive views over the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. The Vaughan Park Retreat Centre overlooks the beach and offers a variety of lounges and meeting rooms and has a restaurant extending onto a large deck. Living accommodation consists of a series of houses, each with a central lounge opening onto a garden courtyard, two bathrooms and six individual rooms with bed, desk, hand basin and wardrobe.

Go to www.vaughanpark.org.nz for more about the venue.

Programme and Speakers

Confirmed speakers and Chairs to date are Fiona Kidman, Philip Temple, C.K. Stead, Rachel Barrowman, Gordon McLauchlan, Diane Brown, Charles Royal, Deborah Shepard, Paul Diamond, Paul Millar, Peter Simpson, Liz Allen, Geoff Chapple, Bradford Haami and publishers Sam Elworthy, Lorain Day, David Ling and Bob Ross.

In tune with the collegial nature of the residential workshop, some speakers also act as Chairs, and most speakers stay on for meals and attend another session or two. The programme will also include time for attending writers to discuss the challenges of their own particular projects - formally, though briefly, on the first night, and informally during the longer breaks intended for this purpose.

Go to   Residential Workshop Programme 2010  for a detailed programme

Go to   Residential Workshop Speakers 2010   for biographies/photos of the speakers and Chairs.

Cost

The Auckland Regional Services fund administered by North Shore City has provided support for the planning and administration of the Residential Workshop. This support has enabled the Trust to limit the cost of the workshop to $440.00 plus GST, which includes accommodation for two nights and all meals.

How to apply

The workshop is limited to 20 applicants. Writers applying to attend the workshop should have some publishing record. It is envisaged that, as well as writers who have already published work in biography, memoir or autobiography, applicants may include experienced writers from other fields who have recently started writing in the genre and those who have published articles or chapters and may be preparing a book based on their thesis or research.

Applications should be made to the address below by 18 July 2010 and include a writing CV. Registration forms will be sent to those accepted by 1 August 2010. Payment is due following acceptance.

Go to   Residential Workshop Application 2010   to download, print and complete the application form.

Please send the application form and your writing CV to the address below, or scan and email to workshop@writerscentre.org.nz

Enquiries should be addressed to:
Kitty Wishart
Residential Workshop
Michael King Writers' Centre
PO Box 32-629, Devonport
North Shore City 0744
or
Phone (09) 378-8826
Email: workshop@writerscentre.org.nz