Young Writers' Programme

Michael King Young Writers' Programme 2013

 The Michael King Young Writers’ Programme, featuring leading tutors of creative writing and some of New Zealand’s top writing talent, will be available to Auckland schools again in 2013. Students accepted for the programme will have the opportunity to submit work for Signals, the new literary journal for young writers which was  launched in December.

The programme is for Year 11 to 13 students.

There will be three one-day workshops, one for students from the North Shore and North Auckland area, one for students from central schools and one in South Auckland. Each one-day workshop will be limited to 25 students. 

There will also be a series of master classes on specific aspects of writing during the year. These will be held at the Michael King Writers' Centre and will be limited to 15 students.

The workshops and master classes will give students exposure to some of New Zealand's best writing talent and two leading tutors of creative writing. 

Nominations are now being invited for the North and North Shore one-day workshop, which will be held at the National Library in Parnell on Friday March 22. 

The workshop will involve writing exercises and discussion with tutors Rosalind Ali and Johanna Emeney, with guest writers Albert Wendt and Grace Taylor. 

Students who are interested in applying should approach the Head of English in their school or email youngwriters@writerscentre.org.nz.. The closing date for nominations is February 28.

The Young Writers' Programme, funded by Creative New Zealand, was offered for the first time in 2012. More than 55 students took part in workshops in north, central and south Auckland, where they worked with award-winning writers including Emily Perkins, Paula Morris, Sue Orr, Sarah Laing and Robert Sullivan, and tutors Rosalind Ali and Johanna Emeney.

The Michael King Writers’ Centre ran young writers’ workshops in Devonport for several years before extending the programme across Auckland. The initative was developed by the late Dame Christine Cole Catley. Several students who took part have gone on to have considerable success with their writing.

The programme is designed for senior students (Years 11 to 13) who show promise in creative writing, and who would enjoy the chance to explore the creative process, experiment with a range of subjects, stimuli and writing styles, and learn more about publishing opportunities.

Students will have the opportunity to submit their work for publication in the 2013 issue of Signals.

Students must be nominated by their school. Each school may nominate one student and one or two reserve students. 

Each one-day workshop will be limited to 25 students. Workshops will be held in March (North Shore), April (central Auckland) and May (south Auckland). The three-hour master classes will be restricted to 15 students and will be held throughout the year at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport.