Non-Fiction Workshop at Te Matariki Clendon.

Our last workshop in the 2008 WIML Series will take place at Te Matariki Clendon Library (Ph 269 0500). Writer Paul Smith will lead an interactive workshop focusing on a beginners guide to being a freelance writer.

Spaces are limited and bookings are essential, please call Te Matariki to confirm your place.

About Paul:

Paul Smith served on the Board of TVNZ for four years from 2000 to 2004 and was chairman of the Board's Policy Committee, which helped introduce the Charter. He is currently in his third year on the Board of New Zealand on Air, where he is chairman of a documentary committee.

Paul was a journalist for nearly 40 years for leading dailies in New Zealand and overseas, starting on the Auckland Star in 1964. Years later he became the PR manager for the fledgling TV2, and in that time wrote a radio play and some short stories before returning to journalism where he won awards, including the Wolfson Press Fellowship which took him to Cambridge.
He returned to New Zealand in 1988 as a freelancer and specialised in media.

He started the NBR's media column and wrote it for the next 12 years. During that time he also authored six non-fiction books, ranging from Twist and Shout - New Zealand in the Sixties, to Success in New Zealand Business and Our People Our Century, a social history of the 20th century (with Louise Callan).

Paul has taught non-fiction at Auckland University's summer school for 15 years, as well as being a non-fiction mentor both privately and for the Society.

He has judged local and international media awards and, before becoming a director, was a frequent media commentator on radio and television. He founded the group Press for Freedom which successfully pushed for libel law reform. Late last year he launched kiwiboomers.co.nz, a website written "by boomers for boomers".

Paul has recently been elected as the President for the NZ Society of Authors.

Let's hear it for Christine Hurst!

It's celebration time again as another Writer in Manukau participant, (shall we call them alumni?!), launches her new publication.


Christine Hurst will be launching her book "The boy who bounced around Aotearoa" on Sunday, June 29th at Botany Library.

Congrats from the WIML group Christine, it's great to see another of our 'alumni' in print. Here's to storytimes at Manukau Libraries featuring the new title!

Introduction to writing for the screen

Be sure to be at our next WIML event, for more details click on the poster above.

Telling your family stories - a how-to experience.

Interested in your family history? Want to share the story of your life? Our next event in the WIML series is the one for you.

Mercia Turner and Terry Carson are both members of the NZ Society of Authors Manukau Counties Writers' Group.

Both have recently self-published their family histories, Terry with his tale of his grandmother "Remembrance" and last year Mercia published her story: "So Many Memories - The Story of My Family in the Years between the Wars".

This will be a fun-filled and lively session featuring tips for those who want to tell their own family story. Join us on Wednesday 27th of June, 10:30 am, Mangere Bridge Library.

For details on how to get to the library, please follow the link.
http://www.manukau-libraries.govt.nz/whatsinourlibraries/mangerebridgelibrary/mangerebridge.htm

Congratulations to Dawn Grant!

Celebrate Writer in Manukau Libraries participant Dawn Grant's success!

Scholastic NZ Ltd & Takapuna Paper Plus invite you to the launch of Dawn Grant’s book 'In Too Deep'.

2 pm, 23 JUNE 2007

at Takapuna Paper Plus, 20 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna

Please RSVP, whether coming or not, to:
Email: takapuna@paperplus.co.nz
Telephone: (09) 486 7472

May - season for poems and songs.

May was an eventful month for Writer in Manukau Libraries.

Our first workshops of the 2008 programme were held, linking in with the theme of New Zealand Music Month WIML participants were able to attend a variety of songwriting workshops and an intense half-day poetry workshop.

The theme saw a varied audience attending with teenagers especially keen to learn the tips and tricks to telling their stories through song.

Marcus Powell from Blindspott shows the final composition.



Pakuranga Library hosted a songwriting workshop with Marcus Powell from successful NZ band Blindspott. This event was well attended, feedback has been great and we hope to see some of the songwriters signing up for mentoring for WIML 2008.

Korero - the writer speaks

The first event in this years Writer in Manukau Libraries series, Korero - the writer speaks, will take place at Te Matariki Clendon Library on Saturday 28th April, 2pm.

James will talk about his life and work including, his current term as the 2007 Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellow and his book, ‘Hummingbird’, which was short-listed for the Montana NZ book awards in 2004 as well as the Tasmania-Pacific Fiction prize in 2005.

This event is free and all are welcome, however seating is limited, to ensure your place please contact Te Matariki Clendon direct, ph 269 0500.