The 2016 Pride Writing Seminar

Are you a budding LGBTQA writer? Would you like to learn more about writing?

Whether you are a complete beginner or a published author, the 2016 Pride Writing

seminar will challenge you to improve your craft.

This free two-and-a-half-hour creative workshop will feature presentations and hands-

on writing exercises from author Lisa Williams, Brendaniel Weir, Lynn Roberts and

Michael Owen.

Novels, short stories, memoirs, blogs, fan-fiction, poetry, screen-plays, journalistic

writing; no matter what you like to write, this seminar is designed to get your creative

juices flowing.


Thanks to the generosity of the Waitemata Local Board, AUT, and

GABA. The first 10 people to register for the seminar will have the opportunity to

receive a one-on-one professional critique on a sample of their work.


This is an open event, so you can just turn up. The room will be open from 5.30pm, so

come early, make a coffee and have a chat.  However, if you are interested in a free

critique and feedback session, please pre-register by emailing Brendan Weir on

brendanielwere@gmail.com.

Date: Thursday 11th February

Time: 6pm - 8.30pm

Where:   Room WT-1211, AUT Tower, cnr Rutland & Queen Street.

* Free tea and coffee and light refreshments will be provided.


About our presenters:

Lisa Williams has been writing for 25 years. She has written in fiction and non-fiction

genres, including working as a free-lance journalist. In 2004 her manuscript Death on

a Cold Winter's Night was shortlisted for the Richard Webster Popular Fiction Award

and in 2003 her novel Drifting at the Bottom of the World was a finalist for the Violet

Quill Award.


Brendaniel Weir wrote and presented the music Edu-tainment series, The Keyboard

Teacher and has been on the writing team for various Kids-Tv series. In 2002, he

worked as the executive editor for Portal, the NZ magazine of speculative fiction and

in 2013 he won the School of Language and Culture Postgraduate Award for

academic achievement for his screenplay-novel, Tane's War. Since 2013, Brendaniel

has been teaching at AUT.


Lynn Roberts has thirty years experience as journalistic writer and editor, both in New

Zealand and in the United Kingdom. Most recently she was the Lifestyle editor for

New Idea magazine and she is currently writing a full-length stageplay.

Michael Owen is a poet who uses poetry and the written word as part of an holistic

approach to therapy. He has had a long career in the healing arts and is a qualified

Shen therapist.  Michael is currently working on compiling and editing a New

Zealand Rainbow-Poetry Anthology.

Review Revue 2016

Now in its third year Review Review is presented by Auckland Libraries and Alternative Bindings at the Central Library on Wednesday 10th February. 

An eclectic group of Rainbow reviewers will present a 7 minute speed review of LGBTIQFT focused, very broadly defined,‘literature'.

The evening will run from 5.30pm, with a start at 6 pm. There will be 7 or 8 reviewers,with Michael Giacon MC-ing and  and keeping very strict timing! 

“Wallace Arts Trust Prize” short fiction contest 2016

This year's winner of the Wallace Arts Trust Prize for best short story is Jade du Preez with "Lily of the Valley".  Jade du Preez is an artist, currently studying for a law degree with a view to a career in human rights. http://www.jadedupreez.com/

The runner up in the Wallace Arts Trust Prize for short fiction is Nod Ghosh with "seven Lesbians and a Bar of  Soap". Nod Ghosh is a medical laboratory scientist in Christchurch and has had stories accepted by in various NZ and international publications.. Nod's maxim: Writers are like humans, but they watch less television. http://www.nodghosh.com/

The competition provides a safe and supportive environment for both emerging and established writers to share their stories. Other than a set length of 750 words and a theme "A Kiwi Romance", there are no restrictions; entries might express the triumph and joy of alternate sexuality, or the pain and difficulty. They might be funny or sad, sweet or bitter, outrageous or introspective. 

With the support of The Wallace Foundation, GABA Trust and Gaynz.com, we are awarding  $600 cash and publication on Gaynz.com for the winning story and $300 cash for the runner up.

The Prizes will be presented during Same Same But Different, a LGBTQI literary festival taking place during Pride on 13 February 2016 at AUT.

Jade will read her winning piece join a panel at the session Now & Then - featuring well established writers and new voices.

Poetry Meet Pride 2016

Tuesday 9 February sees us return to the secret garden at Ley's Institute Library in St Mary's Bay. Share poetry with others of a LGBTQI bent in a safe and supportive space.

From 6.00 pm on Tuesday 9 February we meet together and share a teacup  of wine or juice. Then our maestro, Michael Giacon, will assist us in conjuring a spontaneous sharing of poetry and inspiration. A secure and nurturing space to share your poetry. See you there! BYO tea cup.