Margaret Mahy is New Zealand’s most celebrated children’s writer. She wrote over 100 books, published in 15 different languages, and continues to be read around the world. In May 2000, Alison Gray interviewed Margaret for the New Zealand Society of Authors Oral History Project.

NZ Society of Authors

Margaret Mahy

As a poet, essayist, biographer and editor, Brian Turner has become one of New Zealand's most significant writers on landscape, the environment and sport. In this episode, Brian and Naomi Arnold have a wide-ranging discussion about Brian's writing, environmental activism, sports connections and work in publishing.

Brian Turner

Season 4 of the NZSA Oral History podcast continues in a second episode with Barbara Else, from her 2020 oral history interview with Naomi Arnold. In this episode you can hear Barbara and Naomi discuss NZSA, copyright, author incomes, and much more about not just writing books, but also the business of books.

Barbara Else Part 2

Dunedin-based Barbara Else is a successful New Zealand author who has also run one of Aotearoa’s oldest literary agencies, TFS. She has held fellowships and scholarships throughout her career, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and was awarded the Margaret Mahy Medal, both in recognition of her services to literature. In part 1 of her interview, Barbara talks with Naomi Arnold about finding her gift for humour during the writing of her first plays, developing as a writer, the success of her first novel The Warrior Queen and the opportunities which followed.

Barbara Else Part 1

Philip Temple is an award-winning author of ten novels and more than thirty non-fiction books for both adults and children. He has held many of our top residencies, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Literature, and been the recipient of a Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement. He has also been a campaigner on behalf of writers in Aotearoa for many years. In this episode, Philip talks with Deborah Shepard about his life and work over half a century as a writer in Aotearoa.

Philip Temple

This episode is part 2 of Naomi Arnold's 2020 oral history interview with Kyle Mewburn. Naomi and Kyle talk about the issues authors face, both on and off the page, and Kyle's time as NZSA president: "I was known for being flippant, because I am flippant, how very observant of these people to notice!". An open look at the life of a NZ writer and author advocate.

Kyle Mewburn Part 2

Kyle Mewburn is one of New Zealand's most prolific and eclectic writers. Kyle became a full-time writer in 1997 and was President of NZSA for four years, she is dedicated to the welfare of writers across Aotearoa. Kyle talked with Naomi Arnold in 2020, and begins season 4 of the NZSA Oral History Podcast.

Kyle Mewburn Part 1

Season 4 of the NZSA Oral History Podcast is coming soon!

Season 4 Promo

This podcast was recorded at the 2020 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture, given by the NZSA President of Honour 2020-2021, Paula Morris. The prestigious position of NZSA President of Honour is bestowed on a senior writer and long-serving member in recognition of their contribution to writing and writers and the literary arts sector in Aotearoa. Paula Morris holds senior roles across the book industry and is generous in her mentoring and support for writers. She champions diverse voices and has many mentoring roles across groups of emerging and developing writers.

NZSA Live! Paula Morris, 2020 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture

Owen Marshall is a celebrated New Zealand writer. Often referred to as one of this country's best short-story writers, Owen is also a novelist and poet. He has been awarded many of the top literary fellowships and honours available to New Zealand writers and was the New Zealand Society of Authors President of Honour in 2007-2008. Owen spoke with Deborah Shepard in 2015 in our last episode of Season 3.

Owen Marshall

In our last episode, author Chris Else talked to Deborah Shepard about his many years of active service for the New Zealand Society of Authors. During those years Chris was also writing and working as a literary agent. His writing life is the focus of this episode.

Chris Else Part 2

Chris Else is a New Zealand author and literary agent. Along with his own writing, and promoting the writing of others, Chris has dedicated much of his life to advocacy work on behalf of New Zealand authors. In the first of two podcasts with Chris, he talks to Deborah Shepard about his long involvement with NZSA.

Chris Else Part 1

New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a discussion on writing sex and romance with Catherine Robertson, Lani Wendt Young and Steff Green. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

Getting Hot and Bothered panel discussion

New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a discussion on making it in the international market with Paula Morris, David Ling and Tracy Farr. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

Making it in the international market

Dame Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s most loved and recognised authors, having published over six hundred titles for children and adults. In her own quiet way Joy has been a longtime NZSA member, and a supporter of authors in Aotearoa. This discussion with Deborah Shepard is a must for anyone interested in children's writing and reading.

Joy Cowley

Listen to the New Zealand Society of Authors Oral History Podcast, hosted by Karyn Hay and including author interviews collected over 30 years. Also find our new podcast, NZSA Live! Featuring audio recorded at NZSA events.

hubhopper

NZ Society of Authors

hubhopper