NorthWrite 2019: Expanding Horizons

Conference Overview

NorthWrite 2019 will be held at Barge Showgrounds Events Centre, Whangarei. It will open with a mihi and meet-and-greet event on Friday 30 August. The conference will take place on Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September.

Initial registrations are for the full conference only. Day tickets will become available from 1 August. If places are still available for individual sessions towards the end of August, we will announce this shortly before registrations close.

Tickets for the conference dinner on the Saturday evening are discounted if purchased with a full conference ticket. They can be also purchased separately at the full price.

NorthWrite 2019 has been organised into parallel streams, designed to reflect the interests of our writing community. Participants may choose to attend sessions within or across streams when they book for the conference. Presentations, other than masterclasses, are scheduled in 1.5 hour sessions. Masterclasses are 3 hours long, covered over 2 sessions.

NorthWrite 2019 streams

• Publishing – this stream focuses on information about publishing, with ebook publishing covered on Saturday and print publishing on Sunday.
• Writing techniques – this stream caters for a range of writers. There are sessions on writing for children, non-fiction, fiction writing and self-editing.
• Masterclasses – this stream is designed for experienced fiction writers, poets and editors. They have been planned to give experienced writers, poets and editors opportunities to engage in in-depth discussions about their craft. The masterclasses are restricted to a limited number of participants to ensure a high level of engagement.
• Conversations – this stream provides opportunities for participants to engage in informal discussions on a range of topics pertinent to writers.

Masterclasses

Masterclass 1: Editing. This masterclass is limited to 15 participants. It is open to qualified and experienced freelance or in-house editors. This masterclass will be presented by Simon Minto.

Masterclass 2: Novel. This masterclass is limited to 10–12 participants. It is open to writers who are currently working on a novel AND have at least three years of writing study (for example, a Bachelor in Creative Writing or a three-year diploma programme) OR a Masters in Creative Writing OR at least one completed book length work of fiction. Participants’ writing will be workshopped. Full instructions for submitting your sample of your novel will be sent when you book. This masterclass is presented by Catherine Chidgey.

Masterclass 3: Poetry. This masterclass is limited to 15 participants. It is open to writers currently working on poetry who have been published in at least one forum for poetry or short lyrical fiction (such as flash fiction). This masterclass is presented by Harry Ricketts.

Presenter bios are published on here.

Please read the full programme details prior to booking.

Full programme details

Tickets

All ticket prices include GST. Additional booking fees may apply at the time of registration. If you are registering as a student or NZSA member you must have your id number available when booking.

Get Tickets

Early Bird from 1 July

Student Conference only	$150
Student Conference plus dinner	$200
NZSA member Conference only	$175
NZSA member Conference plus dinner	$225
Non-member Conference only	$200
Non-member Conference plus dinner	$250
Dinner only	$ 75

Full Price from 1 August

Student Conference only	$175
Student Conference plus dinner	$225
NZSA member Conference only	$200
NZSA member Conference plus dinner	$250
Non-member Conference only	$220
Non-member Conference plus dinner	$270
Saturday day ticket	$150
Sunday day ticket	$130
Dinner only	$75

Please check this page for FAQ.

NorthWrite 2019 is presented with the support of Creative New Zealand.

Publishing Descriptors

Top 10 Publishing Trends (webinar)

10.30am Saturday 30 August
Jim Azevedo of Smashwords

Jim Azevedo of Smashwords discusses book publishing trends and contemporary issues transforming the future of authorship. You’ll learn how the playing field isn’t just level – it’s tilted to the indie (aka self-published) author’s advantage.  You’ll understand why the former stigma of being a self-published author is evaporating and being replaced with growing pride and professionalism. Delivered from the perspective of ebook self-publishing, this programme will provide writers with the knowledge to confront challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in book publishing today.

Pre-publication steps for publishing your ebook

1pm Saturday 30 August
Leeanna Morgan

Have you written the next Jack Reacher novel and don’t know what to do next? Leeanna Morgan will demystify the world of self-publishing and show you how to share your book with the world. In this workshop you will learn about formatting, branding, covers, metadata, and the importance of awesome front and back matter. This workshop is valuable for writers publishing their book in ebook and/or print formats.

Publication steps for publishing your ebook

3pm Saturday 30 August
Leeanna Morgan

In this workshop, Leeanna Morgan will show you how to create your author account and upload your ebook to online retailers. We will also discuss pre-orders, websites, newsletters, advertising, and social media marketing. This workshop is valuable for writers publishing their book in ebook and/or print formats.

Creating your print book using online print on demand (POD) services.

10am Sunday 1 September
Leeanna Morgan

If publishing your book in hardcover or paperback formats seems daunting, this is the workshop for you! Leeanna will guide you through the process of creating your book using Amazon’s POD service and discuss the differences between IngramSpark, Draft 2 Digital and other POD services. Topics covered include formatting, pricing, covers, distribution, and set-up costs.

Traditional Publishing: Getting through the door

11.30am Sunday 1 September
Eboni Waitere

Content to be confirmed.

Publishing Panel

2pm Sunday 1 September
Convened by Simon Minto

A panel discussion with representatives from Annual Ink, HUIA Publishers, One Tree House and Magpie Pulp, answering the questions you wish you’d thought to ask.

Publishing Presenters

The publishing stream focuses on information about publishing, with ebook publishing covered on Saturday and print publishing on Sunday.

Jim Azevedo

Jim Azevedo is the marketing director at Smashwords, the largest distributor of self-published ebooks. Since 2008, Smashwords has helped more than 140,000 authors, publishers and literary agents around the world release over 500,00 titles and distribute their work globally to top ebook retailers, subscription services and public libraries. Jim, a convert from Silicon Valley’s tech industry, brings a unique perspective to Smashwords’ indie ethos cultivated from his 17 years drumming, recording and touring with a local punk/metal/hard rock band.  Twitter:  @Smashwords or @jazzervedo. Jim will be joining us from San Diego via the powers of technology. He will present a webinar on current ebook trends.

Leeanna Morgan

Leeanna Morgan’s debut novel was published in 2014. Since then, she has published 32 contemporary romance novels and become a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys the creative and business side of writing and, as an indie-author, looks forward to growing an even more successful writing career. With more than $1 million dollars in sales, self-publishing has given Leeanna opportunities she never thought possible. Sharing what she has learned with other writers adds value to her life and makes her feel proud to be a New Zealand author. For more information visit: www.leeannamorgan.com Leeanna will present two sessions on preparing and uploading ebooks, as well as a session on print on demand. She will also present a session on plot in the writing techniques stream.

Eboni Waitere

Eboni Waitere’s iwi affiliations are Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne. She is the Executive Director at HUIA Publishers. HUIA strives to contribute to the awareness, education and understanding of Māori perspectives. Eboni will present a session on traditional publishing, as well as a conversation about cultural considerations in writing. She will also represent HUIA publishers on the publishing panel.

NorthWrite 2019: Expanding Horizons Conference Programme Release

NorthWrite 2019 will be held at Barge Showgrounds Events Centre, Whangarei. It will open with a mihi and meet-and-greet event on Friday 30 August. The conference will take place on Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September.

Initial registrations will be open only to those who register for the full conference. If places are still available for individual sessions towards the end of August, we will announce this shortly before registrations close.

Tickets for the conference dinner on the Saturday evening are discounted if purchased with a full conference ticket. They can be also purchased separately at the full price.

NorthWrite 2019 has been organised into parallel streams, designed to reflect the interests of our writing community. Participants may choose to attend sessions within or across streams when they book for the conference. Presentations, other than masterclasses, are scheduled in 1.5 hour sessions. Masterclasses are 3 hours long, covered over 2 sessions.

NorthWrite 2019 ProgrammeDownload

NorthWrite 2019 streams

• Publishing – this stream focuses on information about publishing, with ebook publishing covered on Saturday and print publishing on Sunday.
• Writing techniques – this stream caters for a range of writers. There are sessions on writing for children, non-fiction, fiction writing and self-editing.
• Masterclasses – this stream is designed for experienced fiction writers, poets and editors.
• Conversations – this stream provides opportunities for participants to engage in informal discussions on a range of topics pertinent to writers.

Masterclasses

NorthWrite’s masterclasses have been planned to give experienced writers, poets and editors opportunities to engage in in-depth discussions about their craft. The masterclasses are restricted to a limited number of participants to ensure a high level of engagement.

Masterclass 1: Editing. This masterclass is limited to 15 participants. It is open to qualified and experienced freelance or in-house editors. This masterclass will be presented by Simon Minto.

Masterclass 2: Novel. This masterclass is limited to 10–12 participants. It is open to writers who are currently working on a novel AND have at least three years of writing study (for example, a Bachelor in Creative Writing or a three-year diploma programme) OR a Masters in Creative Writing OR at least one completed book length work of fiction. Participants’ writing will be workshopped. On registration you must submit 1500 words of a novel in progress, which will be distributed to Catherine Chidgey and the other participants. These writing samples are to be read by all participants prior to the event. This masterclass is presented by Catherine Chidgey.

Masterclass 3: Poetry. This masterclass is limited to 15 participants. It is open to writers currently working on poetry who have been published in at least one forum for poetry or short lyrical fiction (such as flash fiction). This masterclass is presented by Harry Ricketts.

Tickets

Ticket sales will open at 5pm on 1 July. Details about how to book will be published by the end of June. All prices include GST. Additional booking fees may apply at the time of registration. Your NZSA membership number must be recorded when making your booking.

Early Bird from 1 July

Student Conference only	$150
Student Conference plus dinner	$200
NZSA member Conference only	$175
NZSA member Conference plus dinner	$225
Non-member Conference only	$200
Non-member Conference plus dinner	$250
Dinner only	$ 75

Full Price from 1 August

Student Conference only	$175
Student Conference plus dinner	$225
NZSA member Conference only	$200
NZSA member Conference plus dinner	$250
Non-member Conference only	$220
Non-member Conference plus dinner	$270
Dinner only	$75

Presenter bios are published on this page.

Please check this page for FAQ.

NorthWrite 2019 is presented with the support of Creative New Zealand.