It’s official – we are hosting a new program for the year ahead which will include workshops, seminars, writing events, books by local authors for sale and much more for all levels of writers, readers and anyone who shares the love of the writing world to become involved with.
Dates are 22 Feb – 1 March | 19-28 April | 30 May – 7 June | 17-27 August | 11 – 28 October | 11-22 November.
If you would like to be involved with the 2024 programme as a writer, sponsor or volunteer, contact Ann Neville annlneville@gmail.com or Jacqueline Event Coordinator jacqueline@raglanartscentre.co.nz.
October Programme – Raglan Old School Arts Centre
Grit and dreams, flash fiction and the world of publishing – workshops on offer for budding writers through to experienced authors wanting to sharpen their skills and learn more about publishing – a series of workshops presented over two days by a variety of talented keynote speakers. Proudly presented by the Raglan Community Arts Council with funding from Waikato District Creative Communities Scheme and Raglan Community Board.
Book online – workshop spaces are limited, so get in quick – creativeraglan.co.nz or visit the Old School weekdays, 10am-2pm.
Fri 11 Oct 5.30 – 7pm
Writing Workshop
$15
Grit & Dreams – a workshop with Tina Shaw. Her writing workshop will look at what it takes to build a fictional world, no matter what the genre. Tina will discuss how she created the world of Ursa and take you through a fun exercise to explore world-building for yourself.
Tina Shaw’s writing career covers a diverse range of age groups and genres. Her recent novel, Ephemera, is set on the Waikato River, a location Tina knows well from growing up outside Kirikiriroa. As Editor, her 7th Edition of the Bateman NZ Writer’s Handbook was published in 2023. Her novel manuscript A House Built on Sand won the 2023 Michael Gifkins Text Prize and has been published by Text Publishing. A member of NZAMA, Tina works as a manuscript assessor and Editor of the NZSA quarterly publication NZ Author and divides her time between Taupõ and Whāingaroa.
Sat 12 Oct 9am – 5.30pm
Whāingaroa Writers Day
$80 non-members/$60 RCAC members
All About Publishing with Ann Neville & Tina Shaw
A workshop about indie and mainstream publishing, the publishing process, and everything in between. A great chance to fine-tune your publishing ideas. Includes a free copy of The Children’s Pond by Tina Shaw.
Ann Neville is the director of the publishing company, CreateBooks, which specialises in Manuscript Assessment, Editing, Self-Publishing Preparation and Distribution, and Biographies. She is an accomplished facilitator and research writer in the education field and has a special interest in strategies that mitigate against all forms of violence.
(Tina’s details see Fri 11 workshop)
Character is the Key with Mandy Hager
Together everyone will workshop how to build a character-driven story that underpins theme, voice, setting and the story’s emotional heart.
Mandy Hager is a multi-award-winning author. In 2019 she received the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for lifetime achievement and a distinguished contribution to New Zealand’s literature for young people. For ten years she taught the novel-writing course for Whitireia. Mandy has been the recipient of several fellowships, residencies and prizes, including the Beatson Fellowship, the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship and the Waikato University Writer in Residence.
Flash Fiction Workshop with Anita Arlov
Readaloud and examine successful examples of flash in differing styles and genres; discover ways to make your writing zing, sparkle and snap; and start a piece of writing using all manner of prompts, including pictures and objects.
Anita Arlov is an award-winning writer and judge of flash fiction and poetry. She has staged Inside Out Open Mic for Writers, worked with a small team to host Writers Lounge in the Auckland Art Gallery, and was the 2019 Auckland Chair for NZ National Flash Fiction Day. Anita’s writing has been published widely in New Zealand and overseas.
Whakapapa o te Kōrero: No te hā ki te maramatanga
The Whakapapa of Story: From essence to understanding with Ben Brown
A personal reflection on the origin and place of story and its importance to us as a foundation stone of our own humanity.
Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa) was born in 1962 in Motueka, which is further away from him now than he cares to think about. Ben has been writing all his life for his own enjoyment and published his first children’s book in 1991. An award-winning author who writes for children and adults across all genres, including poetry, which he also enjoys performing. Generally, if pressed, Ben will have something to say about anything. He was the inaugural NZ Reading Ambassador for Children – Te Awhi Rito. In 2024 Brown was appointed Te Kaipukahu University of Waikato Writer in Residence and now lives in Hamilton. He is also a father of two, which he considers his best work to date.
At the end of the day, from 5.30pm, enjoy wine and nibbles at The Wharf Restaurant while sharing writing excerpts from your weekend.
Friday 25 Oct
10.30am – 12.30pm
Readers Club
Koha entry
Old School Readers Club – As part of the program we are excited to include a book club in the schedule. The Old School Readers Club is open to anyone who wants to share the joy of reading with others.
Tuesday 29 Oct 7pm
Writers Group
Koha entry
Are you interested in joining a writing critique group? This can be a fantastic way to improve your writing skills and receive valuable feedback from fellow writers. Join Ann Neville on Tuesday 27 August at 7pm for this supportive and constructive group where we can learn from each other and grow in our craft.