Saturday 3 October
Keynote Presentation - Donovan Bixley
The good, the bad, the sublime and the ridiculous.
How do you turn real lives, environmental issues and historical events into stories young readers can’t put down? In this workshop, you’ll explore non-fiction writing across forms and genres – from clear expository writing to immersive creative non-fiction, including educational articles, non-fiction picture books, expository titles, and true stories told in novel style. You’ll learn practical techniques for shaping compelling narratives and get guidance on where to submit your work.
In this workshop, Zak Waipara (illustrator/comic artist/designer/lecturer) will provide insight into the process and design choices required to take script and narrative ideas and visualize them in storyboard form.12.15pm Lunch and Pitch Slams
1.15pm Panel Discussion
What Makes a Successful Book in Aotearoa?
Panel discussion chaired by Kate De Goldi with guests; Donovan Bixley, Claire Mabey, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White and Roger Christensen (Little Unity Bookstore)
An in-depth look at scansion, rhyme scheme, and metre in picture book writing, with helpful tips, general rules, and plenty of opportunity to practise! No prior experience required, but you are welcome to bring along a text you have been working on if you would like some feedback.
Welcome to the exciting world of graphic novels. Learn what makes an engaging graphic novel, how to turn your story into a script-ready text and what publishers are looking for in this hands-on workshop.
Roll up and join award winning illustrator Josh Morgan on a picturesque, meandering and sometimes bumpy journey through his illustration career and creative process. What valuable lessons has he learnt from his failures, successes and many illustresses? How can you make a car, couch or desk into an inspiring creative space for your picture making magic? How can a life of drawing in the back of exercise books help bring characters to life? Do you actually die if you miss a deadline and who do you see on the other side? Get behind-the-scenes tips and tricks to help bring meaning and intent to your visual storytelling.
Researching, digesting and simplifying vast amounts of sometimes complicated information can be time-consuming and challenging. In my workshop we will look at how I have gone about this process in various non-fiction publications over the recent decade. Part of my workshop will involve researching, planning and designing a double page spread for a large format non-fiction picture book for young readers.
Workshop details coming soon
Let’s talk comics! Li Chen will be taking us through the process of making a Detective Beans graphic novel, from coming up with ideas all the way through to completing a book. Li would like to note that this is absolutely not a definitive guide, but rather a look into how she likes to work: with tips, suggestions, and photos of her cats along the way. Come along if you’re interested in graphic novels – or if you just like cats!
5.15pm Publishers Panel
Publishers Panel chaired by Rosemary Tisdall featuring publishers Allen & Unwin NZ, Oratia Books, Scholastic NZ, and Penguin Random House NZ.
6.15pm Literary Banquet
Sunday 4 October
Keynote Presentation - Kate De Goldi, Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador
Doom or Dinner: Reading for our lives.
Description coming shortly
Up to 25 participants will submit their manuscript two weeks before the Hui, receive individual feedback and then attend a shared session to discuss, in general, common problems, how to revise and what steps to take next.
Join Graci as she guides you through her process for taking a seed of an idea and developing it into a full four-act outline for a middle grade novel, complete with a step-by-step framework for creating compelling main characters.
Can a bird smile with a beak that doesn’t bend? Can a worm look anxious when it doesn’t have a face? Learn how to create believable characters from any species by using observation, biology … and a bit of creative license.
Bring your sketchbook/paper and pen/pencil.
Though not for the faint of heart, taking the indie path puts an author firmly in control of their own destiny. The only deadlines are self-imposed, and the royalties are much, much higher. On the other hand, if it all goes wrong you might end up with thousands of unwanted books in your garage. James will demonstrate how to accentuate the positives of self-publishing, while mitigating the risks. He’ll talk about craft, building a team, PR and marketing.
During this workshop, participants will learn how to create and sustain suspense, with a focus on young adult fiction. Examples will be provided and discussed, and participants will be given exercises to hone their skills.
History teaches us valuable lessons – and often through the retelling of stories passed down by our predecessors. But how can we retell these stories in an authentic way, honouring past intent, while effectively communicating to a modern audience?
This demonstration will cover how author-illustrator Isobel Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu) works with pūrākau and pakiwaitara, using design and symbolism in her illustrations to enrich the context of a story.
While from a te ao Māori perspective, this class is open to anyone of any background who has an interest in working with their ancestral stories.
2.30pm Panel Discussion
The Art of Marketing
Panel discussion chaired by Allison Shucksmith with guests; James Russell, Graci Kim and Gemma Finlay.