Writing Works Aotearoa

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Maurice Gee (1931–2025) — one of Aotearoa’s most treasured literary voices.

Maurice was the inaugural Honoured New Zealand Writer at the Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki in 2012, where we had the immense privilege of celebrating his remarkable body of work.

Over more than six decades, his novels — including 'Plumb', 'Going West', 'In My Father’s Den', 'Live Bodies', 'Under the Mountain', 'The Halfmen of O', and 'The Fat Man' — helped shape the literary landscape of this country. With clarity, imagination, and compassion, he captured the quiet complexities of life in Aotearoa.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Maurice’s whānau, friends, and all who have been moved by his words. He leaves behind a towering legacy and stories that will endure.

WEDNESDAY WRITING WORKSHOPS with Stephanie Johnson.
Four sessions starting on 27th August and finishing on 17th September, 10am-noon.
These workshops are for writers who are keen to share and develop their writing, either from existing manuscript drafts or an idea.
Workshops will take place in Grey Lynn Auckland with a maximum of eight participants.
$290 incl. GST for the four sessions. Email [email protected] for further details.

'The three-day Writing Works workshop with Stephanie Johnson was just what I needed to reinvigorate my storytelling. Plenty of actual writing exercises, and it was so interesting hearing what the other participants devised.'
A happy response from one of the participants in the Writer's Tools workshop last week. Further workshops planned!

'The Writer's Tools' workshop in Auckland is a month away now. Whether you are novice writer or a writer who could do with a jump start or needs help dealing with block, this one is for you! I have refined this practical workshop over number of years and it's always fun. Message me here if you're keen.

This is happening at Garnet Station September 18th-20th. It will be fun! Message me on FB if interested and feel free to share!

September 19-20: THE WRITER'S TOOLS - A fun three-day practical writing workshop that promises not only challenge and improvement but lots of laughs! Message me here if interested.

Hello all! If you're interested, either message me here on FB or at email address below.

THE WRITER’S TOOLS

A THREE-DAY PRACTICAL WRITING WORKSHOP
WITH STEPHANIE JOHNSON
We will cover the tools writers use to write fiction: character.
story, tone and setting, use of tense, point of view, structure and voice. Through writing exercises, the sharing of work and discussion, writers will develop the necessary tools to create compelling fiction.
By the end of the workshop all participants should be well on the way to possessing the necessary tools to write a compelling short story or novel.

‘Stephanie Johnson is an expert storyteller. Her shrewdly observed characters truly come alive on the page, and she remains determined to keep the reader engaged, surprised, and above all else, entertained. She has a great deal to teach anyone who wants to write – and who wants to improve.’
Steve Braunias, best-selling author, critic and prize-winning journalist.

‘After authoring 13 successful non-fiction books, I decided to take the leap into fiction. The highly informative days of Stephanie Johnson’s course helped me shape not only the story I planned to tell, characters who would inhabit it and, more important, how I will approach all my future writing. I highly recommend her course, which comes with a special bonus, the feeling of being immersed in the world of writing with someone who has helped shape New Zealand’s literary world.’
Lin Pardey, internationally renowned writer and sailing legend.


Stephanie Johnson MNZM has taught Creative Writing at many tertiary institutions and independent workshops. She is the author of over twenty books, fiction and nonfiction. She is the recipient of various awards and fellowships, including the Prime Minister’s Prize for Literary Achievement (Fiction), the Deutz Medal for Fiction in the Montana Book Awards, the Bruce Mason Memorial Playwrights Award, the Auckland University Fellowship and the Katherine Mansfield Fellowship. Several of her books have been published in the United States, Britain and Australia. Stephanie is a co-founder of the Auckland Writers Festival.

SEPTEMBER 18TH, 19TH AND 20TH 10am to 4pm.
GARNET ROAD STATION, WESTMERE.
$550 including lunch.
Enquiries and enrolments to [email protected]

From May 6th - May 10th, I'm conducting a writers' workshop at Creative Matakana. This will be an intensive, interactive workshop aimed at developing lively pieces of fiction that may grow into short stories or novels. The workshop is filling up fast but there are still seven places available. If anyone is interested, book through Creative Matakana's website.
Stephanie Johnson.

This taonga is lovingly put together by treasured poet Anne Kennedy - poems from poets past and present, a selection of over 200 works. On Thursday 26th October 'Remember Me: Poems to Learn by Heart from Aotearoa New Zealand' will be launched by Stephanie Johnson at Kim Meredith Gallery in Symonds Street, with readings from many of the featured poets. All welcome!