IT’S BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!

WRITEFEST is RETURNING THIS 21st of JULY

TOI TU STUDIO ONE - PONSONBY, AUCKLAND.

WRITEFEST returns this July 21!

Writefest 2024 brings an amazing group of tutors and wordsmiths together under one roof to teach a broad range of craft skills over one super stimulating day.

Last season was a blast (check out our pics from last time) and we can’t wait to open the doors again this year. If you’re a writer looking to improve your craft or a newer writer looking to learn & connect with other writers.

This event is for you.

• 9 Workshops

• 7 Awesome Tutors

• 4 Coffee Breaks

• 1 BRILLIANT DAY

Our tutors are experienced, successful writers so this is a fantastic opportunity to upskill and get inspired whether you’re brand new or your writing is well under way.

There are several ways you can join us - buy an ALL DAY PASS to get access to all of our workshops - highly recommended!

Or buy a ticket to INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOPS and come grab a coffee with us afterwards.

- WRITING HORROR: Multi-award-winning Horror Author - Lee Murray

- MAKE 'EM LAUGH: Award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett

- START YOUR LIFE OF CRIME: Award-winning author & screenwriter Michael Bennett

- THE ART OF THE REWRITE: Award-winning poet and novelist Anne Kennedy

- PLOT LIKE A PRO: Award-winning novelist Lee Murray

- WRITE GOOD SEX : Award-winning poet and novelist Anne Kennedy

- BEAT THE BLOCK: Award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett

- THE LOWDOWN ON SELF-PUBLISHING: SPA Girls Weekly Podcast by Trudi Jaye & Cheryl Phipps

- START YOUR MEMOIR - Award-winning author Janice Marriott

OUR STELLAR LINE UP OF 2024 TUTORS

09:00 am - 10:30 am

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MAKE 'EM LAUGH - KATHRYN BURNETT

Whether you want to write funny characters, lines or scenarios this invigorating workshop reveals practical tips and exercises to help writers find the funny in just about anything or anyone.  AND find out how funny can work for you even if you don't write comedy.

Tutor: Award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett - 1.5 HOURS

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WRITING HORROR — LEE MURRAY

Join acclaimed, multi-award-winning horror writer Lee Murray (4 x BramStoker awards) to learn the craft of writing horror that goes beyond frights, gore and cheap thrills. You’ll learn how to write suspenseful, unique and genuinely hair-raising horror from a pro.

Tutor: 5 x Bram Stoker Winner - Lee Murray 1.5 HOURS

11:00 am - 01:00 pm

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START YOUR LIFE OF CRIME — Michael Bennett

Keen on writing crime?  Join award-winning crime writer Michael Bennett on a journey through how his stories take shape and how the different crime mediums inform each other. For writers who want to explore crime writing and discover their idea, voice and themes.

Tutor: Award-winning author & screenwriter Michael Bennett - 2 HOURS

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PLOT LIKE A PRO — LEe MURRAY

We know a solid plot forms the backbone of a good novel. This workshop teaches participants about different approaches to plotting and structuring your story. But best of all, you’ll discover the best way of plotting to develop your storyline and plan your novel.  Get plotting!

Tutor: Award-winning novelist Lee Murray - 2 HOURS

01:00 PM - 01:45 PM

1:45 pm - 5:00pm

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THE LOWDOWN ON SELF-PUBLISHING — Trudi JayE & Cheryl Phipps

Want great advice before you start your self-publishing journey? Trudi and Cheryl (SPA Girls Self-publishing Podcast) are here to share their phenomenal self-publishing knowledge and years of experience to bring you a thorough, easy to understand beginner’s guide to self-publishing.  

Tutors: Trudi Jaye & Cheryl Phipps - 3.15 HOURS

01:45 pm - 03:15 PM

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BEAT THE BLOCK — Kathryn Burnett

Writing process getting stale?  Feeling stuck and creatively blocked? This workshop will re-invigorate your creativity and get you back on the horse. Learn techniques to push through blocks and procrastination - and get re-energised! 

Tutor: Award-winning writer & author of The Productive Writer Guidebook Kathryn Burnett - 1.5 HOURS

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THE ART OF THE REWRITE — Anne Kennedy

You’ve written a first draft and you know you need to rework it, but how? What do you leave in and what do you take out?  How do you make your prose sing? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to see your own work with an editor’s eye when an extraordinary wordsmith shares all her best tips, techniques, and hands-on exercises.

Tutor: Award-winning poet and novelist Anne Kennedy - 1.5 HOURS

03:30 pm - 05:30 PM

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WRITE GOOD SEX — Anne Kennedy

Write Good Sex teaches you how to take passionate prose from cringy to captivating. It explores what sex scenes should and shouldn’t do. It digs into the how and why of sex in your story and shows you how sexual scenes enhance our understanding of characters and power dynamics.

Tutor: Award-winning poet and novelist Anne Kennedy - 2 HOURS

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START YOUR MEMOIR — Janice MarriotT

Many of us have stories we want to tell, though we don't know where to start, or how to navigate the complexities of writing about ourselves and other people.  In this workshop you’ll learn how to draw out memories for your memoir, techniques for creating characters through words and ways of structuring your memoir. 

Award-winning author Janice Marriott - 2 HOURS

FAQ

Q: Who is this workshop for?

Anyone writing fiction or interested in writing fiction. There are a range of workshops - some are for aspiring writers, others are for people who have already begun their writing journey. (Feel free to get in touch if you have questions - right here)

Q: What is the MINIMUM age limit?

16 years old (But we’re happy to discuss!)

Q: How Many of the workshops will I have access to?

If you’ve purchased an All Day ticket you can join as many of the workshops as you like. If you buy a One Off workshop ticket you’ll only have access to that workshop.

Q: What is the catering situation?

Morning and afternoon tea are provided. Purchasers of All Day Ticket also invited to our early Coffee at 8.30am.

Q: Can I buy additional tickets at venue on the day?

Yes, if you want to upsize to an ALL Day ticket or purchase another One Off ticket - no problem.

Q: Are the tickets transferable?

From person to person or Writefest workshop to Writefest workshop - yes. Transferable to another BGWW event - no.

Q: What is your refund policy?

If we cancel the event for any reason - ticketholders will receive a full refund less Eventbrite fees. (NB: In case of COVID related lock downs - the event will be postponed and a postponed date will be offered shortly after announcement.)

NB: If the ticket holder wishes to cancel their Writefest 2024 registration a refund will only be issued if cancellation is a minimum of 7 days before the event. No exceptions. As tickets to this event are limited, BGWW cannot issue refunds or exchanges after this time.