Writing Works Aotearoa

A new short story!

Short story: Hedge Fund, by Stephanie Johnson

Keen eyes will have spotted posters for this book around the city. This beautifully written novel explores the suffering and resilience of Avani, an indentured labourer sent to Fiji in the late nineteenth century. In alternative chapters we follow the fortunes of Meera in Auckland and India, as she tries to discover her occluded, damaged genealogy. Avani is her great-grandmother. Many novels with split time schemes labour under the yoke but in BANJARA both epochs are richly and emotionally evoked. A triumph!

What a phenomenal writer was Defoe! I have just read 'Robinson Crusoe' (1719) and 'Moll Flanders' (1722) and loved them both, having forgiven him, finally, for stealing Aphra Behn's thunder. Aphra introduced dialogue into the novel. Occasionally Defoe allows his characters to speak but mostly conversations are in reportage. There are no chapter breaks, so there is the sense of life going on in real time, particularly on Crusoe's island. Worth a read if you enjoy archaic language and a journey back in time.

'Steph helped me with a final draft that had lost its way in the bush. She shed light on how to pull the structure together, and picked up on loads of annoying little things that I had of course completely missed.'
Above is a lovely tribute from a well-known NZ writer, who asks that I keep her identity secret. Followers and friends who may be likewise lost in the bush, please don't hesitate to send out a mayday!
You can contact me at [email protected] or [email protected]

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.