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Spanning thirty years, involving four interviewers and including over twenty writers, the New Zealand Society of Authors Oral History Podcast is hosted by Karyn Hay and will include interviews from the late 1990’s with writers such as Gordon McLauchlan, Lauris Edmond and Kevin Ireland, and more rece…

NZ Society of Authors


    • Feb 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 40m AVG DURATION
    • 65 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from NZ Society of Authors

    2024 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 30:53


    This podcast was recorded at the Janet Frame Memorial Lecture, given by the NZSA President of Honour 2024 Barbara Else in November 2024 as part of the Verb Festival, Wellington. The prestigious position of NZSA President of Honour, is bestowed on a senior writer and long-serving member in recognition of their contribution to writing and writers and the literary arts sector in Aotearoa.

    Fluer Adcock Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 38:43


    In 2019, Deborah Shepard travelled to England to spend two days recording the oral history of writer Fleur Adcock. In the last episode Fleur talked about some of her life in New Zealand; this episode focuses more on her life in London, her permanent home now for nearly fifty years.

    Fleur Adcock part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 29:56


    Fleur Adcock lived between New Zealand and England for many years. Although Fleur settled in London as a full-time writer in the 1970's, she is still published here and we still regard her as 'one of our own'. Over two episodes we are going to drop into parts of Fleur's oral history, collected in 2021 by Deborah Shepard - here's part one.

    Denys Trussell

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2023 32:08


    Denys Trussell is well known for his environmental poetry and advocacy, yet there is much more to learn about him. In this episode we drop into his 2021 discussion with Kelly Ana Morey where they talk about his turn towards writing, and why he spends so much of his time fighting for what he believes in.

    Graeme Lay

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 34:46


    Graeme Lay is the author of more than forty books of fiction and non-fiction, and many many shorter works. He was good friends with most Auckland writers of his generation. Graeme spoke with Kelly Ana Morey in 2021, and they start by talking about the first works of short fiction he had published as a young writer.

    NZSA Live! Witi Ihimaera-Smiler, 2023 Janet Frame Address

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2023 48:04


    This podcast was recorded at the Janet Frame Memorial Lecture, given by the NZSA President of Honour 2022-2023, Witi Ihimaera-Smiler in November 2023. The prestigious position of NZSA President of Honour, is bestowed on a senior writer and long-serving member in recognition of their contribution to writing and writers and the literary arts sector in Aotearoa.

    Marilyn Duckworth

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 40:12


    In 2016, Marilyn Duckworth won the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement in Fiction. The award came more than 50 years after she had won the New Zealand Literary Fund Award for Achievement in 1963. Marilyn talks to Deborah Shepard in this episode about her career as an author over those 50 years.

    Witi Ihimaera Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 34:09


    Witi Ihimaera has become one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most recognised and decorated writers over his 50+ years as an author. The first episode of this season covered some of those highlights; this episode we again join Witi talking to Deborah Shepard about his life as a writer.

    Witi Ihimaera Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 39:02


    The New Zealand Society of Authors Oral History Podcast is back with our fifth season! We start with two episodes featuring Witi Ihimaera. In this first episode we begin with Witi talking to Deborah Shepard about the writing scene he launched into in 1970's New Zealand. New episodes every 3 weeks.

    New Zealand Society of Authors introduces 'The Author's Tale'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 27:09


    It's been a while since our last New Zealand Society of Authors Oral History podcast episode, so we thought you'd enjoy being introduced to 'The Author's Tale'. This great podcast is presented and produced by NZSA member, Stephanie Frewen, and features casual conversations with prominent and influential New Zealand authors.

    NZSA Live! Tessa Duder, 2022 Janet Frame Address

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 43:31


    This podcast was recorded at the Janet Frame Memorial Lecture, given by the NZSA President of Honour 2021-2022, Tessa Duder in May 2022. The prestigious position of NZSA President of Honour, is bestowed on a senior writer and long-serving member in recognition of their contribution to writing and writers and the literary arts sector in Aotearoa. Tessa Duder has been a champion of children's and young adult writing in Aotearoa for 40 years through many literary organisations, including being a past President of NZSA. She has been widely recognized for her writing and advocacy; Tessa is a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, she has won the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement, the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, The Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, and numerous awards for her books and writing.

    Summer Encore: Gigi Fenster introduces Lynn Jenner

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2022 25:11


    In the last of our New Zealand Society of Authors Summer Encore episodes, novelist Gigi Fenster introduces you to her favourite episode: the workshop 'Writing Process for Essay and Memoir Writers' with Lynn Jenner given at the 2018 National Writers Forum. Learn more about Gigi's books at: https://gigi-fenster.com/About More about Lynn Jenner at: https://pinklight.nz/about/ More about NZSA at: authors.org.nz/

    Summer Encore: James Russell introduces Philip Temple

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 43:13


    In the New Zealand Society of Authors Summer Encore Series, well known NZSA authors introduce you to some of their favourite episodes from the NZSA podcast. This week, James Russell, author of the Dragon Brothers Trilogy and Dragon Defenders series, introduces you to his favourite episode: Philip Temple's oral history conversation with Deborah Shepard discussing his life and work over half a century as a writer in Aotearoa. Learn more about James's books at: https://dragonbrothersbooks.com/ More about Philip Temple at: https://philiptemple.com/ More about NZSA at: authors.org.nz/

    Summer Encore: Graci Kim introduces 'Making it in the international market'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2022 54:35


    In the New Zealand Society of Authors Summer Encore Series, well known NZSA authors introduce you to some of their favourite episodes from the NZSA podcast. This week, Graci Kim, author of the instant US bestseller, 'The Last Fallen Star' (A Gifted Clans Novel 1), introduces you to her favourite episode: the panel discussion ‘Making it in the international market' from the 2018 National Writers Forum. The panel features Paula Morris, Tracey Farr, and David Ling. Learn more about Graci and her book at: https://www.gracikim.com/ More about NZSA at: authors.org.nz/

    Summer Encore: Rosetta Allan introduces Paula Morris Address

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2021 52:31


    Welcome to the New Zealand Society of Authors Summer Encore Series, where we've asked well known NZSA authors to introduce you to some of their favourite episodes from the NZSA podcast so far. This week, Rosetta Allan, author of the recently released ‘Crazy Love' along with several other novels and poetry collections, introduces you to her favourite episode: Paula Morris' 2020 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture. Learn more about Rosetta and her new book ‘Crazy Love' at: https://rosettaallan.com/ More about Paula Morris: https://www.paula-morris.com/ More about the Janet Frame Lecture: https://authors.org.nz/janet-frame-lectures/ More about NZSA at: https://authors.org.nz/

    Summer Encore: Whiti Hereaka introduces 'Getting Hot and Bothered'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 42:57


    The New Zealand Society of Authors Summer Encore Series is a podcast series where well known NZSA authors introduce you to some of their favourite episodes from the NZSA podcast so far. This week, Whiti Hereaka, author of the newly released ‘Kurangaituku' and successful playwright, novelist, screenwriter, introduces you to her favourite episode: the panel discussion ‘Getting Hot and Bothered' from the 2018 National Writers Forum. Learn more about Whiti and her new book Kurangaituku at: https://huia.co.nz/huia-bookshop/authors/author/54 More about NZSA at: https://authors.org.nz/ Please note, this episode is about writing sex scenes and does include adult content.

    Summer Encore: Mary-anne Scott introduces Joy Cowley

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 48:27


    Introducing the NZSA Summer Encore Series, where we've asked well known NZSA authors to introduce you to some of their favourite episodes from the NZSA podcast so far. This week, Mary-anne Scott, author of the newly released ‘The Tomo', along with ‘Spearo', ‘Sticking with Pigs', and several other books for young people, introduces you to her favourite episode: Joy Cowley from Season 3 of the NZSA Oral History Podcast. Learn more about Mary-anne at: https://maryannescott.com/ More about Joy Cowley at: https://www.joycowley.com/ More about NZSA at: https://authors.org.nz/

    Margaret Mahy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 39:19


    Margaret Mahy is New Zealand's most celebrated children's writer. She wrote over 100 books, published in 15 different languages, and continues to be read around the world. In May 2000, Alison Gray interviewed Margaret for the New Zealand Society of Authors Oral History Project.

    Brian Turner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 36:10


    As a poet, essayist, biographer and editor, Brian Turner has become one of New Zealand's most significant writers on landscape, the environment and sport. In this episode, Brian and Naomi Arnold have a wide-ranging discussion about Brian's writing, environmental activism, sports connections and work in publishing.

    Barbara Else Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 44:31


    Season 4 of the NZSA Oral History podcast continues in a second episode with Barbara Else, from her 2020 oral history interview with Naomi Arnold. In this episode you can hear Barbara and Naomi discuss NZSA, copyright, author incomes, and much more about not just writing books, but also the business of books.

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    Barbara Else Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 41:26


    Dunedin-based Barbara Else is a successful New Zealand author who has also run one of Aotearoa’s oldest literary agencies, TFS. She has held fellowships and scholarships throughout her career, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and was awarded the Margaret Mahy Medal, both in recognition of her services to literature. In part 1 of her interview, Barbara talks with Naomi Arnold about finding her gift for humour during the writing of her first plays, developing as a writer, the success of her first novel The Warrior Queen and the opportunities which followed.

    Philip Temple

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 42:53


    Philip Temple is an award-winning author of ten novels and more than thirty non-fiction books for both adults and children. He has held many of our top residencies, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Literature, and been the recipient of a Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement. He has also been a campaigner on behalf of writers in Aotearoa for many years. In this episode, Philip talks with Deborah Shepard about his life and work over half a century as a writer in Aotearoa.

    Kyle Mewburn Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2021 48:10


    This episode is part 2 of Naomi Arnold's 2020 oral history interview with Kyle Mewburn. Naomi and Kyle talk about the issues authors face, both on and off the page, and Kyle's time as NZSA president: "I was known for being flippant, because I am flippant, how very observant of these people to notice!". An open look at the life of a NZ writer and author advocate.

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    Kyle Mewburn Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 43:23


    Kyle Mewburn is one of New Zealand's most prolific and eclectic writers. Kyle became a full-time writer in 1997 and was President of NZSA for four years, she is dedicated to the welfare of writers across Aotearoa. Kyle talked with Naomi Arnold in 2020, and begins season 4 of the NZSA Oral History Podcast.

    Season 4 Promo

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 0:45


    Season 4 of the NZSA Oral History Podcast is coming soon!

    NZSA Live! Paula Morris, 2020 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 50:54


    This podcast was recorded at the 2020 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture, given by the NZSA President of Honour 2020-2021, Paula Morris. The prestigious position of NZSA President of Honour is bestowed on a senior writer and long-serving member in recognition of their contribution to writing and writers and the literary arts sector in Aotearoa. Paula Morris holds senior roles across the book industry and is generous in her mentoring and support for writers. She champions diverse voices and has many mentoring roles across groups of emerging and developing writers.

    Owen Marshall

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020 38:43


    Owen Marshall is a celebrated New Zealand writer. Often referred to as one of this country's best short-story writers, Owen is also a novelist and poet. He has been awarded many of the top literary fellowships and honours available to New Zealand writers and was the New Zealand Society of Authors President of Honour in 2007-2008. Owen spoke with Deborah Shepard in 2015 in our last episode of Season 3.

    Chris Else Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 36:47


    In our last episode, author Chris Else talked to Deborah Shepard about his many years of active service for the New Zealand Society of Authors. During those years Chris was also writing and working as a literary agent. His writing life is the focus of this episode.

    Chris Else Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2020 37:46


    Chris Else is a New Zealand author and literary agent. Along with his own writing, and promoting the writing of others, Chris has dedicated much of his life to advocacy work on behalf of New Zealand authors. In the first of two podcasts with Chris, he talks to Deborah Shepard about his long involvement with NZSA.

    Getting Hot and Bothered panel discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 41:52


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a discussion on writing sex and romance with Catherine Robertson, Lani Wendt Young and Steff Green. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Making it in the international market

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 54:18


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a discussion on making it in the international market with Paula Morris, David Ling and Tracy Farr. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Joy Cowley

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 46:52


    Dame Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s most loved and recognised authors, having published over six hundred titles for children and adults. In her own quiet way Joy has been a longtime NZSA member, and a supporter of authors in Aotearoa. This discussion with Deborah Shepard is a must for anyone interested in children's writing and reading.

    Writing Series: Challenges and Considerations

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 47:39


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a discussion on writing books in a series with Mandy Hager, Kyle Mewburn, Vanda Symon and Anna Mackenzie. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Books in a digital age, a discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2020 61:00


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a discussion on books, reading and writing in a digital age with Rhonda Kite, Edwin McRae and Pip Adams. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    YA Panel discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2020 53:08


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a panel discussion on YA writing with Mandy Hager, Lani Wendt Young, and Anna Mackenzie. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Indigenous Writers Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2020 50:22


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features Dr Anita Heiss in discussion with Paula Morris about carving a path in a fairly monocultural literary landscape and nurturing indigenous literature. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Panel Discussion on Book Translation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2020 57:01


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a discussion on book translation with Anahera Gildea, Vana Manasiadis and Herewini Easton. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    How to Self-Publish with Lani Wendt Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 58:46


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a how-to workshop on self-publishing with Lani Wendt Young. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Penny Hartill

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2020 30:03


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a workshop with Penny Hartill about book publicity. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Panel Discussion on the Business of Being a Writer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 79:58


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a panel discussion on the business side of writing. The panel included Catherine Robertson, Tracy Farr, Vicki Marsdon and Ranjana Gupta. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Panel Discussion on Adaptations

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2020 29:55


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a panel discussion on adaptations: books into TV and other mediums. The panel included Rhonda Kite, Martin Baynton, Charlotte Grimshaw and was chaired by Samantha Blackley. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Lynn Jenner

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2020 23:30


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a workshop on Writing Process for Essay and Memoir Writers with Lynn Jenner. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird: https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Brannavan Gnanalingam

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 27:21


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features Brannavan Gnanalingam's workshop on Creating 3D Characters. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird:https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Anita Heiss

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2020 29:08


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! featuring content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a keynote address from author Dr Anita Heiss. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird:https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    Lani Wendt Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 23:09


    New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)brings you this special edition of NZSA Live! with content from the 2018 National Writers Forum. This episode features a keynote address by author Lani Wendt Young. Like the music? Buy the track from NZ pianist Justin Bird:https://justinbird.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-fantasque-emmanual-chabrier

    David Hill

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 42:00


    David Hill has been a full time writer now for over thirty years. However, like many writers he began writing on-the-side while working as a secondary school teacher. Hear how he built and sustained a career in this episode of the NZSA Oral History Podcast.

    Tessa Duder Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020 39:49


    In our last episode, author Tessa Duder talked about her journey through journalism and motherhood and how those roles influenced her development as an author. Along the way Tessa has dedicated herself to issues of authors rights, both as an advocate and in her writing projects. What motivated her in this work is the focus of Part 2 of her 2015 interview with Deborah Shepard.

    Tessa Duder Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 44:49


    Season 3 of the NZSA Oral History Podcast begins with renown author Tessa Duder. Tessa has published fiction and non-fiction for children and adults both in New Zealand and overseas. In this episode she talks with Deborah Shepard as they chart Tessa's journey from a cub-reporter to famous novelist and the people who helped and inspired her along the way.

    David Hill, 2019 Janet Frame Memorial Lecture

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2019 44:23


    Welcome to NZSA Live! where we share audio recorded at a variety of New Zealand Society of Authors events. Today’s podcast was recorded at the 2019 Janet Frame Memorial Address given by NZSA President of Honour 2019 - 2020, David Hill.

    Dennis McEldowney

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2019 42:27


    Dennis McEldowney believed a diary was a better keeper of history than memory. In this final episode for Season 2 he reads from his diary and discusses with Michael King what the diary revealed.

    Ray Grover

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2019 29:24


    In the late 1950's Ray Grover was part of a small circle of Wellington writers that included Maurice Gee, Fleur Adcock and James K. Baxter. Shortly after publishing his first novel, 'Another Man’s Role' in 1967, Ray joined PEN NZ and quickly became involved in the executive. By 1974 he was President. Years later in February 2000 Ray sat down with Alison Gray to talk about those times and why, so soon after joining, he became actively involved.

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