Looking for inspiration and support?
Join a writers' group to network with fellow writers in your local area.
Check out the local possibilities below, or visit the New Zealand Society of Authors website for groups operating in other areas of New Zealand. Make contact with any of the groups listed below or start your own group and let us know about it so we can list it here! |
NELSON / TASMAN
Motueka Creative Writing Group
On the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm, this group meets at a member’s house, somewhere in the Motueka-Tasman area. Get on the mailing list to be invited. A topic is chosen by consensus and the following month each member of the group contributes a maximum of 800 words on that topic, or anything that has inspired them. At present they have 10 – 12 active members, and welcome other like-minded persons to come along and see if they like each other. Contact: Sarah Cantor at slcantor@hotmail.com Tel: 027 514 5417 or Barbara Glass at barb.glass18@gmail.com Tel: 027 443 1121
Mapua Live Poets - On Pause
Māpua Live Poets will restart in February 2024, and in the meantime we look forward to the special poetry feature in the Māpua Literary Festival on 15th September.
Follow us on Facebook for updates.
Nelson Live Poets
Meets on the second or third Tuesday of each month, 7 pm at Earth Hub (formerly the Seafarers Chapel) 235 Haven Road
Stepneyville, Nelson. All listeners, watchers, speakers, ponderers, wonderers, writers, in-betweens and all welcome. Koha entry ($ optional - your presence is a gift).
Follow us on Facebook for updates.
Contact: Dylan Mackie at dmackie@mailbox.org
Richmond Writing Group
The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month, 1 – 3 pm, in the Constance Barnicoat Room at Richmond Library. In the first hour there is a guest speaker followed by discussion, with optional sharing of own writing and a creative writing activity in the second hour. Free entry, everyone welcome.
Contact: LibraryInfoServices@tasman.govt.nz
Rock-up & Write!
Tui Tui Whakaaro
Join us on the 4th Saturday of the month at Richmond Library in the Constance Barnicoat Room, 9.45am - 12.30pm. Come along and write! All writers of all genres are welcome. The format is simple: sessions of silent, focused writing, split by a break for coffee and a chat. There's no reading out loud and no pressure, just a supportive bunch of people trying to get some words on the page.
For more information, contact Kate Shaw kate.shaw20@gmail.com
S.T.E.M. Writers Nelson
Meets on the second Tuesdays of each month, 1 – 3 pm in the activities room at the Elma Turner Library, Halifax Street, Nelson. Coffee and home-made cake provided. This small, active group is open to all who are interested in writing, whether for your private enjoyment or publication. We set a monthly writing theme, read our work to each other, and offer critique. Everyone is welcome.
Contact: Jackie Cook at taongajac@gmail.com
Tasman Writers
Unable to find a coordinator for this group, the TOS committee is planning to replace the group with occasional workshops which will be available to all writers via a Zoom room setup in Motueka Library Te Noninga Kumu. Most workshops will be free of charge but we ask for a koha if you can afford it. The first workshop on Point of View, conducted by award-winning writer and teacher, Paula Morris, was held on Tuesday 28 March. It initiated constructive and inspiring discussion. More workshops to be announced soon.
To be included on our mailing list, please contact Robyn author@robynprokop.com or Lucy tosnzsa15@gmail.com
WHAM! – Write Here at Motueka
This group meets at Motueka Library, 32 Wallace Street, on the third Wednesday of every month from 12 noon – 2 pm. Members share their writing and receive feedback in a positive and supportive way, with the aim of eventual publication. The group is open to everyone, no matter what their level of writing experience. Contact: Bettina Fautley, bettina.fautley@tasman.govt.nz
Writers at Lunchtime
Meeting on the first Wednesday of each month (except January) at Nelson Golf Club, 38 Bolt Road, Tahunanui. There is a guest speaker each month (except for December and Feburary), starting at 12.30 pm. Come any time between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm. Everyone is welcome, and there is a variety of food and drink on offer in the cafe. Come early to chat, eat and drink.
Gold coin donation.
Contact: Belinda at bmellor12@icloud.com or Sue at 021 061 6470. Get on their mailing list to join, and receive the latest updates.
On the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm, this group meets at a member’s house, somewhere in the Motueka-Tasman area. Get on the mailing list to be invited. A topic is chosen by consensus and the following month each member of the group contributes a maximum of 800 words on that topic, or anything that has inspired them. At present they have 10 – 12 active members, and welcome other like-minded persons to come along and see if they like each other. Contact: Sarah Cantor at slcantor@hotmail.com Tel: 027 514 5417 or Barbara Glass at barb.glass18@gmail.com Tel: 027 443 1121
Mapua Live Poets - On Pause
Māpua Live Poets will restart in February 2024, and in the meantime we look forward to the special poetry feature in the Māpua Literary Festival on 15th September.
Follow us on Facebook for updates.
Nelson Live Poets
Meets on the second or third Tuesday of each month, 7 pm at Earth Hub (formerly the Seafarers Chapel) 235 Haven Road
Stepneyville, Nelson. All listeners, watchers, speakers, ponderers, wonderers, writers, in-betweens and all welcome. Koha entry ($ optional - your presence is a gift).
Follow us on Facebook for updates.
Contact: Dylan Mackie at dmackie@mailbox.org
Richmond Writing Group
The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month, 1 – 3 pm, in the Constance Barnicoat Room at Richmond Library. In the first hour there is a guest speaker followed by discussion, with optional sharing of own writing and a creative writing activity in the second hour. Free entry, everyone welcome.
Contact: LibraryInfoServices@tasman.govt.nz
Rock-up & Write!
Tui Tui Whakaaro
Join us on the 4th Saturday of the month at Richmond Library in the Constance Barnicoat Room, 9.45am - 12.30pm. Come along and write! All writers of all genres are welcome. The format is simple: sessions of silent, focused writing, split by a break for coffee and a chat. There's no reading out loud and no pressure, just a supportive bunch of people trying to get some words on the page.
For more information, contact Kate Shaw kate.shaw20@gmail.com
S.T.E.M. Writers Nelson
Meets on the second Tuesdays of each month, 1 – 3 pm in the activities room at the Elma Turner Library, Halifax Street, Nelson. Coffee and home-made cake provided. This small, active group is open to all who are interested in writing, whether for your private enjoyment or publication. We set a monthly writing theme, read our work to each other, and offer critique. Everyone is welcome.
Contact: Jackie Cook at taongajac@gmail.com
Tasman Writers
Unable to find a coordinator for this group, the TOS committee is planning to replace the group with occasional workshops which will be available to all writers via a Zoom room setup in Motueka Library Te Noninga Kumu. Most workshops will be free of charge but we ask for a koha if you can afford it. The first workshop on Point of View, conducted by award-winning writer and teacher, Paula Morris, was held on Tuesday 28 March. It initiated constructive and inspiring discussion. More workshops to be announced soon.
To be included on our mailing list, please contact Robyn author@robynprokop.com or Lucy tosnzsa15@gmail.com
WHAM! – Write Here at Motueka
This group meets at Motueka Library, 32 Wallace Street, on the third Wednesday of every month from 12 noon – 2 pm. Members share their writing and receive feedback in a positive and supportive way, with the aim of eventual publication. The group is open to everyone, no matter what their level of writing experience. Contact: Bettina Fautley, bettina.fautley@tasman.govt.nz
Writers at Lunchtime
Meeting on the first Wednesday of each month (except January) at Nelson Golf Club, 38 Bolt Road, Tahunanui. There is a guest speaker each month (except for December and Feburary), starting at 12.30 pm. Come any time between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm. Everyone is welcome, and there is a variety of food and drink on offer in the cafe. Come early to chat, eat and drink.
Gold coin donation.
Contact: Belinda at bmellor12@icloud.com or Sue at 021 061 6470. Get on their mailing list to join, and receive the latest updates.
MARLBOROUGH
Picton Poets
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10.30 am at Picton Library. They share their own original poems in a friendly, constructive atmosphere. New members welcome.
Contact: Joyce Elwood-Smith at joyce.elwoodsmith@gmail.com
Writers of Picton
Usually meet with a writing challenge on the first Tuesday of the month in the upstairs room at Picton Library, 2pm - 4pm. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact: Irene & Peter Thomas at pandi.goodhope@gmail.com Tel: 03-573-5501.
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10.30 am at Picton Library. They share their own original poems in a friendly, constructive atmosphere. New members welcome.
Contact: Joyce Elwood-Smith at joyce.elwoodsmith@gmail.com
Writers of Picton
Usually meet with a writing challenge on the first Tuesday of the month in the upstairs room at Picton Library, 2pm - 4pm. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact: Irene & Peter Thomas at pandi.goodhope@gmail.com Tel: 03-573-5501.
WEST COAST
Mawhera Writers (Greymouth)
This group welcomes writers of all genres to write together, get feedback on their work, and to discuss all things ‘writing’ in a respectful, encouraging environment. Don't worry about your level of experience – everyone is welcome! The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, at Whare Manaaki, Cnr Tainui Street and Murray Street, Greymouth. Contact Mary Prendergast maryprendy18@gmail.com for more details and to go on the group mailing list.
Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mawherawriters/ to find and share writing-related updates and discussion relevant to the group.
This group welcomes writers of all genres to write together, get feedback on their work, and to discuss all things ‘writing’ in a respectful, encouraging environment. Don't worry about your level of experience – everyone is welcome! The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, at Whare Manaaki, Cnr Tainui Street and Murray Street, Greymouth. Contact Mary Prendergast maryprendy18@gmail.com for more details and to go on the group mailing list.
Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mawherawriters/ to find and share writing-related updates and discussion relevant to the group.
GOLDEN BAY
Golden Bay Live Poets' Society
Meetings are held in the famous Mussel Inn, Takaka, usually on the third Thursday night of each month at 8 pm. Local (and occasionally international) musicians/singer-songwriters feature in a slot before the open mic begins, and a guest poet often complements the open mic. Everyone is welcome. The entry is by koha. Check www.musselinn.co.nz for details.
Join our Facebook Page for updates and line-up.
Contact: Mark Raffills mark@drycrust.com
Subscribe to CRUMB for details on all the events sponsored by Golden Bay Live Poets Society plus a few other gigs and community happenings
Golden Bay Writers Group
All are welcome. If you love to write, join us at our Golden Bay Writers Group.
Monthly meetings at the Tākaka Cohousing office, at 65A Commercial Street.
We make use of an adapted Amherst Writer’s framework:
1. Everyone’s writing is treated with equal respect and value.
2. Writing is kept confidential and treated as fiction. We refer to the Narrator, rather than the individual, when responding to each other's work.
3. Writers are not obligated to read their work aloud.
4. Responses to just-written work reflect the impact it has on us as a listener, reflecting back what images, words or phrases land with us.
5. Through the practice of writing we support the development of our writing voices and through the practice of deep listening we allow the collective to influence and spark the creative threads in our feeling, thinking and writing process.
For more information and to join the mailing list contact goldenbaywriters@gmail.com
Meetings are held in the famous Mussel Inn, Takaka, usually on the third Thursday night of each month at 8 pm. Local (and occasionally international) musicians/singer-songwriters feature in a slot before the open mic begins, and a guest poet often complements the open mic. Everyone is welcome. The entry is by koha. Check www.musselinn.co.nz for details.
Join our Facebook Page for updates and line-up.
Contact: Mark Raffills mark@drycrust.com
Subscribe to CRUMB for details on all the events sponsored by Golden Bay Live Poets Society plus a few other gigs and community happenings
Golden Bay Writers Group
All are welcome. If you love to write, join us at our Golden Bay Writers Group.
Monthly meetings at the Tākaka Cohousing office, at 65A Commercial Street.
We make use of an adapted Amherst Writer’s framework:
1. Everyone’s writing is treated with equal respect and value.
2. Writing is kept confidential and treated as fiction. We refer to the Narrator, rather than the individual, when responding to each other's work.
3. Writers are not obligated to read their work aloud.
4. Responses to just-written work reflect the impact it has on us as a listener, reflecting back what images, words or phrases land with us.
5. Through the practice of writing we support the development of our writing voices and through the practice of deep listening we allow the collective to influence and spark the creative threads in our feeling, thinking and writing process.
For more information and to join the mailing list contact goldenbaywriters@gmail.com