Tuesday, January 06, 2009


Michael King Writers’ Centre/Creative New Zealand
Writers-in-Residence

Two writers have been selected for residencies at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport, Auckland, in early 2009.

They are prominent Wellington poet, fiction writer, editor and biographer, Vincent O’Sullivan, and Dunedin writer and poet, David Eggleton.

Vincent O’Sullivan, ( left), who has published an extensive range of poetry, fiction and drama, as well as academic books, is working on a biography of artist Ralph Hotere. He will be at the centre between February and April.

David Eggleton (right) is working on a collection of poems drawing on Polynesian myths and legends. He will be at the centre between April and June.

Both writers plan to use their time in Auckland to carry out research in the area, as well as to write.

The residencies, which have an associated stipend of $8,000 each, are funded by the Michael King Writers’ Centre and Creative New Zealand.

The Michael King Writers’ Centre is New Zealand’s full first writers’ centre. It aims to support New Zealand writers and to promote New Zealand literature by securing funds for residencies, organising literary events and programmes for writers. It is based in the historic Signalman’s House on Mt Victoria in Devonport.

Including the 2009 short residencies, a total of nine writers have had the opportunity to stay at the centre for periods between six weeks and six months since the project was launched in 2005. In addition, a large number of writers have rented rooms at the centre while they work or carry out research in Auckland.

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