2010 Writer in Residence announced
Dunedin writer Karen Trebilcock,(pic left) who writes under the pen name Ella West, is the University of Otago College of Education Writer in Residence for 2010.
The prestigious six-month residency is open to established children’s writers who have published one or more books of imaginative work for children.
Mrs Trebilcock (42), who is about to launch the third book in her Thieves trilogy of fiction for young adults, entitled Real Life, is delighted at being chosen as next year’s Writer in Residence. She will take up her residency in February. “It’s a great thrill to be acknowledged for such a prestigious residency and I’m overwhelmed,” she says.
Dunedin writer Karen Trebilcock,(pic left) who writes under the pen name Ella West, is the University of Otago College of Education Writer in Residence for 2010.
The prestigious six-month residency is open to established children’s writers who have published one or more books of imaginative work for children.
Mrs Trebilcock (42), who is about to launch the third book in her Thieves trilogy of fiction for young adults, entitled Real Life, is delighted at being chosen as next year’s Writer in Residence. She will take up her residency in February. “It’s a great thrill to be acknowledged for such a prestigious residency and I’m overwhelmed,” she says.
The first of the trilogy, Thieves, was released in 2006 to critical acclaim, and was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Children and Young Adult Book Awards.
To assist her in writing her sequel, Anywhere But Here (published 2008), Mrs Trebilcock won the Louis Johnson Bursary from Creative New Zealand in 2006. As well as writing from her home n Mosgiel, she currently works part-time at the Dunedin City Council in communications.
As Writer in Residence, she plans to write a novel for young adults set in Dunedin and Australia, with the theme of global warming.
Mrs Trebilcock’s previous writing experience includes working as a newspaper journalist in Dunedin, Invercargill, Westport and Mosgiel, as well as writing for the School Journal.
Part of the residency includes having the opportunity to take advantage of teaching opportunities at the College of Education – an aspect she is looking forward to.
“One of the great things about writing for children is there are lots of opportunities to meet your readers,” she says.
“It gets you away from your computer plus gives you a first-hand knowledge of what children really enjoy reading.”
The residency, which has run at the College since 1992, provides for a writer to work fulltime for six months in a College of Education environment. It is jointly funded by Creative New Zealand and the University of Otago.
Previous recipients include Bill O’Brien, Vincent Ford, Tania Roxborogh, David Hill, Katerina Mataira and Paula Boock.
To assist her in writing her sequel, Anywhere But Here (published 2008), Mrs Trebilcock won the Louis Johnson Bursary from Creative New Zealand in 2006. As well as writing from her home n Mosgiel, she currently works part-time at the Dunedin City Council in communications.
As Writer in Residence, she plans to write a novel for young adults set in Dunedin and Australia, with the theme of global warming.
Mrs Trebilcock’s previous writing experience includes working as a newspaper journalist in Dunedin, Invercargill, Westport and Mosgiel, as well as writing for the School Journal.
Part of the residency includes having the opportunity to take advantage of teaching opportunities at the College of Education – an aspect she is looking forward to.
“One of the great things about writing for children is there are lots of opportunities to meet your readers,” she says.
“It gets you away from your computer plus gives you a first-hand knowledge of what children really enjoy reading.”
The residency, which has run at the College since 1992, provides for a writer to work fulltime for six months in a College of Education environment. It is jointly funded by Creative New Zealand and the University of Otago.
Previous recipients include Bill O’Brien, Vincent Ford, Tania Roxborogh, David Hill, Katerina Mataira and Paula Boock.
Footnote:
Within a few weeks of this announcement Karen Trebilcock, (writing as
Ella West), will release her new novel for young adults, Real Life, the third and final book in her popular Thieves trilogy.
In this chilling conclusion, Nicky and her fellow ‘travellers’ are back at the Project. They’ve been issued with tracking devices that can’t be removed, leaving them all feeling trapped and betrayed. Nicky manages to return to her swim team, but how long will the Project tolerate her small slice of freedom?
Meanwhile the Project is caught up in sinister questionable affairs. When terrorists threaten Nicky is set to the dangerous heart of the matter and destructive forces close in…
Real Life’s edgy mix of sci-fi and social realism make for compelling reading in this thrilling and suspenseful conclusion. This is a great read for teens who enjoy plenty of excitement and action.
Real Life will be released on 2nd October.
Ella West), will release her new novel for young adults, Real Life, the third and final book in her popular Thieves trilogy.In this chilling conclusion, Nicky and her fellow ‘travellers’ are back at the Project. They’ve been issued with tracking devices that can’t be removed, leaving them all feeling trapped and betrayed. Nicky manages to return to her swim team, but how long will the Project tolerate her small slice of freedom?
Meanwhile the Project is caught up in sinister questionable affairs. When terrorists threaten Nicky is set to the dangerous heart of the matter and destructive forces close in…
Real Life’s edgy mix of sci-fi and social realism make for compelling reading in this thrilling and suspenseful conclusion. This is a great read for teens who enjoy plenty of excitement and action.
Real Life will be released on 2nd October.
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteyay for Karen. Well deserved! She is one of those writers I love but hate that I love her so much and is a personal friend and am increadily jealous of her talent. And I cheekily say I hate her cos she's a natural! She is one to watch! Go her.
ReplyDelete*Tania ends over indulgent enthusiasm*
Perhaps you could devote a column sometime to the children's writer in residence itself. This was established at a time when no other tertiary institution valued children's writing (as reflected also in the paucity of tertiary courses about children's literature)and the list of notable writers who have been awarded this residence can be considerably expanded. Ken Cattran and Jack Lasenby have also held this residence
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and I'd be delighted to devote a column to such a subject. Could you or someone else perhaps write something and forward it to me?
ReplyDelete