The University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Writer in Residence
The University of Otago is the only tertiary institute in New Zealand which offers a residency for a children's writer. Begun by the Dunedin College of Education in 1992, it allows writers to work full time in a compatible environment among colleagues who are concerned with the teaching of reading and literature to children. Remuneration of $28,000 is jointly funded by the University and Creative New Zealand.
The residency is open to established children's writers who are normally resident in New Zealand. The annual residency is for a six month period between February and August and includes an office within the College.
The residency is offered in association with the Robert Lord Trust which provides rent-free accommodation to writers in the historic Titan Street cottage bequeathed by the late playwright Robert Lord.
Previous Fellowship recipients
- Joanna Orwin, 2009
- Bill O'Brien, 2008
Karen Trebilcock
University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Writer in Residence 2010
Explaining to friends and family exactly what it means to me to have this residency has been a tricky, but at times hilarious, task. Many keep on referring to it as a job as in “when do you start your new job?” and others ask “but what are you going to do there?” The comment “and you’re going to get paid for that!” also pops up fairly frequently. I have consoled myself that maybe the general public have yet to realise writing fiction for children is important and yes, should be paid. It is not a job, but a craft – a creative process – and gives stories to our children and teenagers that encourages them to extend their reading skills, explore other ideas and worlds, and of course, to dream.
Maybe I just need new friends. My family, I know, I’m stuck with. They’ll get it eventually.
For the record, during the residency I will be writing a teen thriller I’ve called Absorbed which will be set in Dunedin and Australia. I’ll be aiming for between 50,000 and 60,000 words so yes, for the six months of the residency, it will keep me very busy. The novel is about global warming and how teenagers could react to having to reduce their carbon footprints to save their way of life. (Imagine a teenager without a set of wheels!) I also will be writing a blog about the creative process as part of having the residency is to teach and inspire children to read and to write their own stories.
I promise I will not get sidetracked by film or stage scripts or anything else I usually write. Well, I sort of promise.