Peter Rigg - Page & Blackmore
‘You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.’ Anon

Robbie Burton - Craig Potton Publishing
In many ways it probably would have been much more sensible to have moved our publishing company up to Auckland, rather than staying here in Nelson. That said, if we had I doubt whether we would have enjoyed such a loyal and dedicated staff, or, with our relative isolation, felt the same degree of freedom to do things in our own very individual way, and perhaps we might not have had quite as much fun as we've had, being able to live and work in this very benign corner of the world.

Lindy Kelly - writer
Take a large pinch of breathtaking scenery, a dessertspoon of peace, a teaspoon of space and a pottery mug full of colourful, cosmopolitan people. Blend with Nelson's own brand of creative energy and you have the perfect recipe to nourish a writer.

Authors of all genres have historically been drawn to Nelson and produced much internationally recognised work. From the earliest writings of explorer Charles Heaphy in the 1840’s to the present day, the area has inspired some of New Zealand's most acclaimed and prodigious writers.

As the popularity of writing has blossomed, so have the number of writing courses, workshops, poetry and short story readings, publishing and socialising opportunities for writers.

Following the hugely successful Writers' Forum in Nelson in 2005, a branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors was formed, plus the Eclipse newsletter, which reaches almost every wordsmith, creating a true community of writers.

Visit Profile of the author

Sue Farley
New Zealand Society
Of Authors