July 19 & 20 2025
In 2025, We’re excited to open writefest with A PANEL on working with A.I & networking drinks followed on sunday by A FULL DAY OF inspiring WRITING workshops!
Writefest brings a group of amazing tutors and wordsmiths together under one roof to inform and teach writing skills over ONe EVENING AND ONE super stimulating day.
Last year was a blast and we can’t wait to do it all again!
What can I expect at WRITEFEST?
If you’re a writer who wants to improve your craft, learn new stuff and connect with other writers - this event is for you…
8 Workshops
7 Awesome Tutors
3 Coffee Breaks
1 panel + 1 BRILLIANT DAY
Our tutors are experienced, successful writers so this is a fantastic opportunity to upskill and get inspired whether you’re brand new or your writing is well under way.
our 2025 workshops include:
FIRE UP YOUR STORY ENGINE
PITCH ON THE PAGE
CRAFTING SHORT STORIES
CRAFT BEAUTIFUL SENTENCES
START YOUR NON-FICTION BOOK
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PUBLISHING
SURVIVING FEEDBACK.
IMPROVING YOUR DIALOGUE
SATURDAY NIGHT panel & networking drinks - 4.30pm
WORKING WITH A.I: THE GOOD, BAD AND ugly – Alice Shearman, Scott Butler
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SUNDAY WORKSHOPS - Doors open 8.00am
fire up your story engine: WRITING SPRINTS — KATHRYN BURNETT
PITCH ON THE PAGE: WRITING A SYNOPSIS THAT SELLS — STEVE BARR
SURVIVING FEEDBACK - KATHRYN BURNETT
CRAFTING SHORT STORIES — CAROLINE BARRON
START YOUR NON-FICTION BOOK — ATAKOHU MIDDLETON
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PUBLISHING — HARRIET ALLaN
CRAFTING BEAUTIFUL SENTENCES — ANNE KENNEDY
IMPROVING YOUR DIALOGUE — STEVE BARR
OUR STELLAR LINE UP OF 2025 TUTORS
ON SALE NOW
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ON SALE NOW —
HOW do i register?
So many ways you can join us at Writefest 2025! Choose the ticket option that suits you best...
Buy an All Day Pass and indulge in a full day of writerly goodness - as many workshops as you like PLUS includes Coffee all day, morning and afternoon tea.
Time poor? Buy a Single Workshop Ticket and come to the class that suits you. NB: All ticket holders are invited to join us for Coffee & snacks.
Want to buy an All Day Ticket in 4 part payments? Get in touch and we’ll sort you out.
04:30 - 6:30 Pm
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Saturday Evening – Panel and Opening Session
Working with AI – Good, Bad and ugly: guest speakers Alice Shearman & Scott Butler
AI offers exciting opportunies for speed and enhanced productivity but it also introduces some tricky questions around copyright, ownership, and collaboration that writers need to understand. Whether you embrace it or reject it, AI isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Join NZ Writers Guild ED, Alice Shearman, Novelist & Copywriter Scott Butler and Kathryn Burnett 4.30pm Saturday 19th July for a stimulating discussion that digs into the good, bad and ugly of working with A.I.
08:30 am - 10:00 am
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FIRE UP YOUR STORY ENGINE — KATHRYN BURNETT
90 minutes of creatively stimulating writing sprints with Award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett - 1.5 HOURS
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PITCH ON THE PAGE — STEVE BARR
Write a synopsis that sells! Nailing your synopsis, logline or pitch is a vital part of your writing career - learn with development exec & screenwriter Steve Barr - 1.5 HOURS
MORNING TEA: 10:00 am - 10:30 AM
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
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SURVIVING FEEDBACK — KATHRYN BURNETT
Fear of what people will think can stop writers in their tracks but feedback can be your friend. Learn how to love it with award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett - 2 HOURS
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CRAFTING SHORT STORIES — CAROLINE BARRON
What makes for a great short story? Learn the nuts and bolts with award-winning novelist Caroline Barron - 2 HOURS
LUNCH: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
1:00 pm - 2:30pm
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START YOUR NON-FICTION BOOK — ATAKOHU MIDDLETON
Start turning your experience and expertise into compelling non-fiction with award-winning journalist and author Atakohu Middleton - 1.5 HOURS
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PUBLISHING — HARRIET ALLaN
Looking for expert knowledge on how traditional publishing works and what you need to do BEFORE you submit? Don’t miss this invaluable workshop with Harriet Allan - 1.5 HOURS
AFTERNOON TEA: 2:30 Pm - 3:00 PM
03:00 pm - 04:30 PM
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CRAFTING BEAUTIFUL SENTENCES — ANNE KENNEDY
Learn how to use poetic techiques to make your prose gorgeous with award-winning poet and novelist Anne Kennedy - 1.5 HOURS
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IMPROVING YOUR DIALOGUE — Steve Barr
Nailed your plot and characters but feel your dialogue could be tighter, better or just work harder? Learn how to make what your characters say (and don't say) memorable and authentic with screenwriter and development exec Steve Barr - 1.5 HOURS
FAQ
Q: Who is this workshop for?
Writers! Anyone writing and interested in improving their writing or learning new craft. There are a range of workshops - some are for aspiring writers, others are for people who have already begun their writing journey. (Get in touch if you have questions - here)
Q: What is the MINIMUM age limit?
15 years old (But we’re happy to discuss!)
Q: How Many of the workshops will I have access to?
If you’ve purchased an All Day Pass you can join as many of the workshops as you like. If you buy an Individual workshop ticket you’ll only have access to that workshop.
Q: What is the catering situation?
Morning and afternoon tea are provided. Purchasers of the All Day Pass also invited to our Saturday night Panel & Networking Drinks.
Q: Can I buy additional tickets at venue on the day?
Yes, if you want to upsize to an All Day Pass or purchase another individual ticket - no problem. You can use cash or scan a QR Code to buy on your phone.
Q: Are the tickets transferable?
From person to person or Writefest workshop to Writefest workshop - yes. Transferable to another Hey Writer event - no.
Q: What is your refund policy?
If we cancel the event for any reason - ticketholders will receive a full refund less Eventbrite fees. (NB: In case of COVID related lock downs - the event will be postponed and a postponed date will be offered shortly after announcement.)
NB: If the ticket holder wishes to cancel their Writefest 2025 registration a refund will only be issued if cancellation is a minimum of 7 days before the event. No exceptions. As tickets to this event are limited, Hey Writer cannot issue refunds or exchanges after this time.