Applications open for Te Papa Tupu 2018

30 January 2017
Applications open for Te Papa Tupu 2018 for six aspiring Māori writers

Māori writers once again have an opportunity to grow their skills and fine-tune their writing in Te Papa Tupu, a writing programme developed by the Māori Literature Trust and organised by Huia Publishers.

Chosen writers will spend six months working alongside a mentor to develop their manuscript and improve their writing skills, all to meet the end goal of having a publishable manuscript. Writers will also receive financial support, attend workshops and a national writers festival, and become part of a writing community.

Robyn Bargh, chairperson of the Māori Literature Trust says, 'This is a great opportunity for budding Māori writers. The programme gives them the chance to focus on their writing, work with their mentors and discuss their work with the other writers.'

Established in 2010, writers have gone on to have their work published. Jacquie McRae’s first novel The Scent of Apples was completed on Te Papa Tupu and won a gold medal in the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) in New York. University student, Tihema Baker developed his debut novel Watched and, Fred Te Maro’s Tūtewehi was the first Māori language book to be published from Te Papa Tupu.

Lauren Keenan who completed Te Papa Tupu in 2016 turned six short stories into a complete novel. She says, “The process has given me more confidence as a writer. Since Te Papa Tupu, I’ve had a handful of articles published in an online magazine, and am approaching my next project, a novel, with much more confidence. I now openly talk about my writing and being a writer."

Steph Matuku is set to publish her debut novel with Huia Publishers this year and says, “I’ve learnt so much about the technical side of writing – all invaluable stuff because I’ve never done any of those flash Varsity writing courses or anything. I don’t know the little tricks that turn alright writing into awesome writing.”

Who can apply?
Māori writers who live in Aotearoa and have a completed manuscript.
Writers of novels, short stories, children’s books, young adult books and non-fiction written in English or te reo Māori.

Writers who are committed to attend, learn and fulfil their dream of being published.
Applications are open now and close 30 April 2018.

ENDS

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