The North Shore Libraries' Foundation is proud to host a special event: the exhibition of distinguished photographer John McDermott's photo portraits, and the North Shore launch of oral historian and writer Deborah Shepard's book, 'The Writing Life: Twelve New Zealand Authors.' 

'The Writing Life' is a candid and intimate survey of the life and work of twelve acclaimed writers: Patricia Grace, Tessa Duder, Owen Marshall, Philip Temple, David Hill, Joy Cowley, Vincent O’Sullivan, Albert Wendt, Marilyn Duckworth, Chris Else, Fiona Kidman and Witi Ihimaera, 

Constructed as Q&As with Deborah Shepard, they offer a marvellous insight into their careers. As a group they are now the ‘elders’ of New Zealand literature; they forged the path for the current generation. Together the authors trace their publishing and literary history from 1959 to 2018, through what might now be viewed as a golden era of publishing into the more unsettled climate of today. They address universal themes: the death of parents and loved ones, the good things that come with ageing, mortality, the components of a satisfying life, the joy of writing, and much more. And they give advice on writing. 

The book has a historical continuity, showing fruitful and fascinating links between individuals who have negotiated the same literary terrain for more than sixty years. To further honour them are dramatic photo portraits by John McDermott, which were commissioned by publisher Massey University Press for this project. These photos have been printed and framed courtesy of the North Shore Libraries Foundation and will form the basis of a travelling exhibition for Auckland Libraries.

'The Writing Life' has its origins in an oral history project conceived in 1995 by Philip Temple and the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA), with the aim of gathering information from distinguished members about their involvement in, and contribution to, the Society.