Hey Writer, looking to improve your writing craft, learn new skills, shift the dial or just connect with a writing community? This event is so for you.

Writefest annually brings an amazing group of tutors and wordsmiths together under one roof to inspire and teach you a broad range of writing skills over one creatively stimulating day AND this year we're opening Writefest on Saturday night with a panel and networking drinks 4.30pm 19th July. Our Hot Topic: Working with A.I - the good, bad and ugly.

All of the Writefest tutors are successful, working writers so this is a great opportunity to learn, upskill and get inspired by the best whether you’re brand new or you've been writing for a while.

8 WORKSHOPS, 6 TUTORS, 3 COFFEE BREAKS OVER ONE AWESOME DAY.

"Always fun with fresh topics and inspiring speakers, Writefest is the one big writing event that I look out for every year." Robyn Welsh

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WRITEFEST OPENING EVENT - Saturday 19th July

Working with A.I Panel Discussion - the good, bad and ugly.

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 4pm Saturday 19th July to dig into the good, bad and ugly of working with AI.

WRITEFEST 2025 WORKSHOPS - Sunday 20th July

- FIRE UP YOUR STORY ENGINE: 90 minutes of creatively stimulating writing sprints with Award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett

- PITCH ON THE PAGE: 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.

- CRAFTING SHORT STORIES: What makes for a great short story? Learn the nuts and bolts with award-winning novelist Caroline Barron

- CRAFT BEAUTIFUL SENTENCES: Learn how to use poetic techiques to make your prose gorgeous with award-winning poet and novelist Anne Kennedy

- START YOUR NON-FICTION BOOK : Start turning your experience and expertise into compelling non-fiction with award-winning journalist and author Atakohu Middleton

- SURVIVING FEEDBACK: 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

- GET THE LOWDOWN ON PUBLISHING: Looking for expert knowledge on how publishing works and what you need to do BEFORE you submit? Don’t miss this invaluable workshop with Harriet Allan.

- IMPROVE YOUR DIALOGUE: 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.