Best selling writer Tessa Duder will be the special guest speaker at the launch of the NZ Society of Authors' Manukau Counties Writers' Group at the Manurewa Library on Saturday 12 June 2004. This is a remarkable coup for a new writers' group that only started its first "chapter" a few months ago.Best selling writer Tessa Duder will be the special guest speaker at the launch of the NZ Society of Authors' Manukau Counties Writers' Group at the Manurewa Library on Saturday 12 June 2004. This is a remarkable coup for a new writers' group that only started its first "chapter" a few months ago.
Tessa who was the 2003 recipient of New Zealand's most prestigious literary award, the Meridian Energy Katherine Mansfield Memorial Fellowship, is one of New Zealand's most successful writers. Her top selling novels for young people, including Jellybean, the Alex series and her new character Tiggie Thompson, are loved and respected by children and adults alike. She has also successfully edited a number of anthologies, including the award winning A Book of Pacific Lullabies. As a fulltime writer for more than 20 years, Tessa has also published non-fiction for children and adults and has written for theatre and television.

The members of the newly formed NZ Society of Authors (NZSA) Manukau Counties Writers' Group put their talents to work by writing to Tessa to invite her to speak at their official launch and were delighted when she readily agreed. At the launch Tessa will be talking about what it is really like to be an author, how she stays motivated and about her time at Menton. Jocelyn Watkin, secretary for the NZSA Manukau Counties Writers' Group says "This is a wonderful opportunity for any Manukau Counties writer, and would-be writers, to hear a real live author speak. Someone who is really living the dream of working as an author".
The recently established group meets monthly in Manurewa to hear a variety of guest speakers talk, discuss writing, hold workshops and promote writing and writers of the Manukau Counties area.

The NZSA is an organisation that represents the professional interests of New Zealand writers. Nationally, it has over 900 members from a wide range of genres from adult and children's fiction to poetry, plays, non-fiction, management, academic and spiritual writing. Liz Allen, Executive Director for the NZ Society of Authors (NZSA) says, "It is important to have writers groups that represent who we are, and that promote literary culture. We actively encourage membership from writers at the beginning of their careers. The Manukau Counties Writers' Group launch is a great way for anyone to come along to meet a top New Zealand author and to find out more about the benefits of joining NZSA".

The launch will also provide an opportunity for Manukau Counties writers to meet other writers in the area. There is no charge to attend this event, which has been made possible by a grant from the Manukau City Council Creative Communities Assessment Committee.
The NZSA Manukau Counties Writers' Group Launch
The Community Room of the Manurewa Library, Hill Road, Manurewa
1.00 pm - 3pm, Saturday 12 June

The NZSA Manukau Counties Writers Group meets the first Thursday of each month at Nathan Homestead, Hill Road, Manurewa, at 1pm.

Ends.
For further information
Jeanine Gribbin
NZ Society of Authors Manukau Counties Writers' Group
Tel 09 267 7753 or Mobile 021 1482515
Email: jgribbin@slingshot.co.nz

Jocelyn Watkin
Secretary
NZ Society of Authors Manukau Counties Writers' Group
Tel 09 267 7912 or Mobile: 027 493 9851
Email:jwatkin@clear.net.nz