Helen was born and raised in the UK and worked in the finance industry in London. In 2009 she opted for a change of lifestyle (and climate), and moved to New Zealand. When not working as a financial analyst, she pursues her passion for writing. THE SKIN THIEF, a grounded horror with dual historical and contemporary timelines, is her debut novel.

An award-winning author, Caroline writes creative non-fiction and fiction. She has a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Auckland and is the author of RIPIRO BEACH: A memoir life after near death (Bateman). She is currently working on her second novel. In a previous life she spent a decade at the helm of Auckland-based agency Nova Models, Talent and Actors—which provided material too fantastic not to use, one day…

Patricia is an author, editor, and proofreader. Her short stories and poems have been published in anthologies, literary journals, on radio and online, and her short stories have won and been highly commended in national writing competitions. Her debut novel, THE LIBRARY OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS, was released in March 2022, published by Cloud Ink Press. She has an MA in English literature, a postgraduate diploma in journalism. She is currently working on a second novel.

Anthony Byrt's first book, This Model World: Travels to the Edge of Contemporary Art (AUP), was shortlisted for the general non-fiction prize at the 2017 Ockham Book Awards. His second book, The Mirror Steamed Over: Love and Pop in London, 1962 (AUP), was longlisted for the same award in 2021. He is also the 2023 Kaipukahu University of Waikato Writer-in-Residence. He lives in Northland with his wife and son.

Tony was born in Belfast and now lives in Western Australia, where he works as a cybersecurity consultant by day and writes fast-paced thrillers by night. In the past, Tony has written his share of technical books and articles over the years, and with an MSc in Computer Security, he combines his love of science and technology with the intrigues of hacking and digital espionage to craft stories that deliver the the punch of action movies.

Harrison Christian is a journalist and writer. His reporting career has seen him travel extensively in the Pacific and beyond, covering such topics as rising sea levels in Arctic Alaska and the escape of political refugees from China. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and their greyhound.

A qualified dietitian with over a decade of experience specialising in infant, child and maternal nutrition, plant-based diets and sustainability and a mother of two boys, Vanessa’s first cookbook, REAL FOOD FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS (Murdoch Books, 2017) won the Smallish Design Award for Best Family Cookbook. Originally from the UK, she’s now based outside Melbourne where she runs a food and nutrition consultancy providing advice to the Australian Government, food businesses and non-profits.

Gina is Fijian, Scottish, and Welsh and lives in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Her collection of short fiction BLACK ICE MATTER won the Hubert Church Prize for Best First Book Fiction at the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. She is a qualified lawyer, holds a Master of Creative Writing, and a PhD in Creative Writing and is an Honorary Fellow in Writing at the University of Iowa. Her science fiction fantasy novel NA VIRO (Huia, 2022) is a work of Pasifikafuturism. Photo credit: Kelly Newland

Fifi is a multi award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, costume and props maker and a presenter of arts and crafts. She is a veteran of The World of WearableArt with 26 finalist and award-winning entries. Her book WEARABLE WONDERS won the Elsie Locke Award for non-fiction in 2014. Fifi holds a degree in Design and a Masters of Creative Writing. In 2020 she was awarded the Easter Michael King Writer in Residence.

Sue Copsey, writes under the pen name, Olivia Hayfield. Her novels are inspired by the history and landscapes of her native England. WIFE AFTER WIFE, is a modern retelling of the tale of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Its sequel, SISTER TO SISTER follows his daughters Elizabeth 1 and Bloody Mary into the present day as heiresses to Rose Corp.

Nikki lives in the picturesque rural town of Cambridge, New Zealand with her husband and two daughters. She has self-published two crime thrillers and sets all her stories in small rural New Zealand towns. Nikki’s first book, NOTHING BAD HAPPENS HERE, was a finalist in the Ngaio Marsh Awards, Best First Book 2018. Her second novel, NO-ONE CAN HEAR YOU has just been released. She is currently working on a new book, THE MURDER CLUB, featuring Miller Hatcher from NOTHING BAD HAPPENS HERE.

Matthew is a passionate and dedicated historian, with a Doctor of Philosophy (History) from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Underlying all of his work is a desire to communicate, explore and test complex ideas (such as scientific concepts) in a way that engages the reader, no matter what their age. His debut children’s picture book, ABIGAIL AND THE BIRTH OF THE SUN will be published by Penguin Random House in late 2018.

Jo moved from the far north of England to the Far North of Aotearoa in 2011. It’s decidedly warmer, but she misses all the ghosts. She writes in the Contemporary YA and Historical Fantasy genres. With a BA in Egyptology, an MSc in Computer Science, a job as a zookeeper and a summer turning socks inside out, she is not short of ideas for the next ones.

Susan is a New Zealand business journalist and author of fiction and non-fiction titles. She has published two books about personal finance, with Upstart and Allen & Unwin in New Zealand, and two novels with Harper Collins in the UK. She lives in Whangarei with her husband and two young children, who provide both inspiration and interruption.

Born and raised in Sweden on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, Madeleine moved to New Zealand where she now lives and works. Her novel Blood on Vines, the first instalment in The Matakana Series, is a taut thriller set in the beautiful wine region north of Auckland. The second book in the series, Rings on Water is underway.

With over 200 titles to his name Richard works as a comic writer and artist in the USA. Rebooting his top selling series BLASTOSAURUS for an American audience has proven to be a wise move, with the comic now on shelves all over the world. His best known picture books include MY GRANDPA IS A DINOSAUR, GORILLAS IN OUR MIDST and SWEET PENNY AND THE LION. His less kid friendly work can be found under his RICHARD SUX imprint.

Gigi’s first novel, The Intentions Book (VUP, 2012) was shortlisted in the 2013 New Zealand Post Book Awards. She has published short stories in various literary journals, both in New Zealand and abroad and a literary memoir Feverish (VUP, 2018). She has a PhD in creative writing from Victoria University of Wellington and various law degrees. Her novel A Good Winter is shortlisted for the Michael Gifkins Prize 2020.

Michele grew up in Sydney before moving to the UK and Canada for 20 years. On returning to Australia, she settled in Canberra. She is a former university professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor, with a PhD in psychology. Michele’s knowledge of, and passion for, psychology informs all elements of her writing. Her debut novel, THE PSYCHOPATHY PROJECT, is a page-turning mystery set on a fictional university campus.

Nova is founder and principal counsellor at Brighter Outlook - Narcissistic Abuse Counselling Service in Brisbane, Australia. Nova graduated from Australian Catholic University with a bachelor of social science in behavioural science and counselling, and will complete a bachelor of social work in 2023. She works exclusively with victims of narcissistic abuse. FAKE LOVE is her first non-fiction book.

Justin is an emerging YA writer from New York whose extensive technical background and love of all things fantasy mix with his Assyrian heritage to fuel his debut work, UNDETECTABLE. Exploring themes of identity, intergenerational misunderstandings, and our innate need for human connection, Justin immerses readers in relatable journeys told through extraordinary circumstances. His inspirations include the impressive works of Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, J.K. Rowling and N.K. Jemisin.

Originally from the UK, Nod graduated from the Hagley Writers' Institute in Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2014. Nod's short fiction has been published extensively in New Zealand and overseas. Truth Serum Press released The Crazed Wind in 2018 and Filthy Sucre in 2020. Toy Train will follow in 2021. Nod is currently working on the novel PAPER PRISON.

London-based Freddie is the author of the non-fiction book THE BIG BIKE TRIP (Penguin Random House). He’s recently completed his first novel, BECAUSE ALL FADES, and has started work on his second, MAIA. When he’s not writing (or nursing the day job to the weekend) he can be found cycling, writing music, walking in parks, or planning his next adventure.

Melissa is an award-winning author writing under various pennames—Melissa Pearl, Melody Sweet and her popular YA romance pen name: Jordan Ford. Over the past decade she has released nearly 70 original titles ranging in genre from urban fantasy, romantic suspense and her favourite—YA contemporary romance. She loves to write emotional, character-driven stories that take readers on a journey where love will ultimately win.

Elsbeth has published two nonfiction books about colonial convict history: THE GIRL WHO STOLE STOCKINGS and THE PASSAGE OF THE DAMNED. She has just finished her third book on that same subject. Elsbeth has worked as a journalist and in PR and she has an honours degree in Creative Writing from the University of Auckland.

Jack is a YA author, born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand. With his education background in psychology and his passion for raising awareness and understanding about mental health issues, Jack uses his literature as a platform to portray a realistic voice for teens as he delves into the complexities of growing up.

Danielle lives in Aotearoa with her husband and three sons. Her fiction has been published by takahē, Landfall, Headland, Penguin Group, Newsroom and Something Other Press, Paris. She was shortlisted for the Michael Gifkins Prize 2023 and Sargeson Short Story Prize 2020. Danielle is currently working on her second novel.

Dominic is an author, poet and playwright based in Auckland. His debut novel, Iceland (Steele Roberts, 2018), a New Zealand bestseller, was long-listed for the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. His poetry collection, I Thought We’d Be Famous (Dead Bird books) was published in October 2019.

Andrea is the co-author of UNDREAMED OF … 50 YEARS OF THE FRANCES HODGKINS FELLOWSHIP about 50 New Zealand artists. Her debut novel, THE VANISHING POINT, combines her knowledge and sensibility about art with her historical research skills.

Jessica Kany was born in New York City. She has a BA in English Literature. She moved to Stewart Island/Rakiura in 2002 and has been editor of the Stewart Island News (SIN) since 2005. She ran the community library for seven years and is now the Halfmoon Bay School librarian. Her debut novel set between Stewart Island and NYC is out in 2021.

Angelique was awarded the Sir James Wallace Prize for the 2016 Master of Creative Writing Programme, University of Auckland. She was the recipient of a Michael King Emerging Writers Residency in 2018 for the MS of her debut novel ISOBAR PRECINCT, which was also shortlisted for the 2019 Michael Gifkins Prize. ISOBAR PRECINCT will be published in 2021 by The Cuba Press.

Emma is a poet, author and student. As a fourth-generation Asian New Zealander, she is passionate about representation and ensuring that all voices are heard. Emma regularly performs slam poetry. Her writing was included in the anthologies A Clear Dawn (AUP) and Middle Distances (VUP). She is working on her debut novel.

Born and raised in Piedmont, Italy, Cristina started her career as a local newspaper reporter. After a spell running the press office of an MP, she moved to England, where she now lives and works. Her debut thriller Lucifer’s Game was published in October 2021 and she has now completed her second novel.

Tigga Mac is an Aussie cake decorator that has become a viral phenomenon for her incredible decorating skills and iconic voiceovers. Her social media audience has grown into a following of over two million people across multiple platforms. She and her best friend/business partner Katie are currently working on the ultimate DIY guide to cake decorating.

Tsitsi studied Bachelor of Creative Arts at Manukau Institute of Technology, where she won the Kairangatira award. She also has a MA in Creative Writing from the University of Auckland. Tsitsi is an emerging writer inspired by her dreams to write poetry and short stories. Her debut novel THE DEADLY BUSH will be published in late 2023/early 2024 by Catalyst Book Press. She is a firm believer in the magic that is in the endless puzzle of the letters of all language.

Raymond is an award-winning Animation Director, animator, illustrator, designer, musician and writer who has been working in children’s television, publishing and advertising for nearly 25 years. He has published and illustrated an impressive list of children’s picture books over this period. Raymond is currently a lecturer, teaching art and traditional 2D animation.

Pip holds a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Auckland and was awarded a Creative New Zealand/NZSA Complete Manuscript Assessment award. Pip’s debut novel, The Telling Time (Polako Press, 2020) won the 2020 First Pages Prize, judged by an international panel and Sebastian Faulks, OBE.

Angus McLean is the pen name of a South Auckland police detective, who draws on his nearly 30 years of crime fighting experience in his action-packed thrillers in the spy, war and post-apocalyptic genres, as well as light-hearted private eye yarns. He has self-published over 20 titles and is working on middle-grade mysteries for the next generation of readers.

Karen is the author of 19 books, a mixture of fiction, non-fiction and children’s titles. She is a regular with local media outlets, including book reviews on TV and radio, and is in demand as a guest speaker for events and festivals. She is the Director of NZ Booklovers, an online hub for books, and she instigated the annual NZ Booklovers Awards.

A general surgeon with a sub-speciality interest in breast cancer and reconstruction, Ineke works and lives between New Zealand and Paris, France. She has a clinical advisory role for Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand and is a former lecturer for the Wellington Medical School. Her debut memoir (acquired by HarperCollins) explores the highs and lows of a female general surgeon.

Kyle Mewburn is one of New Zealand's most eclectic writers. Her picture books are noted for being multi-layered, funny and linguistically creative. Her titles have been published in a dozen countries and won numerous awards including Children's Book of the Year. As well as picture books, Kyle has published several best-selling junior fiction series, notably DINOSAUR RESCUE and DRAGON KNIGHT. She was the Children’s Writer in Residence at Otago University in 2011 and President of the NZSA.