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.

Based in Melbourne/Naam Australia, Sal is a writer and film maker. Obsessed by the concept of macro and micro – or the story device of the Trojan horse – her story telling takes us inside intimate moments before exploding to expose the very real and raw impacts of human choices. IN EXCHANGE FOR A LION 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) and the novel GOLDEN DAYS (Affirm Press). 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.

Ewa is a physical culturist and wellness entrepreneur. An avid weightlifting and hand-standing yogi in her 50s, she teaches movement through her brand Vital Energy|Vital Movement to a worldwide audience. Her current project is a commentary on popular fitness culture, its deadly impact on the wellbeing of women in their later decades and how to re-claim ownership of health and physical independence as you age.

Elaine is a Londoner who now calls New Zealand home. In 2018 she won the Joy Cowley award and is the author of two picture books including New York Times bestselling THE LITTLE GHOST WHO LOST HER BOO! Elaine has a BA in English Literature and had a long career in magazine publishing and in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi. She now spends her time writing picture books while bringing up her three children.

Emily is the Managing Director of Heft Communications, specialising in government and media relations. She spent her twenties working in parliament as a political advisor. Her short stories have appeared in print and online. She has been shortlisted twice for the Bridport Prize and once for the Commonwealth Prize. Emily is the founder and editor-in-chief of Folly, an anthology of short fiction, poetry, nonfiction and art. Her own fiction hinges on satire, drawing from the world around her.

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.

Andreea Calude has a PhD in linguistics and a Bachelor in Mathematics. She’s an author and academic at the University of Waikato. Andreea is regularly featured on TV (on TVNZ's Breakfast and Seven Sharp, TV3's The Project), radio (RNZ, FreeFM, bFM, ABC radio in Australia) and in Stuff news, the NZ Herald, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and other newspapers. She lives in Hamilton, NZ. (Link to Andreea's website below.)

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 writer from Auckland, New Zealand. He is the author of the acclaimed nonfiction books MEN WITHOUT COUNTRY (2021) and SHOULD WE FALL TO RUIN (2022) both with Ultimo Press. His third book TERRA NOVA, also with Ultimo Press, is forthcoming in 2024.

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

Anne lives in Melbourne, Australia. Her articles have appeared in major Australian newspapers, industry and lifestyle publications. Her short-stories have been published in anthologies and received awards. Her 2018 memoir, Two Generations, was shortlisted for the Les Carlyon Australian War Memorial Literary Award 2020 . She studied creative writing at Deakin in Melbourne Australia and the University of Oxford, UK.

Sue Copsey, writes under the pen name, Olivia Hayfield. Her novels are inspired by the history and landscapes of her native England. Her books WIFE AFTER WIFE, SISTER TO SISTER and NOTORIOUS are all modern day retellings involving recognisable historical figures, many of them royalty. Sue divides her time between New Zealand and the UK.

Nikki is the author of TO THE SEA and IN HER BLOOD (HarperCollins, 2021 and 2022). Prior to this, she self-published three police procedurals set in NZ, and has been a finalist in the Ngaio Marsh Awards twice. She has been published in Flash Frontier, Mayhem Literary Journal, Bonsai: Best Small Stories from Aotearoa NZ and Fresh Ink.

As a journalist Elisabeth writes for a variety of publications about everything from culture to conservation, people to places, and books. She is also a voice artist, a broadcaster and an actress who’ll be familiar to fans of Shortland Street for playing the soap’s very first murderer. Elisabeth’s debut novel SEED is an adaption of her award-winning play of the same name.

Based in Naarm Melbourne, Meg is a creativity coach and writing retreat and workshop facilitator. Her short stories and poetry are published in various anthologies. Her short stories have been longlisted and highly commended in national and international competitions. She’s currently working on her second novel.

Abbie lives in Derbyshire, England, and is an emerging YA author who writes stories about magic, love, and dragons. When not writing or reading all things fantasy, she can be found with her horses (who often resemble dragons themselves!) Abbie is currently working on her debut novel.

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 and RINGS ON WATER are the first two books in a crime series - Matakana Series, taut thrillers set in the beautiful wine region north of Auckland.

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 (Text Publishing) won the Michael Gifkins Prize in 2020 and has been optioned for theatre.

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.

Alice works as a freelance editor for intergovernmental and other organisations that are focused on addressing global challenges such as climate change through science and policy. When not editing, she explores the world through reading and writing fiction. Her first novel is out on submission and her second is in progress. Though she has family connections to Eastern Europe and once had a lovely spell in Italy, she was born in Sydney and now lives in Melbourne, Australia.

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 completed a bachelor of social work in 2023. She works exclusively with victims of narcissistic abuse. FAKE LOVE is her first non-fiction book.

Nod Ghosh was born in the UK and currently lives in Aotearoa New Zealand. She is a graduate of the Hagley Writers’ Institute and her writing has been published in NZ, the UK, Australia and the US. Nod is the author of the novellas The Crazed Wind (2018), Filthy Sucre (2020), Toy Train (2021), and Love, Lemons and Illicit Sex (2023), all from Truth Serum Press and Throw a Seven (Reflex Press, 2023) and The Two-Tailed Snake (Fairlight Books, 2023). She is currently working on a novel.

London-based Freddie is the author of the non-fiction book THE BIG BIKE TRIP (Penguin Random House). His debut novel, BECAUSE ALL FADES (Bateman Books) was published in 2024, and he is currently working on new projects. When he’s not writing fiction he can be found writing music.

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.

Madison is an award-winning author, book editor and PhD candidate who lives in Wellington with her six flatmates. Her autistic special interest is using creative writing to interrogate the weirdest and funniest moments of human interaction. Her personal essay collection, Specimen, won the Best First Book Award for general non-fiction at the 2021 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

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.

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 (Ultimo Press), combines her vast knowledge and sensibility about art with her historical research skills. She is working on a new novel.

Born in Sydney, Nick now lives near the coast in Perth. However it is the Sunshine Coast on the opposite side of the country where his domestic thriller debut novel, THE LAST DAYS OF RUBY JONES is set. Working in mining during the day, you can find him behind his laptop at night as he works on his second novel.

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.

Kerri was a screenwriter at Netflix before moving into the literary world of speculative fiction; her novels take place between the lines of reality and the rest. Her first book was developed into a feature film which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

Dami moved to New Zealand from Seoul as a teenager. She studied at Victoria University of Wellington and earned a Bachelor of Music (BMus) from the Korean National University of Arts. Her first novel, The Girls in the Air, was published in Korea in 2011 and selected as one of 10 books on the 17th Busan International Film Festival’s ‘Book to Film’ list. She won the 2021 International Proverse Prize with her English novel Jane, Frank, and Mia, which was published in Hong Kong.

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 (Catalyst Press) was published in the US in 2023 and South Africa in 2024. She is currently working on a second novel, also set in Zimbabwe

Linda was born in Sydney, forever thankful her father and grandparents received transit visas from Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, which enabled them to enter Japan and escape the Holocaust - and ultimately find a permanent, safe home in Australia in 1941. The remainder of her family perished. Linda spent 30 years in the advertising industry before she wrote her family's story as a film, currently in development. The novel, The Star on the Grave grew organically from the screenplay.

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.

Once a professional measurer of caterpillar heads, Ian McGee was lured into the world of wildlife filmmaking where he wrote and produced hundreds of natural history documentaries for the Discovery Network, National Geographic, and TVNZ. Along the way he won an Emmy Award for writing the Animal Planet series TWISTED TALES, before creating the children's television network ZooMoo.