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). 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.

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.

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.

Aimee is an award-nominated author and recipient of the Writers Victoria Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund. She has written 10 picture books, one which she adapted into a stage show that toured NSW and Victoria. Aimee has created multiple podcasts including Mother Country for SBS, public art exhibitions including Juvenilia. Her work has been published by CNN, Harper's BAZAAR, ELLE, The Weekend Australian and The Straits Times.

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

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Born in Sydney yet Irish made, Tara is a writer and health professional, with leanings towards performer, songwriter, photographer and poet. Her love of travel, dark humour, intrigue into life, death and the in-between, along with her obsession with all things Irish and Scottish have influenced her writing possibly too much.

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.

Born in Sydney, Nick now lives near the coast in Perth. This beachside suburb is where his domestic thriller debut novel, ALL THE LIES SHE KNOWS is set. Working in mining during the day, you can find behind his laptop at night as he works on his second novel.

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.

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.

Ellie is an author, editor, and owner of a small company that works with filmmakers, podcasters, and journalists from all over the world. Raised in Port Angeles, WA, she now lives just outside of New York city. Aside from writing she spends her time wrangling 4 wild kids, is a classically-trained pianist, and is a member of a railroad family.