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Poetry/Prose/Short Stories Resources

These resources are aimed to support your writing of poetry and prose.

Everything you need

Click on one of the icons below to explore our resources.

These resources are still being developed. Apologies for the inconvenience.



Writing Prompts

Need to be inspired? Feel free to use one of our prompts to spark fresh ideas.



How to get published

Learn the different possible routes for publication.



Writing Guides/Tips

Explore different writing structures and general tips that could elevate your work.

FAQ's

Here are some common questions about poetry, prose, and short stories.

Poetry:

Uses line breaks and uses rhyme and rhythm as a structure to convey more abstract constructs. Poetry has more flexibility in structure than Prose.

Prose:

Prose often follows more structured language patterns such as paragraphs and complete sentences. It creates more of a conversational flow than poetry.

Short stories usually range anywhere between 1,000-7,000  words, but you shouldn't worry about hitting a certain number. Short stories typically don't have chapters as it's intended to be read in one sitting. However, the author may choose to ignore this and include chapters to breakdown the story or to highlight an idea or plot point.

Kiwi Authors

Here are some Kiwi Poets and Authors we recommend exploring.

Frank Sargeson

Sargeson was a significantly influential short story author and novelist from the 1930s to 1980s. His work explored the New Zealand identity, gender roles, and reflected his struggles with ostracisation. In 1929, Sargeson was convicted of having relations with another man, as homosexuality was then illegal in Aotearoa.

James K. Baxter

Baxter's was well known for his commentary on injustices in Aotearoa, including the mistreatment of Māori. His poetry centred around isolation and solitude in New Zealand.

Tusiata Avia MNZM

 Avia navigates cross-cultural themes in her work and criticises colonial powers. She has written in a range of mediums.

“Tusiata Avia's poetry is quite revolutionary in the sense that, not only does it define the face of Pacific literature in New Zealand, but it redefines the face of New Zealand literature itself.” – poet and novelist Sia Figiel.