Youth and adult speculative fiction writing workshops plus awards gala with panel and guest speaker.

9:30-10:30 am: Youth workshop – Four building blocks of great stories – S R Manssen

​Want to make your good story GREAT? Come along to this interactive workshop to explore the four building blocks of great speculative fiction. Please note: This writing workshop is for high school students in years 11-13 only.

​11:00-12:00pm: Youth workshop – Worldbuilding with Jan Goldie

Step through the portal to a fantasy world of your own creation in this interactive writing workshop for students with acclaimed author J. M. Goldie. Bring your imagination and a sense of adventure! Please note: This writing workshop is for high school students in years 9 & 10 only.

​1:00-4:00pm: SpecFicNZ Presents Adult Professional Development Writing Workshops

Workshop 1: Joshua T. Calvert on marketing your book

Workshop 2: Melissa Gunn on creating and publishing audiobooks

Workshop 3: Gareth Ward on character development

​6:00-9:00pm: Te Pae Tawhiti Awards Gala 2026

​The awards evening will include the presentation of the inaugural Te Pae Tawhiti Awards for Speculative Fiction. Keynote speaker: Pip Adam. Panellists: David Hair, Gareth Ward, Jade Kake, and Pip Adam, with moderator Lee Murray.

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