Julie is a published non-fiction author and an experienced local business owner. She is currently working on an epic dystopian novel set on an unnamed continent in the year 2170. Her favourite authors are Barbara Kingsolver and Hugh Howey, and her favourite writing snack is green tea latte.
Paul is a graduate from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and is completing a PhD in Creative Writing at Massey University. He has published short stories and flash fiction, and his debut novel is due out in 2022. His favourite authors are Shirley Jackson and Iain Banks and his writing is fuelled by coffee. He is represented by High Spot Literary Agency.
Ellie has a background in social and environmental research and related writing. Her current fiction project is a contemporary family saga set in Finland, where she grew up. Her favourite authors are Audrey Niffenegger and Zadie Smith, and her favourite writing snack is liquorice.
Sharni is a writer of fiction and a literary translator from the Japanese. Her work has appeared in various journals and anthologies, including Takahē magazine and Best of Auckland, and she is currently working on a novel set in Japan. She’s been reading Tomoka Shibasaki and Natsuko Imamura most recently, and her favourite writing snack is vegemite on toast.