The Mana Mangere writers’ collective would like to continue in celebrating the writings of local writers for a fourth collection of short stories and poetry that feature intergenerational writings with workshops to be held at Mangere Town Centre library on writing responses to life experiences during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 virus in 2020.
The Mana Mangere writers’ collective usually meet bi-monthly since 2017 but since the Lockdown in March we have not been able to meet regularly as we have some members who would be deemed vulnerable in public spaces. However, we are still able to converse via social media on our Facebook page and email. We have established that each writer must have a connection to Mangere and/or Otahuhu either in living, working or studying in the region.
The purpose for the book is to share local inspirational short stories and poetry of each writer as a response to experiences during this time. What has become very acute is the understanding that the most vulnerable are those who are elderly and also those who are immune compromised with health issues.
The writing workshops at the local library are held to support those registered to hone their skills with one to one support to the point of publishing the book.
All writers whose writings are selected to be published in the book will be invited to attend the book launch with a date yet to be confirmed.
ABOUT Helen Tau’au-Filisi
This year, I’m currently living, working and studying in Mangere with now 18 self-published books. I’d like to extend the offering to have 3 x 2 hour workshops at Mangere Town centre library to work on two genre for submitting writing pieces to be considered for the collection.
I have taught short stories and poetry writing as a qualified high school English teacher (many years ago). I am confident and happy to facilitate workshops for any aged persons from 8 – 80+ years towards submitting for publishing as I have done in the past few years for the series.
· Currently studying towards a Doctorate in Indigenous studies (since 2018) Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi
· Masters in Creative writing (2013) specialising in poetry and novel writing at AUT University
· Master of Arts (1990) specialising in Human Geography with English as a second major at Auckland University
· Diploma of secondary teaching (1990) specialising in English, Geography and Social sciences at ACE Auckland College of Education
· Bachelor of Arts (1988) double major in English and Geography at Auckland University
Contact Helen to be involved:
Helen Tau’au-Filisi
Mobile: (021) 0411 328
Email: helentauaufilisi@gmail.com
Website: www.helentauaufilisi.com
Image
As the editor, I would like to use this image by New Zealand Samoan local artist (Mangere), Maria Tauau, who is currently studying towards a Masters degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Mangere campus.
The artwork is called “Traditional Sunrise” (2020) as the cover art image to be wrapped around the book cover as it invokes the idea of “intergenerational echoes” during this time of the pandemic and to give hope and positivity to readers.
