NEWS

Book Titles

2011-05-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Over the last twelve months I have been paying a lot of attention to book titles because for the first time in my writing career I finished a tenth draft of a work of fiction without knowing what I would call it. Usually I have a title before I write a single word so it was somewhat disconcerting to work on a nameless novel. Luckily, a writer who, like me, is completing a PhD in Creative Writing at the IILM, Victoria University of Wellington, made a great suggestion after reading my manuscript. My Penguin publisher tweaked the title slightly then registered Lives We Leave Behind on the Penguin (NZ) database. I love the title. It fits the story perfectly. I am now happily working on the eleventh draft. My novel will be published in 2012.

Ribbons of Grace now available in eBook format

2011-04-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

Ribbons of Grace, published by Penguin NZ in 2007, is now available in eBook format globally through Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ and affiliated international retailers. Readers now have a choice of purchasing a 2nd edition 2008 paperback copy from New Zealand and Australian bookshops or purchasing Ribbons of Grace through the Kobo website and those websites of affiliated retailers for direct download to Kobo and Sony eBook readers, as well as via apps for iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone and other smart phones. Thanks Penguin staff for including my novel in your eBook list.

National Tertiary Teaching Award

2010-08-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

I had an extra trip to Wellington this month to receive a 2010 Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award at a ceremony held in the Banquet Hall at Parliament Buildings. It was an honour and a privilege to celebrate my love of learning and teaching in the company of the Minister of Education, Ako Aotearoa Academy staff, selection panel members, fellow awardees, colleagues, friends and my daughter Kate. We had this photo taken after the ceremony.

Like all nominees, I had to submit a portfolio. While Ako Aotearoa provides guidelines, headings and criteria, I had to reflect on and write about the influences that have shaped my thirty-year teaching career and reveal aspects of my personality. Here is an extract from the beginning of my portfolio.

OVERVIEW
I am a principal lecturer with almost three decades of tertiary teaching experience, primarily in New Zealand, but also interspersed with periods in the United Kingdom. My education, however, as a learner and a practitioner, has taken a circuitous route, due to my voracious appetite for reading and imaginative play. Fortunately, my parents valued creativity, allowing their backyard to morph into a circus arena, a theatre, a mobile library, an obstacle course, all of which helped to expand my understanding of self, others and the world in which I lived.

From an early age, I kept a notebook for ‘Ideas’, putting many into practice. For example, as an eight-year-old, I studied the habits of birds, meticulously recording weather patterns for months before attempting to fly off my father’s henhouse roof. Not a successful project in terms of achieving my aim, but worthwhile learning still occurred: I developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of winged creatures, including their feeding and migratory patterns, and a rudimentary appreciation of aerodynamics and meteorology.

Not surprisingly, I viewed primary school as an intrusion, believing teachers were harming my brain by insisting I take subjects, such as mathematics, at set times, on certain days. My view did not change when I went to secondary school, although I did encounter one history teacher who breathed life into his lessons and therefore into me.

It was not until the 70’s when as a young mother interested in human development, I conceded that a formal education might be worth pursuing. I enrolled extramurally in a Bachelor of Arts at Massey University, studying in my own time, at my own pace.

This background informed the way I taught in my early career, which began in the 80’s at Southland Polytechnic (Southern Institute of Technology), where I worked with two specific learner groups referred to then as ‘youth at risk’ and ‘special needs’. These students had diverse and often challenging learning requirements, as well as varying levels of motivation. Most disliked or could not manage traditional reading / writing approaches, so together we devised learning strategies based on their needs, interests and cultural backgrounds.

My development as a learner-centred lecturer, reflective practitioner and narrative-based researcher owes much to these students. They taught me to listen, to value diversity, to attend to process and most of all to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

In 1990, I moved to Dunedin to take up a full-time lecturing and staff development role at Otago Polytechnic. I also transferred as a student to the University of Otago and completed my first degree. A Diploma in Teaching (Tertiary) followed, then a Master of Arts (awarded with distinction in Education).

Now in my twentieth year at Otago Polytechnic, I teach a range of students – from those enrolled at certificate level through to those engage in postgraduate work. In addition, I facilitate small groups and deliver guest lectures. My subjects include reflective practice, narrative methodologies, self and peer review processes, scholarly writing and digital storytelling. I also mentor staff in curriculum development, support those undertaking special projects and conduct teaching observations for new and experienced lecturers. My commitment to learning and teaching continues to flourish as demonstrated in my portfolio.

Book Groups

2009-11-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

One of the real joys for me as a writer is meeting readers who are genuinely interested in the genesis of a work and the process involved in turning an idea into a full-length novel. Our interactions often lead to rich and satisfying conversations that invariably leave me thinking more deeply about the connections between readers and writers. Not surprisingly, I enjoy talking to members of book clubs. I recently spent a lovely evening with members of a Dunedin group. On November 14th, I will be in Turangi talking to women in two North Island book clubs. Early December I am looking forward to meeting Cromwell readers then a week later members of an Invercargill book group. Thank you for inviting me to spend time with you.

PhD in Creative Writing

2009-07-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

Over the next few years I will clock up plenty of air miles as I travel from Dunedin to the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington where I am enrolled in a PhD in Creative Writing programme. I meet regularly with my two supervisors, Bill Manhire and Pamela Wood, and I also take part in student discussions and presentations. It’s a privilege to study and write in such a supportive environment.

I am currently working on my creative component which is a novel entitled 'Let Your Heart Be Afraid', focussing on the experiences of a group of New Zealand nurses on active service in Egypt and France during the First World War. This novel will be published by Penguin Group (NZ). My critical component explores nurses’ firsthand experiences as represented in their memoirs, historians’ representations of this material, and fiction written by several of the nurses after the war which draws on and also fictionalises their experiences.

Writing Offshore

2009-03-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

I’m currently in sunny Western Australia working on my new novel which is humming along now that I’m giving it the full-time attention it deserves. Most days I write from 7.30am to 2.30pm then take in the sights, often from the deck of a boat meandering down the river or canals. Late afternoon I return to the office, read over my morning’s work and make notes for the next day, an ideal rhythm for this early first draft stage.

Mandurah Library Presentations
On Thursday 26th March I’m giving two talks at the Mandurah Library as part of their Writers in Libraries programme. The first presentation, entitled ‘Writing Fiction: Influences and Experiences’, tracks my development as a writer of fiction, and begins at 2pm. After questions from the audience, we’ll take a short break before I present my second session, ‘Telling Our Personal Stories', which focuses on my narrative research and work with digital storytelling. Again there’ll be opportunities for discussion and the sharing of ideas, particularly those related to the Lives Past project.

I’m looking forward to meeting lots of West Australians and visitors to the beautiful Mandurah area.

Dunedin Public Library Event – My Writing: how it began

2008-10-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

October through to December is a busy time at Dunedin Public Library. Lots of events are on offer to celebrate the library’s fast approaching 100th birthday. On Wednesday 29 October, 7.30pm, I’m sharing the spotlight with Penelope Todd. We’re talking about our writing careers, how we began to write, where we get our ideas from and how we got into print. It'll be great to share our stories with Dunedin book lovers.

Next Festival Appearance

2008-08-10T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Press Christchurch Writers Festival runs between 4 – 7 September and is jammed packed with national and international writers talking about wide-ranging topics. The Christchurch Book Festival Trust and The Press Christchurch Writers’ Festival Management Team’s theme for 2008 is ‘Getting between the Covers’. I certainly want to go to many of the sessions. I’m appearing on a panel with Mark Sarvas, Anya Ulinich and Christine Luenens on Friday 5 September, 1.30 – 2.45pm, in the Conference Room. Our session is entitled ‘It’s Not About Me – Or is it?’ Our Chair is Rachel King, current Ursula Bethell Writer in Residence at the University of Canterbury. Come along and join us!

‘Ribbons of Grace’ makes the shortlist for the Nielsen BookData NZ Booksellers’ Choice Award 2008

2008-06-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

This award acknowledges the critical role booksellers play in supporting New Zealand writing and publishing. Our booksellers vote for the book they most enjoyed reading, selling and promoting over the last year. Contenders for the 2008 award include two novels and five non-fiction works. It’s a thrill to have my novel recognised in this way. I’m also delighted to be listed alongside the other six authors and their superb books.

The winner will be announced in Wellington at the 2008 Book Industry Awards and Conference Dinner on Sunday 20 July 2008.

Short Story on Radio National New Zealand

2008-06-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

I’m a big fan of short fiction. I enjoy reading, writing and listening to short stories. My bookcases at home are lined with collections written by authors from a range of countries. I buy more short story collections than I do novels. One of my own stories is on radio this week. The following details were published on the web by Radio National.

Wednesday 2 July 2008
Stories Bodies Tell by Maxine Alterio
An embalmer with abandonment issues wrestles with how he’s going to tell the woman he loves what he does for a living, without scaring her off.
Read by Julian Wilson
Published by Vintage
ISBN Number: 1-86941-797-6
Episode 1 of 2

Thursday 3 July 2008
Stories Bodies Tell by Maxine Alterio
Episode 2 of 2

Yes, like my historical novel ‘Ribbons of Grace’, this contemporary short story is also set in Central Otago.

Enjoy!

Win a copy of 'Ribbons of Grace'

2008-06-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

The current issue (19) of the fab magazine NZ Life and Leisure has 3 copies of Ribbons of Grace to give away. To enter the competition click www.nzlifeandleisure.co.nz/node/903

You might also want to pick up a copy of the magazine to read a feature article entitled ‘Ribbons of Memory’ in which I describe what inspired me to write this novel. Happy reading!

Mslexia

2008-05-31T00:05:00.001-07:00

Mslexia is a magazine for anyone who writes, teaches creative writing or wants to keep up with what’s happening in literature and journalism. The latest issue is always a welcome sight in my letterbox. I recently appeared in a section entitled OUT NOW, Issue 37, April / May / June 2008, where writers share their publication stories.

Check out www.mslexia.co.uk for further information.

Auckland Writers and Readers Festival (AWRF)

2008-04-24T22:42:00.002-07:00

The 2008 AWRF starts on 14 May. Creative Directors Peter Wells and Stephanie Johnson’s catch cry for this year’s event is “Let’s talk up a storm”. With nineteen internationals and over ninety New Zealand based writers, editors and publishers, a veritable gale, with diverse, stimulating and entertaining weather patterns, is predicted. I’m appearing on a panel with Dominican-American Junot Díaz and Chinese-Welsh Peter Ho Davies. We’re in the ASB Theatre - Aotea Centre, 15 May, 4.30-5.30pm. Our session is entitled Bloodlines: Do genetics dictate story? James George is the Chair.

2008 Edition

2008-04-24T22:42:00.001-07:00

In March 2008, following excellent sales of the 2007 edition in the larger C-format, a new edition of Ribbons of Grace, in B-format, was released. Sincere thanks to all the readers who contributed to this development.

Book Launch

2008-04-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

Ribbons of Grace was launched by artist and poet, Claire Beynon, on a balmy September 2007 evening at the Executive Residence, University of Otago, Dunedin. Auckland based Penguin publisher, Geoff Walker, and his partner, writer Sue Reidy, joined the celebratory group of family and friends, which included many wonderful women from Claire and my writing group – Eva, Kath, Martha, Huberta, Paddy, Jackie, Elizabeth, Shirley and Beatrice. Marcus Turner played Orcadian fiddle music as a tribute to one of the novel’s characters. We drank Central Otago wine, ate glorious food prepared by Roz Mason and generally enjoyed ourselves. My first novel was finally ready to leave home!

Book Deal

2008-04-23T19:09:00.001-07:00

In August 2006 I signed a two-book contract with Penguin Group (NZ), a highlight in my writing career, as I had long fantasised about having a novel with an orange penguin on the spine. My contract came about after I sent my manuscript, Ribbons of Grace, to Penguin and another large publishing company who also offered me a contract, although just for the one book. The lure of a Penguin and the offer of their two-book deal proved irresistible, especially after my trip to Auckland to meet the Penguin team who proved to be great fun, as well as highly professional.

Then the hard work began. Over the next few months, under Geoff Walker and Rebecca Lal’s astute tutelage, I reworked the manuscript until it was ready to go to an external editor. This phase was a significant learning curve for me. While I am a confident academic writer and have in recent years also developed some skills in short fiction, Ribbons of Grace was my first novel. I had a lot to learn. It was an important book for me – one I had wanted to write since childhood when I was present at a party in Arrowtown, Central Otago, New Zealand, and overheard an adult conversation about a Chinese miner who was discovered to be female after he died.