writer in residence 2023
Expressions of interest are open now and will close on 31 March 2023.
We are excited to announce the 2023 Dan Davin Writers Residency is open for Expressions of Interest. Details below:
Dan Davin Literary Foundation Writer in Residence 2023 – Expressions of Interest
In 2023 the Dan Davin Literary Foundation is calling for expressions of interest from established New Zealand short story writers to undertake a Writer in Residence based in Invercargill for 3-6 weeks.
This is a new residency which we host on a biennial basis and started in 2019. This residency has been made possible through a generous bequest from Laurie King and the support of the Southern Institute of Technology.
In 2019 our inaugural writers in residents were Majella Cullinane and Maxine Alterio of Dunedin. They undertook a joint residency for 6 weeks in Southland. As part of their stay they went above and beyond hosting a range of workshops and public talks across the region. We appreciate the great start they gave us for this residency programme. In 2021 we hosted Colleen Maria Lenihan, who arrived just in time for the August lock down. Despite this she was still able to experience all Murihiku has to offer.
In 2023 we are looking to host the writers in residence programme again. This residency is for an established short story writer who wishes to spend 3-6 weeks in Southland. The residency includes a trip to Stewart Island and to Milford Sound for the writer as well as accommodation and a stipend. In return we ask that the writer provides writing workshops for Southland residents and if possible and appropriate participates in public engagements. We also ask that they provide some commentary on their experience for our facebook page and website.
The specific skills we are looking for from the resident are the ability to teach writing workshops.
In 2023 the Dan Davin Award for adults will be short story writing. The writer in resident may wish to be the judge for this competition.
Residency expectations:
• The Residency length is at the discretion of the resident but is expected to be between 3-6 weeks and should conclude at or around 1st of September (Dan Davin’s birthday)
• The Resident is expected to deliver the Dan Davin Lecture as part of the Dan Davin Award on or about 1 September
• Accommodation will be provided for the resident. This possibly at Yule House, a historic home in Invercargill run by SIT. This is a 3 bedroom home which may be used by visiting tutors at SIT while the residency occurs
• It is expected that the resident will stay in the accommodation provided for the duration of the residency
• A stipend of $500 per week will be paid to the resident
• The Foundation will cover costs of one return trip to Invercargill
• Use of a vehicle can be arranged for the resident as required
• As part of the residency the resident undertakes no less than 2 workshops for high school students and adults
• The resident writes several blog or facebook posts which the Foundation can use to showcase the residency
• As part of the residency the Foundation will arrange a 2 night trip to Stewart Island and a Milford Sound experience
• A co-working space will be available for writing if requested
• This residency will not allow partners and children to stay at Yule House
If you are interested in applying for the Dan Davin Literary Foundation Writer in Resident please write to us care of dandavin@xtra.co.nz
Please provide the following information:
• A brief outline of your writing experience (note this residency is for established writers)
• A brief description of the work you would like to do
• Experience in tutoring both students and adults
• How many weeks you would be interested in being resident and proposed dates
• If the above expectations are suitable for you
Expressions of Interest close 31 March 2023. We expect to notify the successful applicant by the end of May 2023 following a short listing process.
For any questions, please contact us through our email address above.
Regards
Rebecca Amundsen
Chair, Dan Davin Literary Foundation
writer in residence 2021

The Dan Davin Literary Foundation's Writer in Residence program was initiated in 2019. A bi-annual program, it invites writers from around New Zealand to apply to stay in Southland while working on their current work-in-progress. During their stay, these writers conduct workshops with students and adults and share their valuable skills of writing and in particular, writing short stories.
The residency program has been made possible through a bequest the Foundation received several years ago from Laurie King.
The trustees are proud to introduce this year's writer,
This year, 2021, the Dan Davin Literary Foundation welcomes Colleen Maria Lenihan, a writer of Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi and Irish descent, and based in Auckland.
In 2019, Colleen won the Michael King Writers’ Centre Residency for emerging Maori writers and Steve Braunias' Newsroom/Surrey Hotel Writers Residency. This year her short story book Girl is being published by Huia Publishers. Colleen has had articles published by the NZ Herald including the 2020 article Whanganui Cafe wouldn’t let my Maori Mum use the toilet" which reflected on New Zealand during the height of the Black Lives Matter campaign, following the death of George Floyd.
This year’s residency, beginning on the 11th of August to the 5th of September, is kindly supported by SIT through the use of Yule house for Colleen’s stay. This is her first trip to Southland and we are pleased to include a trip to Stewart Island and Milford as part of the experience for her. As a photographer as well as a writer we know Southland will provide Colleen with a memorable experience and the inspiration for future written works.
On Wednesday, 1st of September, as part of the Dan Davin Award, Colleen will deliver the annual Dan Davin Lecture.
The Dan Davin Literary Foundation residency has been made possible through a bequest the Foundation received several years ago from Laurie King.
For further information about the residency or upcoming workshops conducted by Colleen, please contact dandavin@xtra.co.nz or look for information on our Facebook Page.
Media enquiries
Colleen is happy to speak to media about her trip and the Residency. Please contact Becs Amundsen, chair of the Dan Davin Literary Foundation, by emailing dandavin@xtra.co.nz
The residency program has been made possible through a bequest the Foundation received several years ago from Laurie King.
The trustees are proud to introduce this year's writer,
This year, 2021, the Dan Davin Literary Foundation welcomes Colleen Maria Lenihan, a writer of Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi and Irish descent, and based in Auckland.
In 2019, Colleen won the Michael King Writers’ Centre Residency for emerging Maori writers and Steve Braunias' Newsroom/Surrey Hotel Writers Residency. This year her short story book Girl is being published by Huia Publishers. Colleen has had articles published by the NZ Herald including the 2020 article Whanganui Cafe wouldn’t let my Maori Mum use the toilet" which reflected on New Zealand during the height of the Black Lives Matter campaign, following the death of George Floyd.
This year’s residency, beginning on the 11th of August to the 5th of September, is kindly supported by SIT through the use of Yule house for Colleen’s stay. This is her first trip to Southland and we are pleased to include a trip to Stewart Island and Milford as part of the experience for her. As a photographer as well as a writer we know Southland will provide Colleen with a memorable experience and the inspiration for future written works.
On Wednesday, 1st of September, as part of the Dan Davin Award, Colleen will deliver the annual Dan Davin Lecture.
The Dan Davin Literary Foundation residency has been made possible through a bequest the Foundation received several years ago from Laurie King.
For further information about the residency or upcoming workshops conducted by Colleen, please contact dandavin@xtra.co.nz or look for information on our Facebook Page.
Media enquiries
Colleen is happy to speak to media about her trip and the Residency. Please contact Becs Amundsen, chair of the Dan Davin Literary Foundation, by emailing dandavin@xtra.co.nz
Writers in Residence 2019
The Dan Davin Literary Foundation is excited to announce that in 2019 they will be hosting the first Dan Davin Literary Foundation Writer in Residence. This Residency has been made possible through a generous bequest from Laurie King and the help of the Southern Institute of Technology.
Since the mid 1990s the Foundation has supported creative writers in Southland through writing workshops, competitions and presentations, the Residency marks a new phase in the Foundation’s work.
The Dan Davin Literary Foundation is very pleased to announce that we will be hosting the inaugural Dan Davin Literary Foundation Writer in Residence this year. The Foundation is pleased with the calibre of applications we received for the residency and we are very pleased to announce that for this residency we have offered a joint opportunity to Dunedin based writers Majella Cullinane and Maxine Alterio.
They will be staying in Invercargill for 6 weeks from 29 August and during that time will not only attend to their own work but will host a variety of writing workshops throughout the region. We have also ensured that they have some Southland experiences while here and the residency includes a trip to Stewart Island for Majella and for Maxine a trip to Milford Sound.
The workshops will be for both adults and youth so if you are interested in finding out more about these please contact us through our Facebook page or by email dandavin@xtra.co.nz
Since the mid 1990s the Foundation has supported creative writers in Southland through writing workshops, competitions and presentations, the Residency marks a new phase in the Foundation’s work.
The Dan Davin Literary Foundation is very pleased to announce that we will be hosting the inaugural Dan Davin Literary Foundation Writer in Residence this year. The Foundation is pleased with the calibre of applications we received for the residency and we are very pleased to announce that for this residency we have offered a joint opportunity to Dunedin based writers Majella Cullinane and Maxine Alterio.
They will be staying in Invercargill for 6 weeks from 29 August and during that time will not only attend to their own work but will host a variety of writing workshops throughout the region. We have also ensured that they have some Southland experiences while here and the residency includes a trip to Stewart Island for Majella and for Maxine a trip to Milford Sound.
The workshops will be for both adults and youth so if you are interested in finding out more about these please contact us through our Facebook page or by email dandavin@xtra.co.nz