Auckland Queer Writers Anthology

Well team, we made it! It's all thanks to your amazing and kind support.

I want to let you know what happens next, though I will also send a reminder closer to launch itself.

RIght now, our cover artist is deep in the design process, and our editor is working with our writers to get these pieces polished.

Next, we're going to format it all together, whilst continuing to put out the word about the launch.

After that comes the printing and distribution. We'll also be canvassing Pride events in February with a promotional bookmark so that we can boost awareness of the book in a cost-effective and eye-catching way.

Speaking of the launch, don't forget to book your free ticket here for the launch party! It's going to be really fun, with free kai, live readings, and physical books available for purchase and signing. As someone who has put their money where their mouth is for us, you definitely deserve to come and party with us: https://events.humanitix.com/aqwa-book-launch

When I update you in February, it should be with a link to share around for yourselves or anyone else who wants to purchase the book, where all proceeds will go to OutLine Aotearoa.

If you have any questions at all about any of what comes next, me and the other organisers are easy to reach over on our instagram pages 
Hiria: https://www.instagram.com/hiriadunning/
Jade: https://www.instagram.com/jade.f.dupreez/
Jamie:  https://www.instagram.com/jamiesandsauthor/
or you can find me at hello@hiriadunning.com .

Thanks eternally for your support. You're the best!

Ka kite āno,

Claire Hiria Dunning, Jade du Preez, Jamie Sands and rest of the AQWA team

Kia ora backers - goodness gracious, can you believe that at 5pm it will be only 24 hours to go on this campaign?

I just want to spend this last update before the deadline letting you know more about our chosen charity, OutLine Aotearoa.

OutLine is a mental health organisation focussed on mental health for the Rainbow community. That even includes any friends and family who might need help with being there for someone in the Rainbow community, and it's also for those questioning their identity and not sure whether they belong under the umbrella of 'Rainbow' yet. Their support line and online chat is free, confidential, nationwide, and operates from 6pm-9pm daily with trained volunteers. A number of our writers have expressed a personal connection to OutLine as an organisation that helped them through tough times.

If you need their services, they can be found at 0800 688 5463 or online at https://outline.org.nz/

We want to help OutLine Aotearoa to do good work in the community, so all proceeds of the anthology will be going directly to them.

By funding us, you have enabled us to fulfill that promise, rather than having to make up the publishing and launch costs from the sales of the book.

Thank you once again for your kind generosity. I will check in again one last time tomorrow after the deadline, and later on in February 2026 to remind you when the launch is coming up. But please remember to grab your tickets to the free launch party before then, over here: https://events.humanitix.com/aqwa-book-launch

Until tomorrow, ka kite!

Kia ora backers! This kinda feels like dessert after the meal, since we made our target, you know what I mean? :)

Today, I want to introduce you to the cover artist for the Auckland Queer Writers Anthology!

Piper Van Rinsvelt, better known as Mango Cat, is an illustrator known for her colourful and sparkly creations. Piper is a queer Wellington artist and video game designer who is very influenced by nature, pop culture, and queer culture.

You can find her at https://www.instagram.com/thedrawingmangocat/

Check out some of her work: (if the pictures don't load on the Boosted website, which I have been trouble uploading too, please check out the Instagram post here instead: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRoAXMAE0PF/)

Piper had this to say about her process: "When designing the cover, I wanted to stick to my roots while following the queer NZ theme. I wanted to make something colourful, queer, and lively. I have always loved tūī for their colour and thought that they were a great way to lean into the rainbow, queer, fun look I was going for. Overall, I just wanted the art to show the love and pride within the pages."

We can't wait to be able to reveal the finished cover one day. Stay tuned for that still to come.

More tomorrow as we near the close of the campaign. Ka kite!

Kia ora everyone, and welcome to the final writers profile - but first, WOOHOO! We made it to 100% of our target! Thank you eternally from all of us here at the Auckland Queer Writers Anthology.

The campaign doesn't close until 1st December. Any further funds that get added on after this will go towards to the final approx $300 of expenses, and if we go beyond that, we earmark that money to go straight to OutLine Aotearoa!

Please meet our final author, Sophie Ann, in her interview below:

Who are you or what name do you write under?

I am a survivor, this is a fictionized story based on true events names, places and scenes have been changed and dramatized to protect the identities of actual people.

This is my first work as a published artist under the pseudonym Sophie Ann. The name Sophie pays homage and sounds like my Chinese name. I also like the way it sounds “So Free” is how liberated it felt after facing my fears. The name Ann is the pseudonym in a published newspaper article in the NZ Herald 2021. This also acknowledgement to the word “And” the end of one chapter, to the now endless possibilities and options that awaits to be unfolded…be bold and brave.

What have you written and how does it relate to the theme?

The theme mental health and the Progress Pride Flag - I wanted to break the stigma about mental health and in particular in the Chinese culture where tradition and family name is still strong. I have struggled with it throughout my life, and I wanted to help break some of those barriers, so people can realise they are not alone. It is actually courageous to seek help and different independent perspectives. The culture of not talking about mental health, leading to bottling things up is unhealthy and cycles, repeating generation after generation. It’s not until you look at yourself and question everything you have been taught that you find out there is a lot of grey areas and what is right for you. We are all unique and special in our own way and go through a process of individualisation. My own journey entailed facing my fears and to seek help was a lifesaving. I hope others find some resonance and be brave in their own journey.

Some of my favourite quotes –

Brene Brown defines authenticity as the courage to be your true , imperfect self, letting go of who you think you should be to embrace who you are.

Maya Angelou - “to belong everywhere and nowhere”

How have you found participating in this journey?

I wanted to write a book some point in my life and thought this was an amazing opportunity to learn and accomplish a goal of mine both at the same time. The process has been a huge learning curve about different voices, writing styles , how to give and taking feedback, grammar and everyone has been so generous with their time, helpful and understanding. There have been a range of emotions from cathartic to pride and joy. Making friends along the way.

Why should people support us?

The theme is still so important currently, the digital world can isolate people, go down a rabbit hole even deeper and faster. This book has lots of hidden gems within each story that are waiting to be found but most of all, the proceeds go to the charity OutLine Aotearoa.

... Bravo to Sophie Ann for her brave words!

Well, that is all the organisers and writers in the anthology. Coming up for you next are profiles about our chosen charity OutLine, and our brilliant cover designer.

Can you believe we only have three days left on this part of the journey? How wild is that?! It's been such an epic month, and we're so grateful that you've been on the journey with us.

Thanks again as always for your support. Don't forget to get your tickets for the launch party here (https://events.humanitix.com/aqwa-book-launch - and remember, it's free!). We hope to see you there so we can celebrate this work you have helped to bring into the world.

Until next time, ka kite!

Kia ora folks, and welcome to our update with our ninth writer in the anthology, Ann K Addley!

Ann K Addley is an emerging Kiwi author with a background in performing arts and design. She has always loved writing, but dyslexia kept her from pursuing this dream until she fell into the 2000s travel blogging trend. She then published several educational children’s books before realising that her original love of fiction was still calling. She is currently developing a novel. Endeavouring to entwine her love of immersive worlds and emerging science with everyday representation of adult women and queer and neurodivergent characters. When not writing, Ann reads everything she can get her hands on and paints oils.

Here is a snippet from her story, The Big House:

“Kia flicked their thumb absentmindedly over the numbers. The dials turned easily despite the dirt, with quiet little ticks as the numbers locked into place, tick, tick, tick 1, 8, 7, 8 clonk. There was a strange hollow sound as they rolled the final tumbler into place, and the lid popped loose. Surely not? They opened the lid. Inside were several sheets of yellowed note paper, covered double-sided, in a tight hand. Weird! It had felt like there was much more inside than a couple of sheets of paper. They carefully unfolded the sheets. On top of the paper was a crest and the words Melmerly Collegiate School for Girls. The rest of the space was filled with loopy cursive script.”

Ann has chosen to do a text-only interview rather than a video one. Here is that interview:

Who are you (or what name do you write under)?

I write under the name Ann K Addley. (She/They)

What have you written, and how does it relate to the theme?

I wanted to write on the white in the progress pride flag on trans non binary identity and being defined in the queer community as by what you are not. After a few false starts that leaned more towards exploring trauma, I decided that I wanted a story of hope and progress. We know where the struggles lie, but that doesn't mean there isn't hope for the future. I had a friend who lived in the big house in Parnell at one point and was taken with the idea of this historic landmark as a character growing and changing alongside the Auckland queer community.

How have you found participating in the project?

It's been really interesting participating in the project. It's been fascinating to see the feedback of different people as the story progresses through editing, and really fun to work alongside a bunch of other queer authors.

Why d'ya reckon should people support us?

The cause is two-fold. Supporting a path to developing writers in New Zealand is great for the future of our creative industries. The project also supports OutLine, a charity that provides mental health support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Our community tends to have worse mental health outcomes and a lack of access to resources, so anything we can do to help this work is great for the queer community

Thanks Ann for that fascinating insight into your experience! You can learn more about them at https://www.annkaddley.com/

We have just one more writer to introduce to you in our next update. Wow, what a milestone to reach! And speaking of milestones, now we are at lucky 88%. We really cannot thank you enough for getting onboard with our cause, and we cannot wait to bring the anthology out into the world in just a few months.

Reminder: book your tickets to the free launch party here if you haven't already.

See you in the next update. Ka kite!

Kia ora folks! Imagine my excitement at getting more emails about donations coming in over the last few days, and now we're up to shiny lucky number 77%. We are so close, and it's all thanks to your generosity.

Today I want to introduce you to Chanteé, who has written the speculative fiction short story Field Lines which is about how we connect to people, and how one finds one's place as an ace person.

Check out her video over here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRbQB85gIqz/

Here is a snippet from Field Lines:

He grins, and for a moment there’s a thread of connection, silky black, trailing off somewhere into the cosmos. My eyes follow it, fading out of sight over the horizon even though Alec is standing at his side.

Chanteé has found the collective nature of our workshopping process to be incredible, for helping each other out and uplifting both the people and the work itself. Because of the workshops, she got to read a lot of the work going into this anthology, and she's really excited for you to read the high quality stuff going into it. Also exciting: the chance to support the mental health of the Rainbow Community through the sales of our book going to OutLine Aotearoa!

You can learn more about Chanteé over on her website: http://chanteeofficial.com/, through her Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/thechantee, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanteeofficial/, or via Threads: https://www.threads.com/@chanteeofficial

Thanks again for your kind support and attention. We have just one week left of this campaign, two more writers to introduce, and our artist and chosen charity. See you next time, ka kite!

Kia ora, lovely backers! I hope the weekend is treating you well.

Today we want to introduce you to Sara Sergejew (Tainui, Ngāti Porou, Ngā Puhi), the poet who has written Tangihanga rua (two funerals).

Check out her video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRWUzlAAESN/

This poem compares two funerals, and tells two contrasting stories about the journey of support in the Rainbow Community, especially in supporting everyone's rights in the community and not just what affects oneself.

This is the first time Sara has written publicly, and she found our process of workshopping really supportive. She says you should support us because this is a group of amazing writers, and because representation matters. Having our stories and experiences written and available for other people to read is so important for understanding each other. I totally agree, Sara!

Thank you once again for jumping onboard to support us. We are so, so grateful, especially since we officially passed the two thirds mark in the last day! We have three more writers to introduce you to, as we draw closer to the end of the month, so stay tuned. Ka kite!

Kia ora folks! It's been an exciting first two-thirds of November. Let's leap into our next profile and meet author Leow Jinn Jyh (aka. Jinn).

Check out his video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRRBR7WAN4N/

Jinn's short story is 'The 07:39 Southern Line Service to Waitematā Britomart has been cancelled', and it's about a man who is losing his mind about his own fashion choices - no, actually, sorry, because of his own insecurities. It's a unique stream of consciousness piece, quite unlike anything else, but wonderfully funny and insightful. Here's a snippet:

rebound sex is less of a mistake than this hat Patrick jesus H christ! and you paired it with this suede jacket with frills—Frills! You're a management consultant working in Wynyard Quarter not a paper boy caught in a spaghetti western absolutely no way you're Zooming with Chicago in this outfit from the station

Jinn found the process of our kaupapa refreshing and fun, because it wasn't just submitting and forgetting, but actually involved getting to know other people and their work over the course of three months.

Thank you again for your support - we've cracked the halfway point, and are going strong for the last third of the month. Stay tuned for more author profiles coming out. This book of ours is going to be legit!

Ka kite!

Kia ora backers, and welcome to another profile on one of our writers. But first, I just want to say a massive thanks to you for getting us all the way up to 49%! Wow, you're truly an epic supporter of the arts if you're in on this update. Thank you :)

Now introducing: Matt Niederer.

Check out his video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRMDkMLADhu/

Matt has written 'It never stops', a short story about a gay dad taking his son to summer camp. It's about the continual process of coming out and coming to terms with who you are.

Here's a snippet:

“So is it just you here with Ben or …”
She leaves the question hanging.
My thoughts stutter like bad stop motion. These conversations always feel awkward, but it's another parent so the stakes are low. Most likely fine. At least if she’s homophobic it’s one less parent to talk to. She’s poised, waiting.

Matt found the process of working with our collective really supportive. He reckons you should support this kaupapa because visibility and representation for queer identities matters. It's important to hear the stories from your time, your place, and your people.

So with that torch to carry forward, onwards we go! See you next time with another exciting writer profile. Ka kite!

Kia ora backers, and welcome to another update. Today you'll meet Jern Ng.

Check out his video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRG-e4IgBDq/

His story, 'The Colours Between Us', is on one level simply about a car ride, but as you go deeper, you see how seemingly inconsequential things outside the window come together to form something meaningful.

Here's a snippet:

"The mask snapped into place. The one he put on every time he felt someone was going to find out what he was. The one that kept him safe, kept his secret safe. In a strange way it was comforting. Familiar. There was a part of him that felt bad about lying, but that part was buried deep, wrapped up tight in blankets, bundled into a box, tossed into the back of a closet in a corner so far it was almost Narnia."

It has been a long time since Jern has written anything, and he found working with a group of similarly-minded people to be very helpful for getting back into it and polishing his work. He wants people to support our work because, in his words, "When I look around the room, I can see how diverse we all are, and how many untold stories there are in each and every one of us". He wants to see this edition of the mahi succeed, in the hope that we can take it foward in the future to bring even more people out to the readers who need them.

What a lovely sentiment! It makes me all warm and happy just reading it back :)

As we come up on the halfway point of our campaign, I want to thank all of you lovely people already backing us, especially those of you who have only just joined us - hi! I wonder if you could do us one more favour? Would you consider forwarding on the campaign to another person who might be interested, please, as this might be able to push us further towards our elusive goal.

Thank you again as always. Ka kite!

Kia ora folks, we have another fine writer to introduce to you today.

Here is Bianca Parker, author of 'Pink Planet', a story about an unhealthy relationship between a girl and an artificial intelligence.

Check out her video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRByeilgBHK/

Bianca's found that it's been wonderful to meet and collaborate with other writers, and it has given her a chance to grow. Why does she think you should support us? Well, in her words: "At a time of generalized global unpleasantness, it's a good thing to do, to support queer writers". And of course, it's also good to support our chosen charity OutLine Aotearoa, who will receive all proceeds from the sales of the anthology.

Here is a snippet from her aforementioned short story:

She pictured herself amidst it, the storm the planet was eternally caught in. The waves cascading over her. Stripping away whatever it was that held her together and letting out something hidden underneath. The pink currently buried too deep to reach.

You can find Bianca on Bluesky: @bumblebigirl.bsky.social, TikTok: @bumblebi03, or Instagram: bumblebigirl if you want to know more about her mahi - especially since she has a book coming out next year, called 'Dido on the Edge'.

All right folks, tune in next time for more in a couple of days. Ka kite!

Kia ora to you, kind backers!

Today I want to introduce you to another of our wonderful writers, Matthew Chamberlain.

Check out his video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ8okN0gByX/

Matthew writes speculative fiction. He's really enjoyed the collaborative and inclusive approach of this kaupapa, feeling like he was listened to and allowed to be part of the decision making process. It's really important to him that we're making a taonga that's going to be there for other queer people. He reckons people should support us because it's important that we back ourselves and raise up voices outside of the mainstream.

Here's a snippet from one of Matt's pieces in the anthology, 'Amalgam':

I walked him out and as he left, the open theatre door let in a pall of cigarette smoke from those huddled outside against the rain. I watched through the glass as he walked until he stopped under a streetlight before crossing the road. The orange light carved his profile into the night air, and I saw, for the briefest flickering instant, myself in silhouette at his side. The vision vanished as he stepped onto the asphalt, and with it I felt an emptiness lodge itself inside me.

See you in a couple more days for another update with another author. Ka kite!

Kia ora supporters! I'm so keen to introduce you the first of our lovely bevy of writers.

Today's featured writer is E. Juniper Kelsey!

Check out her video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ3VbBVgJfh/

She's a debut writer, this being her first officially published work. For her chosen writing theme, out of the Progress Pride Flag colours, she chose red, representing life. She's found this process to be brilliant, since she's gotten to meet several other authors and engage with their pieces through the workshopping process, which has helped her to grow as a writer. If you support this project you'll be helping OutLine Aotearoa and get to read a bunch of good stories, so in her words, this is 'Win-win'!

Here is a snippet from her story 'Speakeasy', which she describes as a barely veiled metaphor for being trans:

And the red light over the bar, over the stage where Luna danced like nothing I’d ever seen, where her joy called out to me, that wasn’t the red of a bleeding wound, the red of death. No. The red light over Sharpe’s was the red of the blood howling through my hammering heart, the red of life.

You can find Essie on bluesky as @ladywildfl0wer.bsky.social if you want to know more about her writing.

Stay tuned for yet more of the writers that you are supporting with your kind donation.

Ka kite!

Kia ora kind funders, and welcome to the final intro to the AQWA organisers. This time, it's Jamie Sands!

Jamie Sands is a non-binary (he/they) kiwi who’s always been wondering ‘what if’? A number one bestseller on Amazon, they write inclusive optimistic urban fantasy and romance highlighting queer characters. Jamie grew up in Wellington but now lives in Auckland with their wonderful spouse and two formally-stray cats.

Check out his video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQxPVX3gFvO/

He's written an urban fantasy meets portal fantasy that's about an office in a fantasy world, with all kinds of gender-diverse characters, including a trans lead character, and a possible polyamorous-happy-ever-after.

That story is called 'A King's Duty' and here is a snippet from it:

“We’ve tried asking its name, but it hasn’t replied at all.” Lichen frowned, a delicate thing on their fine features. “Is it sick? Is it a monster? It seems very cute for a monster.” 

The dog’s tail thumped against the carpet. 

“It’s a dog. We keep them as pets and protectors,” I was so used to explaining Earth things that now it was simply habit.

He really wants this campaign to do well, because we're just normal people from the queer community who need a little bit more financial help to get it over the line. So big thanks to you for supporting us already - and please pass word of this campaign on if you can think of anyone else out there who could help us, thanks!

You can follow Jamie on Instagram at @jamiesandsauthor to learn more about their work.

That's enough about the organizing team. Time to introduce you to our cohort of amazing new talent. See you next time!

Kia ora lovely backers, and welcome to another update from the Auckland Queer Writers Anthology. Thank you again for your kind donations: we are now one sixth of the way there.

Today you get to meet another of our organisers...

Jade du Preez (she/her) is a Tāmaki Makaurau-based author and an award-winning writer of short fiction. She has published one novel, a few short stories and is presently undertaking a Masters of Creative Writing through Massey University.

Check out our video of Jade here!

One of the differences that Jade loved about this kaupapa we put together is that we involved everyone in workshopping. It wasn't a 'submit and forget' effort, but a collective one where we worked to include and uplift everyone.

She's also excited to be supporting OutLine and the services they provide for queer people across Aotearoa.

And here is a snippet of her work which will be included in this anthology, entitled 'White Hat':

"Images have her seated, him steering the back of the chair; she looking down at wildflowers, he looking back at the photographer. Many of the shots show the god-like presence of Mt Taranaki. A dormant, snow-capped threat."

You can find Jade on Instagram at @jade.f.dupreez if you want to know more about her work.

That's all for this time. Tune in again in a couple of days to meet the last but not least of our organisers. Ka kite!

Kia ora folks! Time for you to meet the first of the projects organisers, and get a sneak peek of some of the work you can look forward to when the Anthology comes out in February.

That first person is me, hi! I'm Hiria Dunning.

My pronouns are she/her, they/them, ia. I hail from Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, and Pākehā ancestry. I'm best known (not for a book yet, though one day I hope I can say that...) internationally for hosting the weekend writing prompt #pretendpanel on Bluesky, and nationally (especially by drama teachers) for writing the accidentally profound and award-winning play Spilt Milk at age fourteen. When I'm not writing, I enjoy collecting divination paraphernalia, laughing with/at my children, and dodging my cat Willow's assassination attempts.

I believe that people should support the anthology because to me it was an opportunity for queer writers to write in a space that didn't censor, where we understood and accepted one another, and where we were working as one to make a taonga for our community. 

What did I write, and how does it relate to our theme?: Well, the name of my short story is 'Rainbow Stars Unite!' and it's about the leader of a squad of magical girls. When I am told to choose one out of a range of options, I'm bad at doing that! So I chose ALL the colours.

And here is a little snippet of my story:

"If my hands weren't cuffed, I'd drum out the dramatic entrance of the snare and cymbals cascading through my head right now, as they come crashing towards the opening chorus...
🎵When darkness hides the light,
They're gonna bring the fight,
Shining through the night -
Rainbow Stars Unite!🎵
Look, I need you to know one thing, all right? We didn't write the song. It's embarrassing, but some people we saved once wrote us a theme song, and unfortunately, it stuck."

You can follow me on bluesky at @hiriadunning.bsky.social, Instagram at @hiriadunning, or on www.hiriadunning.com if you want to know more about my mahi.

That's it for this time. Join us next update for another organiser profile...

Ka kite!

Kia ora!

It's Hiria Dunning here, and I'll be your correspondent for the duration of our campaign updates.

Thank you so much to all of you who have contributed to the campaign in our first day. We cannot wait to get this anthology into the hands of readers in Tamaki Makaurau and beyond.

Coming soon: you'll get to see videos and read snippets and interviews with all of our authors in the subsequent updates. There's such a variety of genres and styles in this anthology. We can't wait to showcase them all!

For now: have you gotten your ticket to attend the launch party? Don't miss out, it's going to be a banger of a night (if you're in Auckland, that is! Sorry distant friends. You'll be there in our hearts) Link here: https://events.humanitix.com/aqwa-book-launch

One last thing: Please share our campaign if you believe in it. Let's make this happen together.

Arohanui, Hiria

(Apologies if you received this update a bunch of times in your emails, if you've subscribed. I was having some issues with posting, but apparently it updates you every time I try to update it! Sorry!!)