Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz

So much happening in Tauranga Writers (TW) at present we can hardly draw breath. Our AGM on April 7 delivered a new committee. Our president is now Suzanne Singleton. Her mission statement? 'To make meetings productive and encourage a focus on writing.”

This week's Write Space by Jenny Argante.

This was the original intention behind TW's formation. We're New Zealand's longest-running self-help group for writers, established June 21, 1967.

May, 1, 2011 will be another date to remember for it marks the official formation of the New Zealand Society of Authors Bay of Plenty Regional Branch (based here in Tauranga). NZSA BOP won't replace, but rather complement TW.

Imagine three circles of writers.

In the first, those who belong only to TW, a mutual aid society where members hone their writing skills.

In the second, those who belong both to TW and NZSA BOP as writers crossing over from talented amateur to paid and practising professional.

In the third, published authors for whom creative writing is their major directive as craft and as career.

No circle will be exclusive for NZSA BOP meetings and workshops will be open to all. And those in the third circle especially will form a useful pool of writing talent to draw upon for speakers and masterclasses and – hopefully – the biennial Tauranga Festival of the Arts.

Writing covers such a variety of genres and satisfies so many different purposes. It's great we're expanding what's available to include them all.

But TW and NZSA BOP are not, and never will be, the only organisations in Tauranga working to support writers and readers. We have a busy and active literary scene. We've been noted by Creative New Zealand as ‘a centre of writing excellence.'

For example, Tauranga Writers for Children over many years has brought out Kiwi stories by Kiwi writers for Kiwi kids. A considerable achievement.

Bookrapt – the Bay of Plenty Children's Literary Association – introduces annually to the public celebrated writers and illustrators of children's books and organises workshops for young writers. On May 3, they're hosting a discussion with Storylines about adding Tauranga (in 2012) to the itinerary of towns and cities that each year highlights New Zealand's wonderful children's writers with a Family Fun Day Festival.

Last year's assault on our library service led to the formation of Raging Readers, activists who spearheaded a successful campaign that was reported nationally. Still they maintain a watchful eye upon the council. Long before them, Friends of Tauranga City Libraries was founded to acknowledge and support what libraries do for readers. Last year's summer programme of Teen Mean Reads was wildly successful, and on June 11 at Mount Maunganui Library will hold their annual celebration of local writers – Honouring our Authors. You're invited!

No space left to discuss Pacific Poets, the Tauranga Film Collective or Tauranga Christian Writers, but you can always enquire online at www.taurangawriters.org.nz