Late October’s “Literature and Lager” at the Captain Cook tavern in Dunedin provided an opportunity for AMWA members to network and meet other local writers.
The evening was well attended by approximately 70 people. Students, academics and family of the graduating class of nonfiction writers from the University of Otago mingled between readings.
A highlight was Emma Harcourt, perhaps our most recent AMWA member, presenting an entertaining excerpt from her work “Bloody Women and the Bears they Attract”.
The take-home message being that many people are surprisingly willing to believe that menstruation is a powerful and malevolent force. Mark Caswell introduced AMWA and fellow members Blair Hesp and Chris Booker to the crowd.
The readings were concluded by Jesse Bering reading a piece he had published in Scientific American on the possibility that animals may laugh and Lloyd Davis read a touching excerpt dedicated to local ornithologist John Darby. “
By Mark Caswell (AMWA Executive Committee Member)
Editor (Acting)
Best Practice Advocacy Centre
Congratulations to Halimat Atanda, winner of the 2025 AMWA Early Career Award.
The judging panel was impressed by the quality of her submission, 'Methylation Simplified'. One judge commented, “This was a thoroughly
enjoyable and highly engaging read. The writer made excellent use of literary devices to explain complex concepts. The flow was good and it
was written at an appropriate level for the intended audience.”