Becoming Part of Writers in Schools

• Application forms

The Writers in Schools programme is a valuable way of interacting with the primary audience for a children’s writers work – children and teenagers. When a school invites you into their world, they invite you to share your knowledge and experiences with their students.

We currently have over 200 writers and illustrators enrolled in the Writers in Schools programme, stretching the country from Hikurangi to the Bluff. With this in mind, we have set an annual deadline and intake limit for Writers in Schools enrolment applications. There will be a maximum of 10 writers in each intake, selected by The Book Council’s Education team and Website Editorial Panel.

For schools’ reference purposes, all of our Writers in Schools authors feature in the Writers Files on www.bookcouncil.org.nz. There are selection criteria for our online Writers Files, and these therefore also apply to the Writers in Schools intake. The minimum criterion for inclusion is that a writer has at least one book length publication through a widely distributed, reputable publisher. Further factors the panel will consider are:

• the critical response to published work/s,
• literary profile
• readership

In addition, the following criteria apply to writers on the Writers in Schools programme:

• The writer or illustrator has suitable references backing their ability to work with children
• The writer or illustrator lives in a geographical area in which there are no writers currently working, and the school membership is strong
• The writer or illustrator’s specialist skills differentiate them from other authors residing in the same geographical area
• The writer or illustrator is able to work in the Writers in Schools programme without undue restrictions

Please fill out two application forms when applying to become part of Writers in Schools.
The Writers' File application form can be downloaded here, and the WIS application form here.

The deadline for applications to be eligible for Writers in Schools in 2012 is 5pm Friday 9 December.