New Zealand Writers
MACKENZIE, Anna
'Mackenzie’s writing is acutely observed, smart, and comes straight to the point'.
Susan Parris, Booknotes153
MACKENZIE, Anna (1963- ) writes fiction for young adults.
Anna Mackenzie has worked in publishing, as a bookseller, in public relations and in advertising. In her varied career she has also worked as an editor, graphic designer and in magazine production. Since the early 1990s she has also worked as a feature writer.
Her first novel, High Tide (Scholastic) was published in 2003 and was listed as a Notable Book by the Children's Literature Foundation of NZ.. In the Herald Margie Thompson writes that ‘Mackenzie has a terrific feeling for dramatic pace, and for the emotional and physical landscape her beleaguered teens are stumbling through.’ Kate De Goldi, on Saturday Morning with Kim Hill, says that High Tide is a ‘really very good adventure thriller… [Mackenzie] knows how to structure a book and how to paint with delicate brushstrokes… It’s a very good novel.’
Her second novel, Out on the Edge (Longacre, 2005) explores the lives of two teenagers, one the victim of violent abuse, the other totally together – until their lives collide. 'This is an excellent piece of work from an emerging writer - well-written, intelligent, in character and perfectly pitched for the intended reader. Highly recommended!' (Reading Time)
Mackenzie’s third novel, The Sea-wreck Stranger (Longacre, 2007) won the Honour Award in the Young Adult section of the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it tells the story of three children, Ness, Ty and Sophie. Faced with a startling discovery, they make a choice that sets them on a path of conflict with the elders of their community – but which also confirms that the world has possibilities beyond the rigid confines of their isolated community.
John McIntyre said this about Sea-wreck Stranger on National Radio: 'It’s a really tight, gripping story with a pacey plot, but what really stands out for me is the sheer beauty of the writing. Here there is a wordsmith at the top of her game...It’s one of those novels where a great story meets a great story-teller. There’s going to be a sequel and I can’t wait!'
Mackenzie’s fourth novel explores the territory of grief and loss, and is due to be released by Longacre later this year.
Anna Mackenzie lives in Hastings, and participates in the Book Council Writers in Schools programme.
SH, AM
Writers in Schools
Anna Mackenzie is able to discuss her writing; the process of writing and of being published; writing for different markets, e.g. fiction vs. non-fiction, public relations; children’s literature in general. She is available to speak with any age group, with an ideal class size of 20-35. She will run workshops on creative writing for children years 5-13 for 10-20 students by request.
KAPAI Kids Authors Pictures and Information
Some Questions for Anna MacKenzie
General Questions
Where do you live?
I live on a farm in Hawke’s Bay.
What sorts of books do you like to read?
I read a wide range of fiction and lots of children’s fiction.
Who is your favourite author?
Michael Ondaatje and Kurt Vonnegut, and my favourite children’s authors are Margaret Mahy, Jacqueline Woodson and Richard Peck.
How do you think up your ideas?
The smallest thing can grow into a story – an unusual scene, a story someone tells me, the juxtaposition of two separate memories or thoughts. I don’t have time to write them all!
What is the best thing about being an author?
Doing something that I love, and creating something that others can enjoy.
Some Questions from Primary School Students
What sort of pets do you have?
My children have a cat, as well as farm animals; dogs, pet lambs, etc. I’m not a pet person, but I do like our cat.
What is your favourite colour?
My favourite colour is purple.
What is your favourite food?
I love lots of foods; I enjoy cooking, especially for family and friends.
Do you have a favourite movie?
There are lots of movies I like, including some kids’ movies such as Shrek and Toy Story.
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
Being able to spend my time doing something I enjoy, especially explaining how my characters think and react to one another.
How do you make books?
I let an idea develop in my head, and then I sit down and write and write and write. After that, I go over it several times, honing and improving.
Where do you like to go for your holidays?
Mahanga, near Mahia, and Wanaka
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
It was the time I climbed up onto the roof of my boarding school so I could see the fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night.
Some Questions from Secondary School Students
How did you get started as a writer?
I began writing as a child because I enjoyed it. Later, when writing was part of the various jobs I’ve done, I did far less fiction writing. Then one day, I had a story idea in my head and I just decided to write it down and see what happened.
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
My parents encouraged my early efforts and exposed us to all forms of writing. When I began working on children’s novels, it was my nieces and nephews whose views and opinions gave me insights and ideas, as well as motivating me.
What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Be prepared to work at it, seek assistance from mentors, read widely and enjoy yourself.
Is it difficult to make a living as a writer in New Zealand?
If you are prepared to take on a wide variety of writing activities it is possible. That said the irregular nature of the income can be a problem.
What were you like as a teenager?
Eager to get on with life! I was also very shy. I enjoyed the academic side of school but disliked boarding. In my last year at High School I found getting to know a wider range of kids challenging, but very satisfying. I liked sport – hockey, swimming, diving, trampoline and tae-kwon-do - all of my subjects, some of my teachers, and at times my family (They probably felt the same way about me).
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