staying local for novel writing getaway

as a child and in her teens, but by her early 20s, despite a degree in English and philosophy behind her, she was experiencing something of a crisis of confidence about her writing abilities, so shelved her efforts.

In 2008, after a couple of years in London, she returned to New Zealand, settling in Auckland and finding work she loved as a book publicist.

“Once I had my girls in my 30s, I thought it was really necessary to show them how to work hard to meet your dreams.”

She wrote a short story and was accepted into the University of Auckland’s Master of Creative Writing programme in 2018.

She went on to review books for publications including the New Zealand Listener and the New Zealand Herald. Early in the pandemic, she blogged about New Zealand fiction. “It was an eye-opener to see the depth of talent coming out.”

Assessing other people’s writing was beneficial, she said, but it was important to hone one’s own aesthetic and to craft skills. “In the end the only way is to just write it.”

Her debut novel, set in Auckland, is about a young athlete’s search for the spotlight. Originally called Mickey Bloom, it is being published as Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts

Last year’s competition win came with a $10,000 advance against royalties along with the book deal. At the Michael King centre, she will return to a novel begun earlier than Mickey Bloom but set aside.

“It was ambitious and I realised I didn’t have the skill set then – so I switched.”

Describing it as a “sort of a love story and a bit science fictiony”, she hopes to get deep into a second draft during her stay. She wants to restructure the story and make it more sophisticated.

Ideally, it will be ready for someone to assess later in the year.

As part of her Allen & Unwin prize, the publisher has first dibs on what she completes next, meaning she could potentially have two books on its roster in one year.

For Shapiro, who worked for the publisher before having her children, there’s a pleasing synergy in renewing the association, albeit on the other side of the table.

A fan of international authors including Canadian Emily St John Mandell and Aus-

House on the hill... Michael King Writers Centre on Takarunga is a peaceful spot tralian Tim Winton, she says this year also promises another strong showing by New Zealanders.

“Big names like Emily Perkins are coming out and there’s five or six exciting debut novelists.”

Being one of them is clearly a buzz for the hot-yoga enthusiast, who also likes regular walks up Takarunga.

These take her past the old signalman’s cottage that houses the Michael King centre, though she has only been inside once before.

Soon it will be her home from home. Just up the peninsula, daughters Willa, aged 8, and Marnie, 6, will be at Bayswater School, with her husband, Lee, working from home during her residency, so he can manage the after-school activities.

“I’m so excited for them growing up here,” says Shapiro.