WRITEFEST PANEL: Working with AI - the good, bad and ugly for writers

Writefest is an annual event that brings together an amazing group of tutors and wordsmiths under one roof to teach a broad range of writing skills.

WRITEFEST OPENING EVENT

Panel: Working with AI - the good, bad and ugly.

AI offers many exciting opportunities for speed, creativity and enhanced productivity but it also introduces tricky questions around copyright, ownership, and collaboration that writers need to understand.

Whether you embrace it or reject it, or just find it perplexing, AI isn't going anywhere anytime soon and there is a lot to unpack. Does it offer exciting choices for writers or is it something we should shun outright? And what are creative industries doing to future proof themselves?

Join facilitator Kathryn Burnett, NZ Writers Guild Executive Director, Alice Shearman, Novelist & Copywriter Scott Butler at Saturday 19th July to dig into the good, bad and ugly of working with AI. Followed by networking drinks.

Doors open 4.00pm

Panel starts 4.30pm

Networking drinks - 5.30pm

Attending the Working with AI Panel

An invitation to this panel is included when you purchase an ALL DAY PASS to Writefest 2025.

OR

Buy a seperate Ticket to Working with AI Panel Event & Networking drinks.

About Our Panellists

Alice Shearman

Alice Shearman is Executive Director of the New Zealand Writers Guild, where she champions the rights and voices of Aotearoa’s screenwriters. She also serves as Co-Chair of Toi Mai Workforce Development Council and as a Director of New Zealand Opera, helping grow opportunities for creatives across the country. With over 20 years’ experience in the screen and cultural sectors, Alice is passionate about supporting storytellers and shaping a thriving future for the arts.

Scott Butler

Scott’s spent the majority of his career in advertising. An industry that’s embracing AI at a rapid pace, from programmatic buying, to creative pitches and ideas that are being generated in the blink of an eye. He’s a fan of calamity and the chaos great characters find themselves in. He’s written three novels, Drive, The Security and Stalker.

More About Writefest 2025

If you are a writer looking to improve your craft or a newer writer looking to learn and connect with other writers - this event is for you!

It is the brainschild of Kathryn Burnett and Jonathan Zsofi (Hey Writer) who have been running this event for 4 years.

All our tutors are successful, working writers so this is a great opportunity to learn, upskill and get inspired by the best whether you’re brand new or your writing journey is under way.

Scroll down to see our 2025 workshop line up.

8 WORKSHOPS, 6 TUTORS , 3 COFFEE BREAKS OVER ONE AWESOME DAY.

"Always fun with fresh topics and inspiring speakers, Writefest is the one big writing event that I look out for every year." Robyn Welsh

“ I attended two writing workshops organised by Beginners Guide to Writing Workshops in May. Really impressed with the speakers and the value they gave. I’m sure they will help my writing a lot.” Peter McCutcheon

Looking for a follow up to the Auckland Writers Festival? This is for you.

WRITEFEST 2025 WORKSHOPS

- FIRE UP YOUR STORY ENGINE: 90 minutes of creatively stimulating writing sprints with Award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett

- PITCH ON THE PAGE: Write a synopsis that sells! Nailing your synopsis, logline or pitch is a vital part of your writing career - learn with development exec & screenwriter Steve Barr.

- CRAFTING SHORT STORIES: What makes for a great short story? Learn the nuts and bolts with award-winning novelist Caroline Barron

- CRAFT BEAUTIFUL SENTENCES: Learn how to use poetic techiques to make your prose gorgeous with award-winning poet and novelist Anne Kennedy

- START YOUR NON-FICTION BOOK : Start turning your experience and expertise into compelling non-fiction with award-winning journalist and author Atakohu Middleton

- SURVIVING FEEDBACK: Fear of what people will think can stop writers in their tracks but feedback can be your friend. Learn how to love it with award-winning screenwriter & playwright Kathryn Burnett

- GET THE LOWDOWN ON PUBLISHING: Looking for expert knowledge on how publishing works and what you need to do BEFORE you submit? Don’t miss this invaluable workshop with Harriet Allan.

- IMPROVE YOUR DIALOGUE: Nailed your plot and characters but feel your dialogue could be tighter, better or just work harder? Learn how to make what your characters say (and don't say) memorable and authentic with screenwriter and development exec Steve Barr.

HOW YOU CAN ATTEND...

1) Buy an ALL DAY TICKET to get an all access pass to all workshops, morning & afternoon tea plus anything we include in the day.

2) Time poor? Buy an INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOP TIX and just drop in for a workshop that rings your bell - and grab a coffee after!

NB: All tickets are strictly limited

HEY WRITER Workshop Testimonials:

What people say about our workshops...

“Struggling to get a sluggish writing project back on track? Whether you’re a beginner or an established writer, Kathryn’s Goal-Setting Workshop is the perfect prompt to turbo-boost your writing. I was thrilled with this workshop. Great questions. Revelatory.” — Lee Murray, three-time Bram Stoker Award® nominee and author of Into the Ashes.

"Kathryn is an inspiration - funny, self-deprecating, real and she KNOWS how to get people writing. Also the world's best- writing nag. Stop procrastinating and book one of her workshops!" Bex Ansell - Novelist

“A great shot in the arm injection of creative juice! Thanks, Kathryn for your warm and down to earth delivery. Really loved it!” -- Melissa Parsons – Teacher, Researcher, Author.

“Kept me writing notes and solving problems in my writing projects all day. Fascinating and very helpful!” -- Amy Paulussen – writer

“I solved a problem that’s been plaguing me for months today! Thank you." Zoe Meager Author

“Loved Kathryn’s relaxed and yet professional teaching style – great sense of humour and ability to communicated ideas clearly and concisely.” Katherine Smith – Data Entry Operator

“I wrote a story that was directly inspired by one of Kathryn’s creativity exercises during her workshop. The story went on to win a NZ Society of Authors competition and I have just heard that it has been accepted for publication in Landfall! A real breakthrough for me.” Bronwyn Calder

“The workshop really helped hone my idea down to its emotional core, and gave me useful practical application to plan an outline to follow. Highly recommended.” Wayne Hotu, Writer

“Thank you so much for a very enjoyable, productive day. You have given me just the jump start I need to begin working on my stage play and I really appreciated your practical and hands on approach to the workshop. “ Emma Love – Celebrant/Writer

“Thanks for an awesome day Kathryn! I came away feeling a thousand times clearer on what I'm writing.” Lucy Fullarton