COMMEMORATING LAURA SOLOMON
Susanna Elliffe + Tracy Farr
Join us to celebrate the fifth birthday of The NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize and meet the two most recent winners, Susanna Elliffe (for Patron Saints of Roadkill) and Tracy Farr (for Wonderland).
As well as celebrating the fifth birthday of The NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize, we will launch the latest book to win this visionary prize: Patron Saints of Roadkill by Ōamaru author Susanna Elliffe.
Susanna and 2024 winner Tracy Farr (for her novel, Wonderland) will be joined by the family of Laura Solomon, a representative from the New Zealand Society of Authors, and Cuba Press publisher, Mary McCallum. Mary will lead Susanna and Tracy in a discussion about their work and the impact of the prize on their writing careers.
Laura Solomon was a novelist, playwright and poet, who lived in Nelson from 2007 until her death in 2019, aged 44.
First awarded in 2021, the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize is open to published and unpublished authors who are invited to enter manuscripts written across genres including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, drama or children’s writing, which are judged within the criteria set by Laura Solomon, for new writing with a ‘unique and original vision’. Other winners are Lizzie Harwood (Polaroid Nights), Rachel Fenton (Between the Flags) and Lee Murray (Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud).
This free event will be a unique opportunity to hear from the people behind a key writing prize with Nelson origins.
At the end of the session, the NZSA will announce the opening of entries for the 2027 prize.
Susanna Elliffe
Susanna Elliffe is a fiction writer based in Ōamaru. She was the 2025 winner of the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize with her debut short story collection Patron Saints of Roadkill, and her short stories have been recognised in national and international competitions including the Sunday Star-Times Short Story Competition, the Bridport Prize, the Hope Prize and the Sargeson Prize. When not writing, Susanna can be found on stage or adding to her collection of degrees.
Tracy Farr
Tracy Farr is a writer who used to be a scientist. Melbourne-born and Perth-raised, she lived in Vancouver before moving to Aotearoa and has lived on Te Motu Kairangi Miramar Peninsula in Wellington for nearly thirty years. Tracy was the winner of the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize 2024 with her third novel, Wonderland, which was longlisted for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize 2026. Tracy’s debut The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt was a finalist for leading Australian awards. She’s co-curator of Bad Diaries Salon and Bad Diaries Podcast. Find her at tracyfarrauthor.com
Mary McCallum
Mary McCallum is a writer and publisher who lives in Wairarapa and Pōneke. Her own published work includes award-winning novel The Blue; a children’s novel, and two poetry collections – her most recent is Tackling the Hens. Mary won the inaugural Caselberg Trust International Poetry Prize and her poem ‘Sycamore Tree’ was selected for Best NZ Poems. She is founder and director of Mākaro Press and The Cuba Press.
Pukapuka Talks are presented by:
Thank you to:
NCMA Foyer
Sun 25 Oct | 5.30pm | 60 min
FREE
All ages
Audio based
