The senior staff

Glyn Strange

I’m Glyn Strange, the founding director of the School for Young Writers. After completing a doctorate in English and filling in as a temporary university lecturer, I worked for a while in the personnel field. In 1993, when starting a writing and publishing career, I was asked to establish a school for young writers. It sounded like fun, and still does. I enjoy working with creative young people and helping them reach their goals. My work for the school has slowed my own writing but I’ve published four books so far: The Arts Centre of Christchurch Then and Now, Brief Encounters: Some Uncommon Lawyers, The Little Theatre and No Glory Without Effort/Pas de Gloire Sans Effort.

Tutors

Jason Clements

I’m Jason Clements (aka Doc Drumheller), and I was born in Charleston, South Carolina. I have lived in New Zealand for more than half my life. I have worked in award winning groups for theatre and music and have published seven collections of poetry: Blueprint for Resurrection or Destruction, Fears & Fetishes, Reality Myths, Super-Ordinary, The Great Distraction, Snake Songs and Strange Totems. In 2007, I participated in the 12th Havana International Poetry Festival, where I was asked to represent New Zealand on the International Board of Poets in Defence of Humanity. I live in Lyttelton and apart from my tutoring for CSYW, I practise puppetry, music, poetry and edit and publish the literary journal Catalyst.

Elizabeth O’Connor

Elizabeth O’Connor is a freelance Christchurch writer and director with special interest in the development of new New Zealand plays and films. She is the Court Theatre’s literary manager and works for Operate Trust (locally) and Playmarket (nation-wide), assisting playwrights and devisers with new works. Elizabeth writes and directs radio and stage plays with the Skillwise mixed ability drama group, is artistic director of the Crashbash scriptwriting competition, and revels in working with young writers and their ever-surprising imaginations and empathy. She plays music, writes stories and poetry and does arts journalism, academic editing and voice coaching on the side.

Rachel Douglass

I’m Rachel Douglass, a former student of the Christchurch School for Young Writers, published in both Write On and Re-Draft, and enjoyed my time at CSYW immensely. I liked the fact that it gave me a definite time to devote to creative writing, and provided super tutors who helped develop my style and knowledge (which also helped with school English exams!). I have been studying English at the University of Canterbury. I have found tutoring for CSYW an enriching experience and this has helped me decide to train formally as a teacher once I complete my Hons. degree. I am a bookworm of the most voracious sort, and when I find time to write, my chosen style is poetry.

Executive Committee

Bob Gidlow (Chairman)

I’m Bob Gidlow and I became involved in the School through personal contact with Glyn, the founding director and because my daughter spent some time with CSYW. She moved on but I stayed! As a university teacher, I am routinely presented with examples of poor writing—with the inability of many young people to express themselves, clearly and creatively, in written form. I’m very proud to be part of a School and a culture (of our parents and their children) which values creative writing—in poetry, prose and performance.

Margaux Hlavac (Secretary)

Sarah Douglass (Treasurer)

I’m Sarah Douglass, the School’s treasurer. When my daughter was young and we lived in Rangiora, I had to fill time while she was busy enjoying herself at Young Writers. I soon joined the School’s executive committee and have stayed ever since, even though we have long moved to Christchurch and Rachel has become independent.

Dick Hlavac

I’m Dick Hlavac, an American who settled in New Zealand with my family in 1964. I was the Canterbury University Librarian from 1971 until my retirement in 1999. I was introduced to the School for Young Writers through participation by my two grand-daughters and I see the School as providing a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop their writing skills through helpful instruction and practical experience.

Write On Production Team

Rhys Bills-Strange, Glyn Strange, Jason Clements, Arnold Acres Design, Guardian Print.

Patrons

Joy Cowley, Dame Phyllis Guthardt.