A Poetry Masterclass with Anne Kennedy

Within These Walls: Masterclasses at Shadbolt House

Narrative Poetry: Writing your story-poem
With Anne Kennedy

What makes a poem a narrative poem — whether long or short? In this masterclass, Anne Kennedy explores how character, story, and voice can shape narratives within poetry. Through close reading and discussion of selected poems, participants will see how narrative poems are built, before experimenting with guided writing prompts to develop narrative in their own work.

Event details

Date: Sunday 22 March
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Ticket price: $30 / $25 (students, seniors, unwaged)

Series Offer: Book two workshops in the series for $55 ($45 concession) 

You’ll need to bring writing gear - pen and paper, or device

Afternoon tea included. This is a small, in-person event. Numbers are strictly limited to ten.  

Bookings: Please email tracey@goingwestfest.co.nz

Photo by Robert Cross

Anne Kennedy is a Tāmaki Makaurau poet, fiction writer and teacher. Recent books are The Sea Walks into a Wall and The Ice Shelf and, as editor, Remember Me: Poems to Learn by Heart from Aotearoa New Zealand. She is the current editor of AUP’s New Poets series. Awards include the Montana Book Award for Poetry and the Prime Minister's Award for Poetry.


This workshop forms part of the Going West Festival’s 30th anniversary programme, marking Shadbolt House’s emergence as a writers’ residency and literary hub.

About Shadbolt House

Shadbolt House is the former home of Maurice Shadbolt and is currently being restored as a writers’ residency and literary hub in West Auckland. Within These Walls brings writers and readers together for conversations and craft workshops in an intimate setting.