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Kathryn van Beek

@kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social
748 followers 723 following 55 posts

Kathryn van Beek (she/her) is a Pākehā New Zealander of Dutch and English descent. A Robert Burns Fellow and a Winston Churchill McNeish Writers’ Fellow, Kathryn has a doctorate on the topic of using writing as a tool for positive change.

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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
How delighted was I to open Elizabeth Heritage's Scuttlebook email to see Pet featured as a "gem you might have missed"? 100% delighted! Thanks so much, Elizabeth ❤️ You can head on over to scuttlebook.ghost.io if you'd like to read the review and sign up for the newsletter. 📸 by Elizabeth
Mint-coloured book on a knitted object
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
My 2025 reading roundup! I went on a Daphne du Maurier and Tessa Hadley jag this year, and enjoyed discovering Cathi Unsworth, too 📚
A selection of book covers on coloured backgrounds. The authors and titles can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/41654560-kathryn-beek?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=readA selection of book covers on coloured backgrounds. The authors and titles can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/41654560-kathryn-beek?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=readA selection of book covers on coloured backgrounds. The authors and titles can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/41654560-kathryn-beek?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=readA selection of book covers on coloured backgrounds. The authors and titles can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/41654560-kathryn-beek?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=read
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Day three of the festive sound of the annual pre-Christmas battle of the power tools 🎄🚨
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Prepare for hot takes and volcanic discussion at 'Ash & Ice', the Dunedin Writers Fest session I'm chairing tomorrow. Lawrence Fearnley and Louise Wallace will share inspiration, craft insights, writing tips and much more in this fiery session! www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/tickets-1/ash-and-ice
dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz
Ash and Ice — Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival
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Dr Sarah Hendrica Bickerton 🏳️‍🌈 @sarahhbickerton.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Ok, this is just lovely, he was SO the right person to buy this house. Have a read to escape from the doom for a bit :)
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Check out my friend @lilobrien.bsky.social's substack where she reveals what it was like to co-edit Otherhood, and shares some hot pictures of 🐈
lilobriengroupemail.substack.com
How to write without feeling anything
You can't – but should Adele's 'Someone like you' be in every writer's toolbox? How I make myself write when I'm dead inside.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Dunedin City Council's looking for a Communications Advisor to join our friendly team. You'll contribute your mahi to: ❤️ Community wellbeing 🤝 Māori partnerships 🚰 City projects 🌳 Parks & nature 🎨 Arts & culture 🏛️ Democracy 🦭 ...and you'll learn a lot about pakake (sea lions)! shorturl.at/RGEnv
A street art image of three people dancing.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
"I’ve worked in the public sector for years, but it’s difficult to describe the privations of the hospital work environment. My office had IT issues so crazy-making I booked employee assistance appointments just to vent about them." newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/30/w...
newsroom.co.nz
Worrying about Dunedin Hospital
An author voices her concerns as Health Minister Simeon Brown prepares to make an announcement on Dunedin's hospital.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 03/11/2024
It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks bringing Otherhood to Nelson Arts Festival and Queenstown Writers Festival. Talking about the book, hanging out with our contributors, meeting other writers and hearing the stories of other 'others' has been such a treat ❤️🩷
Nelson Arts Festival: Four authors sit on stage in front of a purple curtainQueenstown Writers Festival: Three women sit on the edge of a stage, a geometric mural on the wall behind them
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 12/10/2024
Looking forward to chatting with Otherhood contributors Iona Winter, Etta Bollinger and Lily Duval at the Nelson Arts Festival 25 October 🐈❤️https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/otherhood-childless-childfree-child-adjacent/
The bold pink and red Otherhood book cover, on a pink background.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 04/09/2024
Here's a petition for the NZ govt to establish humanitarian visas for whānau of Palestinian New Zealanders change.org/specialvisa 🕊️
change.org
Sign the Petition
We urge the New Zealand Government to urgently establish a Special Humanitarian Visa to allow family members of New Zealand Palestinians, affected by the war in Gaza, to seek refuge in Aotearoa. New Z...
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 17/08/2024
My short story, Papaya, is on Reading Room today 🥭 newsroom.co.nz/2024/08/17/s...
newsroom.co.nz
Short story: Papaya, by Kathryn van Beek
“Belle? Belle, are you okay?”: a hook-up in Rarotonga.
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takahē magazine @takahemagazine.bsky.social · 11/08/2024
Our new issue! As beautiful inside as it is outside 🥰 www.takahe.org.nz/takahe-111/
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 10/08/2024
My essay 'The Swiss Wolf' is up on The Spinoff today 🐺 thespinoff.co.nz/society/10-0...
thespinoff.co.nz
The Spinoff Essay: Following the Swiss wolf, who walked 2,000 kilometres for love
When we insert ourselves into the lives of animals, we become complicit in their fates.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 21/05/2024
The Barrenesses (aka the OTHERHOOD editors) had a fab time at #awf24. We love the images @samorchard.bsky.social drew for us during our panel!🩷 ❤️ We sold out of our book at the event, but you can grab a copy from your local bookshop: shorturl.at/JPZSq 🩷 ❤️
Three panelists on a stageAuthors at a book signing tableImage of a woman talking and speech bubbles
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 16/05/2024
Thanks for a sweet OTHERHOOD launch Ōtepoti! A secret cake, brilliant readings and a few tears made our launch at the University Book Shop extra special ❤️🩷 Pics here: shorturl.at/arsFS ❤️🩷
shorturl.at
Kathryn van Beek
Thanks Ōtepoti Dunedin for a fantastic OTHERHOOD launch last night! Thanks to Jodie Gibson for the photos, Criollo Designer Cakes for the cake that had a BOOK hidden inside it, The University Book...
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 13/05/2024
Thanks for an incredible OTHERHOOD launch, Tāmaki Makaurau! Looking forward to the Ōtepoti Dunedin launch this Wednesday, 5.30pm at the University Bookshop. All welcome. There will be cupcakes!
Three women in pink and red suits
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 09/05/2024
Thanks for an amazing Otherhood launch on Wednesday night, Pōneke! ❤️🩷 otherhoodeditors.wixsite.com/-otherhood
A group of writers on stage at Meow bathed in pink light
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 06/05/2024
Looking forward to seeing Pōneke and Tāmaki Makaurau people at the Otherhood book launches later in the week! ❤️🩷 Wellington on Weds: www.facebook.com/events/92247... Auckland on Thurs: www.facebook.com/events/11578...
Red Otherhood book on pink background
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 23/03/2024
We'd love to see you at an Otherhood book launch in May 🎉 ❤️Pōneke: www.facebook.com/events/92247... ❤️Tāmaki Makaurau: www.facebook.com/events/11578... ❤️Ōtepoti: www.facebook.com/events/13689...
'Otherhood' text in white and pink on a red background
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 15/03/2024
Graduation day! I finally got to wear the floppy hat! ❤️
A red-haired woman in blue regalia
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 09/02/2024
You can now pre-order Otherhood (our book of essays about being childfree/childless) to arrive on your doorstep 9 May ❤️ www.masseypress.ac.nz/books/all/ot... We're also hosting launches in Wellington (8 May), Auckland (9 May) and Dunedin (15 May). We'd love to see you there! ❤️
An image of the Otherhood book cover, which features cream and pink text on a red background.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 30/01/2024
A wee piece on Newsroom today - my last day as the Robert Burns Fellow! 🖊️ A huge thank you to the University of Otago for an absolutely magical year 🩷 newsroom.co.nz/2024/01/31/q...
newsroom.co.nz
Quicksand in Portobello
Today is the last day of the novelist Kathryn van Beek's year-long tenure as Dunedin's Robert Burns Fellow
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 27/01/2024
On The Spinoff Today: a pick-a-path about pick-a-paths 🦈🏤💍👑
thespinoff.co.nz
The ManyEnding Story is an online choose-your-own-adventure for grown-ups
A pick-a-path essay about writing a pick-a-path story.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 26/01/2024
Will you bust an international smuggling ring, or will you get eaten by labradoodles? Play The ManyEnding Story to find out! 🦈🐕💍🕵️‍♀️🏝️ manyendingstory.itch.io/the-manyendi...
A collage of the various ManyEnding Story endings including artwork, quicksand, a beach, a shark, a detective and a dog
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 23/01/2024
At last, the listicle we've all been waiting for: The Top 10 Signatures on the Robert Burns Fellowship Desk 😎 www.odt.co.nz/opinion/gent...
odt.co.nz
Gentlemen, gentlewomen and scholars — the Burns Fellows
As Kathryn van Beek’s time as the University of Otago’s Robert Burns Fellow comes to an end, she contemplates the literary greats who have preceded...
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 22/01/2024
My secret path adventure, The ManyEnding Story, is out now! Play for free online here: manyendingstory.itch.io/the-manyendi... 📚NZ
'The ManyEnding Story' text over an image of water down by a boatshed.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 14/01/2024
The ManyEnding Story is out soon! Sign up to my mailing list to get your free digital copy before anyone else: www.kathrynvanbeek.co.nz/contact
A promo image featuring bedsheets, sneakers hanging from power lines, the ocean, and a tropical island sunset.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 10/01/2024
Ashland Creek Press will be accepting full-length novel submissions during March. They're looking for vegan-themed literature, from animal protection to climate change. www.ashlandcreekpress.com/about/submis...
ashlandcreekpress.com
Ashland Creek Press: Submissions
Ashland Creek Press: Submissions
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IIML @modernletters.bsky.social · 21/12/2023
Happy Christmas Tusiata Avia, winner of the 2023 Prime Minister’s Award for Poetry: congratulations to Tusiata, and to Linda Tuhiwai-Smith (Nonfiction) and Lee Murray (Fiction)!
creativenz.govt.nz
Three women writers recognised in top literary awards
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 17/12/2023
Cloud Ink Press is looking for novels... www.cloudink.co.nz/submissions
cloudink.co.nz
Submissions | cloudink
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Whitireia Publishing @publishingwhiti.bsky.social · 13/12/2023
We decided it was time to join #kikorangi. Coincidentally, did you know applications are open for the 2024 Penguin Random House Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship? Come and study with us! tinyurl.com/5b43b9bv
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 09/12/2023
My online secret path adventure story is coming in January 2024! 🎉 Which of these covers would make you most likely to give it a try? It's gothic, whimsical, and firmly set in Ōtepoti Dunedin, with lots of dastardly deaths (sharks! quicksand!) and happy-ever-afters (castles! tropical islands!) ❤️
Three variations on possible book covers for The ManyEnding Story
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 30/11/2023
I've just finished reading 'a liminal gathering', a collection about grief edited by the incredible Iona Winter. In the introduction Iona writes 'my hope is ... that it can be shared, lovingly between hands, during times when life is forever changed'. A phenomenal taonga. NZ📚
Books on a bookshelf with 'a liminal gathering' displayed in front of them.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 27/11/2023
I'm stoked to have a short story in Landfall Journal - and to have been commended in the Landfall Essay Competition!
Woman posing with a copy of the Landfall Journal
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Martin Shaw @thebooksdesk.bsky.social · 20/11/2023
She’s a Killer (@cursesmcd.bsky.social) a cover of the year! bookriot.com/the-best-boo...
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 18/11/2023
Extinction Rebellion's Red Rebel Brigade raising awareness of the environmental impacts of cruise ship pollution in Ōtepoti Dunedin's Octagon this morning.
A black dog with a 'love our wildlife' sign.A member of the Red Rebel Brigade in a red outfit and hat.Members of the Red Rebel Brigade in red outfits and hats.The Red Rebel Brigade with a sign identifying extinct animals in front of them.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 05/11/2023
Thanks everyone who came along to my Burns celebration last night, and thanks to Maggie's and Ōtepoti Dunedin City of Literature for making it such a great night. Excellent company, incredible food!
A collage of images of people at a party
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 02/11/2023
Drinks at Maggie's on Saturday! If you're an Ōtepoti reader, writer, literary type, or if you'd just like to come along and enjoy some wine and cheese, I'd love to see you there ❤️ fb.me/1UsbqX7RJKVy...
Drinks invitation featuring tartan and flowers.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 30/10/2023
Team huia for Bird of the Year! Here's my Spinoff article about these lovely birds ❤️🪶 thespinoff.co.nz/science/18-0... 📚NZ
thespinoff.co.nz
The Sunday Essay: Who shot the last huia?
It might have been my uncle.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 26/10/2023
Living my Jo March fantasies as I do my edits
A fountain pen, a bottle of red ink, and some inky fingers
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 21/10/2023
After weeks of dithering - I'm going to Verb! 💗📕 I'm super keen to head along to Brannavan's sold out workshop, if anyone finds themselves unable to attend✏️
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 18/10/2023
Congratulations to all the entrants of the University of Otago's Creative Writing Competition! There's a lot of talent in the university whānau, which made the judging process difficult but rewarding. The winning entries can be read here: www.otago.ac.nz/english-ling...
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 17/10/2023
I'm having a party at Maggie's (Ōtepoti, Dunedin) on 4 November to celebrate having the Burns fellowship this year. If you're a reader, a writer, a literary type or if you'd just like to come along and enjoy some wine and cheese, I'd love to see you there. Details here: fb.me/1EYBwmSvOBEN...
An invitation featuring Scottish tartan and some flowers.
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Dr Jes Hooper @jeshooper.bsky.social · 17/10/2023
I have a couple of really kickass research projects on the go at the moment that I'd like to share with the press. How does one find a #journalist interested in #environment #sustainability #globalcommodity #coffee #ethics and #wildlife ? Is anyone out there? www.thecivetproject.com
Jes sits next to a log burner, hoping the happy place will provide her with journalist  contacts
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English Literatures & Creative Communication-THW @elccprogramme.bsky.social · 11/10/2023
Interested in studying towards an MA in the literatures of Aotearoa New Zealand? Consider applying for the Lydia Wevers Scholarship in NZ Studies. Deadline 1 Nov: www.wgtn.ac.nz/scholarships...
wgtn.ac.nz
The Lydia Wevers Scholarship in New Zealand Studies supported by The Stout Trust | Scholarship...
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Craig Gamble @craiggamble66.bsky.social · 14/10/2023
Has anyone done this yet?
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 10/10/2023
The Otherhood manuscript is at proofing stage, and it has a beautiful cover that we can’t wait to reveal 😍 Photo feat. two of my co-editors, Lil and Poochie 📚 NZ
Lil, a babe, holds the Otherhood proof (an A3 print out) and a grey cat with adorable paws.
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 07/10/2023
Me: I must scale back this 115K-word WIP. Also me: What if I quickly throw in a wedding scene tho? 🙄🤣
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Kathryn van Beek @kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social · 27/09/2023
I really enjoyed catching up with Rebecca Fox for this piece about my fellowship in the ODT today. www.odt.co.nz/entertainmen... 📚NZ
A screen shot of the ODT article
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