Author gets new role with group

Whanganui writer Joan Rosier-Jones has been named president of honour by the NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ).

The recognition came at PEN's annual meeting and is awarded in recognition of services to the society and to the literary community.

Ms Rosier-Jones has a long history with the society, both at the national and branch level.

She chaired the Auckland branch from 1993 to 1995, was president of the society from 1999 to 2001 and served as a member of the national council as delegate for North Island's Central Districts from 2003 to 2011.

When authors became shareholders of Copyright Licensing NZ, Ms Rosier-Jones was one of the first writer-directors.

She was the NZSA representative on the Copyright Council - now known as WeCreate - between 1998 and 2000.

She is on PEN's membership advisory committee, is a mentor and assessor in its professional development programme funded by Creative New Zealand tutors in writing.

Ms Rosier-Jones is a fiction writer for adults and children and has also published two guides for would-be authors.