Kathryn van Beek
@kathrynvanbeek.bsky.social
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.
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
www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/tickets-1/ash-and-ice
Ash and Ice — Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival
www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz
October 18, 2025 at 12:42 AM
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
www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/tickets-1/ash-and-ice
Reposted by Kathryn van Beek
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 :)
Have a read to escape from the doom for a bit :)
"Underneath his new home, Xu discovered a model train setup, designed around an extensive network of train lines and miniature landscapes."
'I was shocked': Melbourne man's 'unbelievable' find after buying house
Daniel Xu has loved trains since he was a child. In a surprising twist of fate, he now lives above an extensive hobby train network set.
www.sbs.com.au
June 30, 2025 at 12:41 AM
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 :)
Have a read to escape from the doom for a bit :)
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 🐈
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.
lilobriengroupemail.substack.com
May 14, 2025 at 9:15 AM
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 🐈
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
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
March 21, 2025 at 11:37 PM
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
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
"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/2025/01/30/w...
Worrying about Dunedin Hospital
An author voices her concerns as Health Minister Simeon Brown prepares to make an announcement on Dunedin's hospital.
newsroom.co.nz
January 30, 2025 at 7:12 AM
"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/2025/01/30/w...
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 ❤️🩷
November 3, 2024 at 8:03 AM
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 ❤️🩷
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/
October 12, 2024 at 9:04 AM
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/
Here's a petition for the NZ govt to establish humanitarian visas for whānau of Palestinian New Zealanders change.org/specialvisa 🕊️
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...
change.org
September 4, 2024 at 9:33 AM
Here's a petition for the NZ govt to establish humanitarian visas for whānau of Palestinian New Zealanders change.org/specialvisa 🕊️
My short story, Papaya, is on Reading Room today 🥭 newsroom.co.nz/2024/08/17/s...
Short story: Papaya, by Kathryn van Beek
“Belle? Belle, are you okay?”: a hook-up in Rarotonga.
newsroom.co.nz
August 16, 2024 at 11:54 PM
My short story, Papaya, is on Reading Room today 🥭 newsroom.co.nz/2024/08/17/s...
Reposted by Kathryn van Beek
August 11, 2024 at 5:18 AM
My essay 'The Swiss Wolf' is up on The Spinoff today 🐺 thespinoff.co.nz/society/10-0...
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.
thespinoff.co.nz
August 10, 2024 at 9:53 PM
My essay 'The Swiss Wolf' is up on The Spinoff today 🐺 thespinoff.co.nz/society/10-0...
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 🩷 ❤️
May 21, 2024 at 6:26 AM
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 🩷 ❤️
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 ❤️🩷
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...
shorturl.at
May 16, 2024 at 7:25 AM
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 ❤️🩷
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!
May 13, 2024 at 6:53 AM
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!
Thanks for an amazing Otherhood launch on Wednesday night, Pōneke! ❤️🩷
otherhoodeditors.wixsite.com/-otherhood
otherhoodeditors.wixsite.com/-otherhood
May 9, 2024 at 10:33 PM
Thanks for an amazing Otherhood launch on Wednesday night, Pōneke! ❤️🩷
otherhoodeditors.wixsite.com/-otherhood
otherhoodeditors.wixsite.com/-otherhood
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...
Wellington on Weds: www.facebook.com/events/92247...
Auckland on Thurs: www.facebook.com/events/11578...
May 6, 2024 at 8:31 AM
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...
Wellington on Weds: www.facebook.com/events/92247...
Auckland on Thurs: www.facebook.com/events/11578...
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...
❤️Pōneke: www.facebook.com/events/92247...
❤️Tāmaki Makaurau: www.facebook.com/events/11578...
❤️Ōtepoti: www.facebook.com/events/13689...
March 23, 2024 at 4:07 AM
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...
❤️Pōneke: www.facebook.com/events/92247...
❤️Tāmaki Makaurau: www.facebook.com/events/11578...
❤️Ōtepoti: www.facebook.com/events/13689...
Graduation day! I finally got to wear the floppy hat! ❤️
March 15, 2024 at 4:14 AM
Graduation day! I finally got to wear the floppy hat! ❤️
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! ❤️
We're also hosting launches in Wellington (8 May), Auckland (9 May) and Dunedin (15 May). We'd love to see you there! ❤️
February 9, 2024 at 11:01 PM
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! ❤️
We're also hosting launches in Wellington (8 May), Auckland (9 May) and Dunedin (15 May). We'd love to see you there! ❤️
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...
Quicksand in Portobello
Today is the last day of the novelist Kathryn van Beek's year-long tenure as Dunedin's Robert Burns Fellow
newsroom.co.nz
January 30, 2024 at 8:03 PM
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...
On The Spinoff Today: a pick-a-path about pick-a-paths 🦈🏤💍👑
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.
thespinoff.co.nz
January 27, 2024 at 10:34 PM
On The Spinoff Today: a pick-a-path about pick-a-paths 🦈🏤💍👑
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...
January 26, 2024 at 2:34 AM
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...
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...
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...
www.odt.co.nz
January 23, 2024 at 8:20 PM
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...
My secret path adventure, The ManyEnding Story, is out now! Play for free online here: manyendingstory.itch.io/the-manyendi... 📚NZ
January 22, 2024 at 6:55 PM
My secret path adventure, The ManyEnding Story, is out now! Play for free online here: manyendingstory.itch.io/the-manyendi... 📚NZ
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
January 14, 2024 at 1:34 AM
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