Paula Morris – författare

Spanning three generations of a large Pakeha/Maori family in a narrative that skilfully handles interwoven stories and multiple voices, Queen of Beauty explores the fragility of truth, the elusiveness of the past, and the transcendent power of love.Virginia Seton lives in rainy, seedy New Orleans, working as a researcher for a historical novelist with a ''strip-mined'' imagination. On a brief trip back to New Zealand for her sister''s wedding, Virginia is drawn into the family secrets, lies and tensions of both the past and the present.

A smart comedy of manners, a satire on celebrity and a warning on the dangers of getting naked in Williamsburg.Jane Shore, flippant and world-weary heroine, lives in New York City, works in PR and is officially Ugly On The Inside. An unpromising encounter with a bitter stranger, who shouts at her, ''Did anyone ever tell you that you''re ugly? Ugly on the inside,'' sets the scene for the next few months of her life. As if Ugly On The Inside wasn''t bad enough, Jane''s being sidelined at work by the ambitious fashion-victim Lee Munroe; her West Village apartment''s being sold; her cousin Frances is going out with her megalomaniac boss; and she''s still single – the gorgeous Guy Weaver being taken already. Is it time for Jane to acknowledge that the Holy Trinity of job, house and man might not pan out quite how she expected? Is it time for her to accept Mr Not-quite-right, a Brooklyn postcode, and that she''s reached the less-than-lofty ceiling of her PR career? Jane''s search for love and success takes the reader on a madcap ride through the PR scene of hip-hopera and porn entrepreneurs, and the bars and clubs of Manhattan.

Based on a true story   Auckland, June 1886. Ngati Wai chief Paratene Te Manu spends long sessions, over three long days, having his portrait painted by the Bohemian painter Gottfried Lindauer. Hearing of Lindauer''s planned trip to England reminds him of his own journey there, twenty years earlier, with a party of northern rangatira. As he sits for Lindauer, Paratene retreats deeper and deeper into the past, from the triumphs in London and their meetings with royalty to the disintegration of the visit into poverty, mistrust, and humiliation.   ''Morris'' research is both thorough and thoughtful . . . With its light, often wry tone, much of the story-telling is amusing, albeit desperately poignant.'' —Margie Thomson, Canvas   ''An extraordinary literary achievement and probably the best of recent New Zealand historical novels.'' —Nicholas Reid, New Zealand Books   ''[An] adroitly told historical novel . . . Paratene – old, forgetful but wise and generous in his appraisals – is our lens, and he''s a triumph of characterisation, his voice genial and flawlessly authentic.'' —John McCrystal, New Zealand Listener   Also available as an eBook

Hiwa is a vibrant, essential collection of contemporary Māori short stories, featuring twenty-seven writers working in English or te reo Māori. The writers range from famous names and award winners – Patricia Grace, Witi Ihimaera, Whiti Hereaka, Becky Manawatu, Zeb Nicklin – to emerging voices like Shelley Burne-Field, Jack Remiel Cottrell, Anthony Lapwood and Colleen Maria Lenihan.A showcase of contemporary talent, Hiwa includes biographical introductions for each writer’s work, and explores the range of styles and subjects in the flourishing world of Māori fiction.Named for Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the ninth star of Matariki, signifying vigorous growth and dreams of the year ahead, this anthology reveals the flourishing world of Māori writing today, in Aotearoa and beyond.