Fiction  |
| Poetry |
| Plays |
| Non-fiction |
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Children As a fulltime freelance writer, author, and speaker since 1990, John Parker is able to write in, workshop on, or give talks about, the following:
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John Parker enjoys working in many genres: fiction; poems; plays; non-fiction articles.
Fiction
In children's fiction, John has written some 15 stories for Learning Media, almost 20 for Radio New Zealand, and has also written stories for the former Kiwikids and for TV1's 'Chatterbox.' His children's stories have appeared in 12 anthologies.
Fiction
In children's fiction, John has written some 15 stories for Learning Media, almost 20 for Radio New Zealand, and has also written stories for the former Kiwikids and for TV1's 'Chatterbox.' His children's stories have appeared in 12 anthologies.
Poetry
John's verse is mostly for children. In addition to his rhyming narrative and rhyme-and-rhythm stand-alone titles, some 30 of his poems – including translations into Maori - have been published by Learning Media in its publications, especially in the School Journal and in audio material. John Parker's verse has also appeared in New Zealand Correspondence School publications, in Australia's School Magazine and Crest, and in two anthologies.
John's verse is mostly for children. In addition to his rhyming narrative and rhyme-and-rhythm stand-alone titles, some 30 of his poems – including translations into Maori - have been published by Learning Media in its publications, especially in the School Journal and in audio material. John Parker's verse has also appeared in New Zealand Correspondence School publications, in Australia's School Magazine and Crest, and in two anthologies.
First Day
Like something just born
I fall and flounder and flop and flag,
With my long metal feet
And my long metal arms
And my boots
And gloves
And goggles
And thick clothing
And pudding-basin hat.
A cow doesn't ask her calf to ski –
Why does Mum do this to me?
© John Parker. First published in Learning Media's School Journal,
part 2, number 3, 1985
Like something just born
I fall and flounder and flop and flag,
With my long metal feet
And my long metal arms
And my boots
And gloves
And goggles
And thick clothing
And pudding-basin hat.
A cow doesn't ask her calf to ski –
Why does Mum do this to me?
© John Parker. First published in Learning Media's School Journal,
part 2, number 3, 1985
Plays
John has published over 20 children's plays with Learning Media. Some have been translated into Maori, or been used in various media forms by the New Zealand Correspondence School. Four of these feature the amazing inventions of super-boffin Professor Ponsonby. This character has also starred in 20 radio-play episodes John wrote for Radio New Zealand National programmes for children and in a Tui Turbo imprint book published by Harper Collins, Professor Ponsonby, McIntosh, and the Wool Bug. Other radio-play work for children includes several scripts for the former 'Grampa's Place' on National Radio.
John's children's plays have also been published, produced or broadcast elsewhere: on BBC School Radio (a five-part romp entitled Freddy Flint, Grocer Boy); and in Australia's School Magazine (an adaptation of a Greek myth).
John has published over 20 children's plays with Learning Media. Some have been translated into Maori, or been used in various media forms by the New Zealand Correspondence School. Four of these feature the amazing inventions of super-boffin Professor Ponsonby. This character has also starred in 20 radio-play episodes John wrote for Radio New Zealand National programmes for children and in a Tui Turbo imprint book published by Harper Collins, Professor Ponsonby, McIntosh, and the Wool Bug. Other radio-play work for children includes several scripts for the former 'Grampa's Place' on National Radio.
John's children's plays have also been published, produced or broadcast elsewhere: on BBC School Radio (a five-part romp entitled Freddy Flint, Grocer Boy); and in Australia's School Magazine (an adaptation of a Greek myth).
Non-fiction articles for children
Around 15 of John Parker's photo-articles have been published by Learning Media. The subject-matter is diverse: a clown’s training and tricks, the techniques of a glass-maker, an enormous pohutukawa tree in the East Cape's Te Araroa, the work of a violin-maker in the Waikato's Cambridge, an elephant's acupuncture in Auckland Zoo, and the police chasing a burglar right beside John's former home on the North Shore of Auckland. (Luckily the camera was full of film.)
Around 15 of John Parker's photo-articles have been published by Learning Media. The subject-matter is diverse: a clown’s training and tricks, the techniques of a glass-maker, an enormous pohutukawa tree in the East Cape's Te Araroa, the work of a violin-maker in the Waikato's Cambridge, an elephant's acupuncture in Auckland Zoo, and the police chasing a burglar right beside John's former home on the North Shore of Auckland. (Luckily the camera was full of film.)
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Many professional writers keep a writing journal – only read by themselves. That allows them to write more freely and openly: on any topic, in any way, at any time, and at any convenient place. It refreshes their writing skills, and over time it becomes a treasure-chest of material for reference. How's your writing journal? |
