Anna Woods
I am an award winning New Zealand author who writes short and long fiction, and occasional poems.
My debut novel, LIT, is to be published by Echo Publishing 2 June 2026
You can find me on instagram, bluesky, and TikTok or join my little letter to hear more about what I am reading and writing. I’d love to hear from you.
about
My story, ‘Pig Hunting’ won the 2023 Sargeson Prize, and I was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for my story, ‘So Clean‘.
My short fiction has been published in a variety of journals and I am fortunate to have enjoyed several residencies.
I have a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Auckland.
I am grateful to the Crystal Arts Scholarship for helping to fund my studies. I have also been generously supported by the NZSA with a mentorship and a CompleteMS Assessment.
My debut novel will be published by Echo Publishing in 2026.
Little letter
A little note from me, to you.
My little letter is a monthly note where I share some writing news, what I’ve been reading, and what’s on my TBR.
I love to talk about books so sign up and let’s chat.
Recent Stories
I love short stories. Writing them. Reading them. Here is a taster of my most recent stories for you to enjoy.
Black Harvest
It goes like this: eight days, seven nights in a place up north to write. You arrive with the dog, and a chilly-bin of frozen meals for one. Unpack your bag of organic apples, half-carton of eggs, dark chocolate, granola, unsweetened yoghurt, small block of hard cheese….
Tiny Galaxies
i) Did you know, she said, There’s a theory our universe might exist inside a black hole?
Really? he replied. Pass the salt.
The flurry of salt he shook onto the already seasoned steak flaked the surface like snow. When he sliced the meat, she felt it, almost. A slit down her spine…
The Years
She makes plum tarts the colour of blood. When she slices them, they have the texture of flesh. They stain her hands red…
All my publications
can be found here, with links to those available online