Writing the seen and the unseen - Susanna Elliffe wins the Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize

Fueled by a lifelong love of writing, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University Master of Creative Writing student Susanna Elliffe has earned remarkable recognition winning the Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize for her manuscript Relic Party.

For as long as she can remember, Susanna has been drawn to words.

“I have always been creative and introspective. Reading deeply into things, observing life closely, analysing conversations and reflecting on the emotions I felt during different experiences,” Susanna says.

“Writing is my way of making sense of the world, of shaping thoughts and feelings into something lasting. It allows me to capture both the seen and the unseen, and to connect with others through shared human experience.”

Susanna acknowledges that her writing often strays from convention.

“I am aware that my writing is strange, surreal and lyrical, which doesn’t always align with the expectations of traditional fiction.

“To be recognised by such an award and to have this step towards publishing my collection, is beyond anything I imagined. It feels like an affirmation that there is space for unconventional voices and that readers are open to engaging with work that challenges, unsettles and invites them to see the world differently.”

Her prize-winning manuscript, Relic Party, is an anthology of short stories threaded with grief, environmental loss and nonhuman narratives, which will be published in 2026. Many of the stories lean into ecofiction, reflecting subtle traces of climate change or imagining climate-affected worlds. Much of her inspiration stems from the natural world, particularly the sea. Growing up near Oamaru Harbour and spending time in Manly and Karitane left a lasting impression.

“It would be my ultimate hope for the work not only to highlight the realities of loss and environmental change, but also to deepen empathy for each other, for other species and for the planet we share,” she explains.

Lecturer in Creative Writing and Susanna’s supervisor Whiti Hereaka says working with her is exciting.

“I admire Susanna’s boldness as a writer, always willing to challenge herself and her readers. Her work widens the possibilities of what a story can be and I can’t wait to see Relic Party in print,” Whiti says.

Susanna’s master’s research into defamiliarisation and linguistic deviation has also shaped her practice, encouraging her to experiment with form and language in bold new ways.

“Study has encouraged me to take more creative risks, to challenge the ways stories are usually told,” Susanna says.

Susanna describes herself as a lover of books, cats, castles, cups of tea and musical theatre. Her creative writing pathway began with a Graduate Diploma at Massey’s Palmerston North campus, where she also worked in the library. The option to complete her master’s degree by distance learning meant she could move back to Oamaru, reconnect with home and continue her studies.

“Massey gave me the opportunity to work with a highly regarded faculty and alongside a wonderful cohort of fellow writers,” she says.

Susanna credits both family and mentors for shaping her journey. Her grandmother, a lover of literature, was a steadfast supporter. Her father, a storyteller through his work with Heritage NZ and his own theatre projects, instilled in her a love of narrative. Her mother and sisters contributed to a household steeped in creativity, where inventing worlds was a shared pastime.

At Massey, lecturers and supervisors left a lasting imprint on her craft.

“My current supervisor, Whiti Hereaka, has been an incredible influence, challenging me to see texts from fresh perspectives and to push the boundaries of my own writing.”

She also worked with Thom Conroy, Bryan Walpert, Joan Fleming and Laura Jean McKay, each shaping her voice in different ways.

Susanna notes she is most proud of never letting her passion slip aside.

“Writing has always been present, a constant thread, and I’m grateful that I made space to honour it,” she says.

When asked if she had any advice for someone considering study, Susanna enthusiastically explained it is the greatest cultivator of passion.

“Study can expand your mind, sharpen your curiosity and give you a richer understanding of the world and yourself. If you have the chance to study something that excites you, take it. The value lies not only in the knowledge you gain, but in the way it shapes how you think, feel, and create.”