Submission guide for January ❤️
We talked about how last year was The Year of Revolt - I'm hoping this year will be the Year of Being Horny on Main. But that seems less likely with every new day and we're only on day bloody six. I mean, we've
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When is it OK to remove a dictator?
A friend asked me this morning if I was going to do an explainer on the United States bombing Venezuela overnight and kidnapping of their president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Feel free to skip to the comments if you read this already in your email! Skip to
You WILL have a good 2026
My son has an endearing quality: he is incredibly literal. A long-running joke in our family is asking each other, 'How did you sleep?' and then closing our eyes and saying 'like this'. When we are in a rush, we sometimes say to each other, '
New Year's In Reads & Recs
I'm staying inside this New Year's due to exhaustion and the weather. I'll be hosting a bunch of tweens but other than that I plan on cozying up with a book. Maybe you're in the same boat? Here's my list
The Top 1 Listicle You'll Read This Year
Emily Writes Wrapped: The Top 10 EWW posts in 2025
Are you ready for Christmas bingo?!
You might think the festive season is a time for togetherness, positivity and joy, but you could not be more wrong. Let’s play the worst game of bingo with the usual suspects getting ready to leave a turd in your Christmas trifle. Feel free to skip to the comments
Waiting for the Bell of Peace
I have not been religious for a very long time. I haven't set foot in a church in years. There's not much I hold dear about Christianity anymore. But Christmas is something I've held onto. For me, Christmas has always been about service, about
Thank you New Zealand
As our pōhutukawa bloom, we are asking you to help hope bloom in Gaza for our precious families. While our babies open presents on Christmas Day, in Gaza, mothers mourn their children. Unable to even bury them. It is bitterly cold in Gaza right now, yet surviving Palestinians are in
FNC - The Christmas countdown
Kia ora friends! It's Friday Night Chats time. It's so lovely to be together while we count down to Christmas. It's been such a sad and hard week - a gut wrenching week for many - so I'm glad we can come
Christmas wishes from your favourite people
With just a few days until Christmas I thought I'd ask some of my favourite people about their Christmas wishes. Finding out what inspires the people who inspire me has always helped me to feel encouraged, and remind me I'm part of a community. I hope
Action is the antidote to despair
Look for the helpers - and then help them.
FNC - Unbothered. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing.
Welcome to Friday Night Chats! I am so excited to chat with you. My break was so so good. I loved it, and I am so much happier. Truly, all I needed was to dance with my friends. And then I thought the transition back to Real Life would be
The Christmas balls story
I tried to recreate the Christmases of my childhood - it was A TIME lol Around this time, every year since it was first published in 2017, I’m asked to share my ‘Christmas balls’ story. So here it is. Meri Kirihimete. Subscribe now After my grandmother died, Christmas became
Supporting neurodivergent children at Christmas 🎄
Most people with neurodivergent children will know Christmas can be difficult because it is a major change to routine and there are enormous expectations. There are many aunties and uncles, siblings, grandparents, and family friends who want to support the kids they love who have autism, ADHD, or any other
Yup, they're using AI to develop the NZ curriculum
The Ministry of Education is using AI to develop the new curriculum for New Zealand students. In a response to an Official Information Act request made by a member of the public and supplied to Emily Writes, the Ministry said it was using AI to “enhance development processes across the
AI stole my books - and I won't get a cent from the lawsuit
FK AI 4Eva honestly Once upon a time, a fantastic woman rang me to say she was from Penguin Random House and she wanted me to write a book. I was at my public sector job, exhausted, with two kids under two. I thought it was a prank call. Feel
FNC - Yes, I'm obsessed with the gay sports show!!!
What we're watching, reading, and listening to as we hurtle towards Christmas
Apparently feeding your kids is easy
...as long as you're not the one doing it.
The gift guide that gives back
This Christmas, do you want to support the community while buying presents? You can! This is our annual gift guide that gives back. Almost all of the gifts on this list are from not-for-profits or are fundraisers. I hope you find something you love to treat yourself or someone else!
FNC - No longer round earth committed
Kia ora, how are you doing? It's Friday Night Chats time! I am so happy you're here with me. I have some really great reads to share this week. Like a lot. A lot. Let's chat! Subscribe to Emily Writes WeeklySkip to comments if
The winter tragedy being hidden from view
Aotearoa is just days away from the start of summer. In Palestine, winter officially begins in December, but it's already in full force. And it's adding even more misery to Palestinians trying to survive a genocide. That's why we are launching a campaign to
The Year in Revolt
It's not yet December, but I'm getting in early. This is a reflection on the past year and what we've been doing here as a community. As I went to publish this, at 5pm, the government put out a statement saying they’re scrapping
FNC - *general screaming*
Kia ora, welcome to Friday Night Chats! I have had a hugely annoying week, and I am very, very, very glad it's Friday. Even though I have to work tomorrow. Let's chat! Subscribe to Emily Writes WeeklySkip to comments if you read this in your email!
What the HELL is happening with the new school curriculum?
Over and over again, I've had emails and messages from parents asking me about the new curriculum. I tried to get my head around it, but just had more questions than answers. So I teamed up with my friend and fellow writer, Josh Drummond, and we came up with questions we'd like to see answered.