ThespinoffJul 14, 2026 ~1 min source read

A new, free festival puts marginalised writers on the main stage

The founder of a new, free, online literature festival explains why she's tackling 'side-room syndrome'. Marginalia Lit Fest Live is the freshest offering in Aotearoa's suite of literature festivals.

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The founder of a new, free, online literature festival explains why she's tackling 'side-room syndrome'.

Marginalia Lit Fest Live is the freshest offering in Aotearoa's suite of literature festivals.

It's free, online and has a very clear kaupapa: to feature marginalised authors and publishing professionals.

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The useful part

Books editor Claire Mabey spoke to the founder, curator, technical manager, producer, host and everything else, Jackie Lee Morrison. The founder of a new, free, online literature festival explains why she's tackling 'side-room syndrome'. Marginalia Lit Fest Live is the freshest offering in Aotearoa's suite of literature festivals.

How it works

It's free, online and has a very clear kaupapa: to feature marginalised authors and publishing professionals.
Jackie Lee Morrison: I started it because my book had gone out on submission and I didn't have anything else to do.
When I came to this year's festival I wanted to focus in and make it specifically for marginalised, queer, neurodiverse, POC authors and publishing professionals because at big festivals we always end up in...

Details worth keeping

I'd been given live permissions on TikTok and wanted to chat to people. So what's different about this second edition of the fest?

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