To be a writer is to be a lifelong learner. This mindset defines the creative trajectory of Megan Frith, a versatile storyteller who has continually refined her craft through multiple courses at NZ Writers’ College.
Starting with the Short Story Course, Megan says, ‘I had a number of “aha” moments … the feedback and explanations just made everything click properly somehow.’
She enjoyed the course so much, she signed up for the next one shortly after. ‘Sonny is fabulous. I loved her no-fluff approach. It was obvious from the beginning that she knew what she was doing … I enjoyed her tutelage so much, I signed up for the Novel Writing course and requested her as a tutor.’
‘Something pulled me towards the NZ Writers’ College Literary Short Story Course, and I never regretted trusting my instincts on that one. In fact, I went on to enrol in two more courses. I think I’m an addict!’
This preparation yielded rapid results across national competitions and literary publications.
Megan claimed First Place in the 2014 Page & Blackmore Short Story Competition with her story ‘Scars’, followed by Third Place in the 2015 competition for ‘Till Death’, and earned Honours in the NZ Writers’ College Short Story Competition. Her fiction reached wider audiences through publication in takahē magazine and the Horizons and Horizons 2 anthologies compiled by the NZ Society of Authors, alongside a shortlist placement in the UK Fiction Factory Flash Fiction Competition. She also took First Place in the Writers’ College global 5-Day Online Writing Challenge out of hundreds of participants.
Megan went on to complete the Write a Novel Course, Grammar for Writers Course, and Write a Children’s Book Course, all with distinction. Never content to remain in her comfort zone, Megan then expanded her storytelling onto the screen by taking the Scriptwriting Course at NZ Writers’ College under the mentorship of multi-award-winning screenwriter Karen Jeynes.
Guided by her belief that ‘no matter how good you are, there is always more you can learn’, Megan quickly launched onto the global film festival circuit. Her screenwriting accolades include emerging as a 2025 Austin Film Festival Semi-Finalist and two-time Second-Rounder in the Comedy Feature category, as well as securing Quarter-Finalist honours in both the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards and the Final Draft Big Break Competition.
Today, Megan’s portfolio features a dynamic slate of screenplays across multiple genres: Influence Her, a sharp dramedy exploring modern romance and digital deception; Late to Life, a romantic comedy featuring an older executive finding love and purpose; Heaven Help Us, a comedy of errors and redemption from beyond the grave; and Christmas Couture, a small-town Hallmark-style holiday romance.
Megan’s advice for writers just starting out? ‘Take courses, get feedback on your work (preferably from a professional; it’s worth the money, believe me!), attend workshops if that’s your thing, and enter competitions. They give you practice writing and a deadline to work towards.’
From short story accolades to international screenwriting recognition, Megan’s journey illustrates how embracing expert mentorship and continuous learning can transform creative ambition into award-winning success.
Find out more about Megan’s portfolio here.
