Stories

Find our posters at bus stops around Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, scan the QR code and discover unmissable stories for your ride. Or take it home!

Read extracts to get hooked on your next read,
Have a quick look at book blurbs and reviews made by people who know a lot more than us and see what is there for you (or is it a birthday gift for somebody special),
Listen to interviews and podcasts
Watch book trailers
Listen to radio adaptations
Find collections and catalogues

Special thanks to our special partner for making Stories the Go a reality!

We are proud members of The Coalition for Books

The Coalition for Books is a kaitiaki (guardian) of Aotearoa New Zealand’s literary landscape overseeing wider engagement and access for readers with the diverse range of high quality locally produced books.

Stories for Paint n' Pen Submission

Hide n Seek

Inspiration: “Hide and Seek” by Wongi “Freak” Wilson I walked across the bustling street, a soft breeze in my face. My ...More

Inspired by Street Art, Young Writer

Hazel Young

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Six Ways to Look at Time

Inspiration: Artwork by Tepid and Wisk A continuous loop repeating itself. A couple seconds closer to your birthday. A few seconds closer to de ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Amor Budiyanto

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Ōtautahi

Inspiration: Kaitaki by Fin Dac Ōtautahi I am the guard Keeper of the land protector of my children Teacher of my students I am the ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Katelyn Gee

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Stuck Duck

Inspiration: Artwork by Richard “Pops” Baker Don’t hang me on the wall of your lounge Freeze frame frozen in time I need undiluted ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Denise Silk-Martelli

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Alice’s Adventures 2

Inspiration: Artwork by Jacob Yikes The afternoon sun has made Alice sleepy. She follows White Rabbit down a different dark, mossy hole and emerg ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Alice Li

2 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Shapes

Inspiration: Artwork by Owen Dippie Ballerina twirling past me dressed in a beautiful blue. Two girls invite me to play their game of hide and seek. A ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Cleo Hopkinson

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Murky Storm

Inspiration: Artwork by Cracked Ink Cluttered clouds brimmed the bleak sky. Rain Rapidly drenched the buildings. The gusty wind Accelerated ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Amor Budiyanto

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Flying or Falling

Inspiration: She came from the stars by Vexta Cracks in calm conversational contrast A headstrong song holds on as They play along She� ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Alia Govin-Fowler

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Sing to Strangers

Inspiration: Artwork by Cracked Ink Silver fences keep me from the touch of tourists. I am kissed by cameras, spoken around, as though I have n ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Meché Phillips

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Protector

Inspiration: Kaitaki by Fin Dac Feathers rising high above the clouds Powerful wāhine warrior, our guardian Watching and waiting Protecting Ch ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Koru 3 Bromley School

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Family and Treaty

Inspiration: “Elephants” by Owen Dippie A family, part of a herd, strong, steady and constant. My first visit to Christ ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Jean-Paul Leung

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Pirate Ship

Inspiration: Artwork by D Side Cluck, cluck, cluck, A pirate digging. Dig, dig, dig, Deeper in the sand. Brr, brr, The tree leaves swishing, Sw ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Selena Budiyanto

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Forces Over Time

Inspiration: Forces by Dr. Suits Geometry at odds And connected Evolving blues and yellows Sea and sky, Community repatterning Young, urban ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Jo Sharp

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Like a cat

Inspiration: Artwork by Anne McDonald Artwork location, details and photo credit https://watchthisspace.org.nz/artwork/770 Scratching on a hairy post. ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Selena Budiyanto

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Poem in Tanka style

Inspiration: High Pressure/Low Pressure by Josh O’Rourke Dragons fly easy High streams of sibylline light Lazy loops of gold Cerulean mys ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Fern Mercier

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Dragonfly on Blue Clifftops

Inspiration: High Pressure/Low Pressure by Josh O’Rourke Rarer than gold Water shading, light dancing, greased lightning. Shimmer ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Fern Mercier

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

The Sea Serpent

Inspiration: Artwork by Berst Artwork location, details and photo credit https://watchthisspace.org.nz/artwork/456 A strange creature followed me. Enchante ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Selena Budiyanto

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission

Substance

Inspiration: The Hector Dive by Telmo and Miel Take me with you, Dolphin, let me Clasp tightly Onto your jagged fin Breath thro ...More

Inspired by Street Art

Chloe Morrison-Clarke

1 min read

Published by Paint n' Pen Submission