An Eastern Bay writer has had a career-changing opportunity in attending the recent Michael King Writers Centre.

Based in the historic Signalman’s House on the slopes of Takarunga Mt Victoria in Devonport, Auckland, the centre supports New Zealand writers and promotes the development of high-quality New Zealand writing.

Of 125 writers to apply, Sturme was one of 16 writers awarded a residency in 2025.

She took up the residency this month for two weeks to work on a young adult fiction novel based on preparing for natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The story will sit alongside her earlier manuscript about a group of teenagers experiencing a flood.

"The residency is designed to remove all the distractions so you can just focus on writing - and that is such a gift,” she said.

“I've paused work, said goodbye to the family, and focused on earth science research, word counts and character development instead."

Sturme said the house catered for up to two writers at time, includes a writer's studio, views of Auckland, and a library of works from past Centre alumni.

"Even just having time to read is precious - and critical for a writer to do."

She said she had just read Whakaari by former Ōpōtiki writer and whānau member Marion Day.

“Marion's book also features Whakaari/volcanoes but more as a metaphor for mental illness than as a physical state like my story is based around."

Sturme said she hoped upon residency completion that she would have completed the first draft of the novel.