- Titles in the Series -

Annual is a miscellany of New Zealand writing and illustration for readers between 9-12 years. We wanted to create a publication with high-quality, varied, challenging, and irreverent material across a range of forms, for an audience we believe is discerning, sophisticated, multi-literate, and hungry for good material. We wanted to produce a book that was markedly different to 'series' fiction and the other homogonous titles that currently dominate pre-teen publishing.

We also wanted to challenge some of the prevailing notions about what might be 'suitable' for this age group, and who might best provide it. Alongside established children's authors, we commissioned writers and artists who'd not previously produced work for young readers. We commissioned essays, satire and art commentary, too - forms new to most young readers.

Our secondary aim was to build a publication where new writers and illustrators could publish early work - an intermediary platform to bring promising writers to readers' attention. In short, we wanted to revitalise the reading experience for New Zealand readers in this age group and provide an ongoing publishing opportunity for writers and illustrators.

Annual's content is all commissioned - the best way to ensure a balance of genders, geography, ethnicity, rural/urban experience, and create a publication that reached as many kinds of NZ children and their famiies as possible.