Tracey Slaughter

Guest writer

Tracey Slaughter is the author of the acclaimed story collection scenes for deleted lovers (Victoria University Press, 2016), and teaches creative writing at the University of Waikato. She was awarded a 2018 Surrey Hotel writers residency and won Best Hair in the 2015 Spinoff literary awards. Tracey was born in Papatoetoe in 1972.

Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street (Image: Tina Tiller)

Why you should read The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

'You must read and re-read The House on Mango Street. Don’t wait: go there.' – NZ writer Tracey Slaughter on one of her favourite ever novels.

By Tracey Slaughter | 15th February, 2024

Tracey Slaughter; actors rehearsing the play based on her novella (Photos: Supplied; Design: Tina Tiller)

The strange honour of seeing my childhood trauma unpacked on stage

Tracey Slaughter watches her story come alive.

By Tracey Slaughter | 12th April, 2022

Midsummer, Otago (Photo: Jill Ferry via Getty)

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A tectonically moving piece of writing about dementia, and what remains.

By Tracey Slaughter | 4th January, 2021

Midsummer, Otago (Photo: Jill Ferry via Getty)

If found please return to

A tectonically moving piece of writing about dementia, and what remains.

By Tracey Slaughter | 7th November, 2020

Image by Daren Grover for iStock/Getty

Body horror: a stunning essay born of ‘unthinkable’ pain

A stand out essay about agony and release by Tracey Slaughter, from the new Landfall compilation Strong Words.

By Tracey Slaughter | 27th November, 2019

The Thursday Poem: ‘breather’ by Tracey Slaughter

The Thursday Poem: ‘breather’ by Tracey Slaughter

All week this week we present new verse, to celebrate National Poetry Day on Friday. Today's poet: Tracey Slaughter of Thames.

By Tracey Slaughter | 23rd August, 2018