This is mega-star crime writer Michael Connelly’s only appearance in Auckland and we’re very excited to offer you the chance to spend the evening with him on Tuesday 24 May. Michael will talk with crime buff, blogger and Ngaio Marsh Award judge Craig Sisterson about the film and his new book, The Fifth Witness, before you enjoy a private screening of “The Lincoln Lawyer”. He’ll be on hand to sign books after the film - seats are limited, so get in quick!

The Auckland Writers & Readers Festival and Hachette Publishers New Zealand are sad to announce that Ingrid Betancourt has cancelled her visit to New Zealand due to unforeseen family commitments.

If you haven't picked up your Festival tickets yet, better hop to it... things are gearing up. Lunch with Fatima Bhutto has already sold out and other events are selling fast. Here's an update.

Author David Mitchell recently spoke to The New Zealand Herald about his love of islands, Moriori and old Zeeland versus New Zealand.

The shortlist for the prestigious Orange Prize for Fiction were announced recently and we were very pleased to see two of the six shortlisted writers are participants in this year's Festival.

Our friends at Christchurch City Libraries tipped us off about this great interview with A.A. Gill in the Sydney Morning Herald recently. Reflecting on some of his more acerbic criticisms of other culinary skills, Gill ponders the point that travel may bring out his softer side. We look forward to seeing it over here in May.

If you haven't already, read of Rosemary McLeod's profile of author Farida Sultana, which featured recently in the Sunday Star Times.The founder of Shakti, the ethnic domestic-abuse support group, Sultana overcame great odds to write her book Purple Dandelion, and we are very proud to have her featuring at this year's Festival.
 

Do you want to be our next poetry superstar?? Dust off those composition books and get practicing for this year's Writers Festival poetry slam aka Poetry Idol. There are some great prizes up for grabs like a wad of cash for the winner, as well as of heaps of Booksellers Tokens for runners up!!

It can be found lurking in every library across the region and has spread to several other towns outside of Auckland, it has also spread to practically every bookshop and many other spots you may venture... the 2011 Auckland Writers and Readers programme has hit the streets.

In the Festival office we can't wait for this Special Event... especially once we read the appetite-inducing menu!