By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Monday, Feb 15, 2010

NZ Post Writers & Readers Week takes place in Wellington from March 9 – 14. Take a look at the full programme.

See your favourite author speak……online. Check out the great selection of top websites for “bookish” (but don’t let that put you off, there are some gems) videos at Flavorwire.

The Book Cover Archive is a very pleasant way to spend a few hours.

Previous Festival guest Junot Diaz makes a few predictions for 2010 in Read full post »

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Sunday, Feb 14, 2010

Send your beloved a poem read by a stellar cast of actors. Fancy Jude Law reading “O Mistress Mine” or Judi Dench reading “How do I love thee”? Look no further.

One of our favourites is James Fenton’s “In Paris With You”:

“Don't talk to me of love. I've had an earful
And I get tearful when I've downed a drink or two.
I'm one of your talking wounded.
I'm a hostage. I'm maroonded.
But I'm in Paris with you.”

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Friday, Feb 12, 2010

Join as a Festival Club Member before the 26th February and go in the draw to win a complete set of “Faber Firsts”.

“Faber Firsts” are stylish reprints of first novels by famous Faber authors. Nine are currently available and feature lovely vintage covers.

The set includes William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”, an essential read for Festival fans. Upcoming guest John Carey is the author of the first biography of the Nobel Prize-winning William Golding and will be discussing it at the 2010 Festival from 12 – 16 May.

Read full post »

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Thursday, Feb 11, 2010

Why do so many local feature films fail at the box office? Where is New Zealand cinema going wrong? In a recent Onfilm opinion piece, producer John Barnett wrote about the general failure of local feature films at the box office.

Script to Screen and the NZ Writers Guild are presenting a conversation between Graeme Mason, CEO of the NZ Film Commission and former head of projects for Channel Four UK, veteran exhibitor Joe Moodabe, and indie distributor John Davies. Local writer/director/producer Vanessa Alexander will MC the event.

The discussion “will focus on the importance of writers, directors and producers identifying an audience when developing a film
Read full post »

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Thursday, Feb 11, 2010

Free lectures from six exceptional alumni will enlighten and challenge at the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Speaker Day on Saturday 6 March. The University of Auckland Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the breadth of disciplines at the University, with the Speaker Day line up including a variety of topics from life on the edge - on the edge of creative and scientific discovery; on the sharp edge of controversy, and on the emergent landmass we call New Zealand, driven by motion between two plates. All the recipients have used their talent and expertise to make significant contributions that impact in positive ways on other people's lives. 



Read more information on the speakers and register for the events Read full post »

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Monday, Dec 21, 2009

In an Ideal World, Ideas Need Words

The Auckland Writers & Readers Festival is proud to announce that the following international guests will appear at the 2010 festival...

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009

Perth Writers Festival: 26 February - 1 March 2010

A.C. Grayling, Barry Lopez, our own Kate de Goldi, and more … Read more here.

Adelaide Festival Writers Week: 28 February - 5 March 2010

Jim Crace, William Dalrymple, Richard Dawkins, Sarah Dunant, Geoff Dyer, Andrea Levy, Audrey Niffenegger, Sarah Waters and our own Emily Perkins, Lloyd Jones and Philip Hoare, and many more …

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009

Maurice Gee's novel "Going West" literally comes to life in this gorgeous advertisement for the NZ Book Council.

Auckland agency Colenso BBDO worked with Andersen M Studio in London on the two-minute film, which took eight months to produce.

It was commissioned to inspire New Zealanders to read more books.

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Thursday, Nov 26, 2009

New Yorker Festival

I attended the New Yorker Festival in October, thanks in part to the generosity of the New Yorker and especially AWRF09 guest Rhonda Sherman, Director of the Festival.

As a first-time visitor to New York (strange but true), I revelled in the challenge of locating the events in a variety of wonderful venues, including the City Winery, the Directors Guild Theatre and the dining room at Conde Nast’s office.

Wishing I had three or four sentient clones, but only able to be in one place at one time, I left with wonderful memories of stand-out performances...

By Auckland Writers & Readers Festival on
Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009

Read about award-winning books from around the globe.

Take a look at our brief recap of recent literary prizes in Canada, France, Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands...