Calendar of Literary Events: July to September
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To add your event to this page email web@bookcouncil.org.nz
Wellington, Meet Author Lorraine Russell
28 July, 2.00pm
The Friends of Hutt City Libraries presents the July "Meet the Author" event. Lorraine Russell will be speaking about he book "Family Hold Back". Lorraine is a local author and her book published in 2001 is a very moving story of her childhood during the depression and W.W.11. It is often delightful and at other times stark. Times are harsh and so are the people. Love is not spoken of and tenderness is rare. Come and experience this personal account at Naenae Library.
Auckland, Winter Warmers
2 August - 16 August, 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Winter Warmers is the idea of poets Anna-Kaye Forsyth and Renee Liang. “We wanted a space where there would be no boundaries between artist and audience,” says Renee, and Anna adds, “….and where everyone could enjoy tea, biscuits and brain stimulation!”. Supported by the Auckland Art gallery, which provides the venue free of charge, the two have created a programme that showcases emerging and established artists from disciplines as diverse as visual arts, dance, theatre, poetry and film.
August 2 – Poetry: Raewyn Alexander and Iain Britton. Join these two award-winning poets and writers as they talk about and read from their work.
August 9 – Spoken Word and Music: Ed Mecija, The Literatti. Ed has received acclaim for his unique blend of spoken word and music in his native LA. He will perform with his creative partner Samylka. The Literatti are a 6-person theatrical poetry band who have created a buzz in arts festivals around the country.
August 16 – Theatre: Oryza’s Asian Tales Project, Thomas Sainsbury. Oryza is an organisation dedicated to promoting Asian performing arts. They will present and discuss material from Asian Tales, a set of 7 short Kiwi-Asian plays. Thomas Sainsbury is a prolific young writer and director whose plays are attracting a large following in Auckland.
Venue: The Art Lounge, corner Lorne and Wellesley Sts (next to Pathfinders bookshop)
Cost: Gold coin koha, tea and biscuits provided free. $4 all day parking vouchers for Victoria St Carpark.
Wellington, Hand to Hand - Five Laureates
4 August, 5.30pm
As part of Victoria University's laureate summit this is a rare chance to hear all New Zealand's living poet laureates read at one event. Current laureat Michelle Leggott is joined by former laureates Jenny Bornholdt, Bill Manhire, Elizabeth Smither and Brian Turner for an evening of vintage New Zealand poetry, a glass of Te Mata Estate wine, and the launch of poetry CDs by Manhire and Bornholdt. Kate Camp is master of ceremonies. Refreshments 5.30pm, readings start 6pm. All the laureates will bring their tokotoko (a stick carved with details personal to each of them) to this event - the first time these will all have been assembled in one place.
Venue: National Library Foyer, corner Aitken and Molesworth. Free admission.
Auckland, Westie Writing Workshops: Release your inner muse
4 August –
8 week course – beginners and experienced writers welcome. Poetry, prose and drama will be covered.
Classes held at the Massey Community House
Mondays 7 - 9 P.M.
Tutor: Stafford Christian
Telephone 09 833-9220 www.masseycommunityhouse.co.nz
Wellington, Montana Awards discussion with Lynn Freeman and Tim Corballis
7 August, 7.30pm – 9.00pm
In the spirit of frank discussion Lynn Freeman and Tim Corballis will discuss the busy six month process of judging this year’s competition.
Joining them will be three of the finalists and winners: Mary McCallum, Gregory O’Brien and Johanna Aitchison. Each author will give readings from their work and discuss the meaning of the awards to them as writers, and then all panellists will participate in a discussion about the issues and their experiences of the awards. The floor will then be opened for audience members to both contribute and hear more about issues raised throughout the evening.
Venue: Museum of Wellington, Queens Wharf, Jervois Quay, Wellington
Cost: Free admission
Wellington, Grimm stuff: folk tales and fairy stories
8 August - 8 November, National Library Gallery
Early fairy stories were not written for children - their narratives were often violent or bawdy. However, since the 18th century, tales by Madame d’Aulnoy and Charles Perrault have been part of the childhood experience of generations of children and by the Victorian era the genre was primarily considered a children’s entertainment.
This book-based exhibition, drawn from the Dorothy Neal White and National Children’s Collections of the National Library of New Zealand, showcases the work of notable illustrators of fairy stories from the Victorian era to today. The exhibition also explores some folk tales from around the world, and the 'flower fairy' phenomenon.
Auckland, International Sylvia Ashton-Warner Centennial Conference
9th & 10th August 2008
The Faculty of Education and The Faculty of Arts at The University of Auckland will mark the centennial of the birth of one of New Zealand's most well-known and controversial writers by hosting this international conference at the university’s Epsom Campus.The conference is a University of Auckland 125th Jubilee event and will be an opportunity for scholars, writers, literary critics, teachers and others to celebrate and critique the work of this talented and complex woman.
Keynote Speakers will include Elliot Henderson, Sylvia's eldest son from London; Bob Gottlieb, Knopf Publishing from New York by satellite feed. For further information and to register go to www.education.auckland.ac.nz and click on the Sylvia Ashton-Warner conference link on the home page. Conference Organiser: Eddy van Til +64 3 313 2097, eddy@eenz.com . Early Registration closes 1st July.
Christchurch, Launch of Alchemy of the Islands
13 August, 6.00pm –
Published by Neo-ismist Press, Alchemy of the Islands is a unique literary collaboration between two cities and two island nations, collecting poetry from ten poets living in Christchurch, New Zealand and ten poets from Holguin, Cuba.
The launch features as part of the Montana Wednesday Evenings for August at the Christchurch Art Gallery and will involve readings from local emerging and established poets, performed in both English and Spanish. Live Cuban-flavoured music will greet people on arrival.
Venue: Philip Carter Family Auditorium, Christchurch Art Gallery, Cnr Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street, Christchurch
Free admission
Wellington, Launch of AUP New Poets 3
13 August, 5.30pm –
AUP new Poets 3 by Janis Freegard, Katherine Liddy and Reihana Robinson will be launched with poetry readings followed by music from the fabulous Sans Souci. Poetry! at 6ish; accordion music! at 6:30ish; free spiders! fine company! cheese straws!
Venue: Mighty Mighty, Cuba Mall, Wellington
Free admission
Wellington, Meet the Writers at Onslow College
14 August - 4 September 2008
Every Thursday from 14 August, local Wellington writers will be featured in this Meet the Writers programme. Glenn Colquhoun is up on 14 August, Nicky and Mandy Hagar on 21 August, Linley Boniface and Nikki Macdonald on 28 August and Laurence Fisher and Jan Thompson on 4 September.
Venue: Onslow College, Burma Road, Johnsonville, Wellington
Time: 7.00-9.00pm
Cost: $40 for all four sessions
Contact: commed@onslow.school.nz or call (04) 455 1118.
Wellington, Man of the People - David Geary
11 August, 1.00-200pm
Award-winning playwright, short fiction writer and occasional poet David Geary talks Twain and tuatara at Writers on Mondays.
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Wellington, Beautiful Script - Graeme Tetley
18 August, 1.00-2.00pm
A rare chance to hear one of New Zealand's most distinguished screenwriters talk about his craft. Chaired by Ken Duncum
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Wellington, Poetry Oz - Geoff Page
25 August, 1.00-2.00pm
An Australian poet who has published 16 collections of poetry, two novels, two verse novels and a reader's guide to contemporary Australian poetry brings news of writing across the Tasman and talks about his own work with Greg O'Brien.
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Wellington, Helter Skelter
20 August , 6.30pm -
Poetry readings by Harry Ricketts, Richard Langston, Rob Hack and Mark Pirie, plus launch of Mark Pirie's new books Slips: cricket poems (ESAW) and Bottle of Armour and Trespassing in Dionysia (both Original Books).
Venue: Cinema City Gallery, Civic Square, Wellington
Cost: koha
Wellington, Writers Read: Martin Edmond
21 August, 6.00pm -
Chair: Ingrid Horrocks.
Venue: Level D, Room 16, Block 5, Entrance A, (access through "The Pyramid"), Massey University Wellington Campus, Wallace Street
Free admission
RSVP: to Jo Fink (j.w.fink@massey.ac.nz or 04 801 5799 ext 6696) by Wednesday 20 August.
Palmerston North, Massey University's Writer Read series
22 August, 7.00pm -
Guest Writer: Martin Edmond
Venue: Palmerston North City Library, 4 The Square
Free admission
Wellington, Joy Cowley Talks About Getting Started as a Children’s Book Author
25 August, 7.30pm -
Interested in writing for children? Award-winning children’s book writer Joy Cowley will talk about what’s involved, how to get started, where to send work off to, having an agent, the role of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, what some current gaps in the market are, and much more. This event is put on by the Wellington Children's Book Association.
Venue: Upper Chamber, Arts Centre, 61-69 Abel Smith Street, Wellington
Cost: $5, $3 for PEN/NZSA members
Wellington, Poetry Oz - Geoff Page
25 August, 1.00pm -
'Poetry Oz - Geoff Page' – an Australian poet who has published 16 collections of poetry, two novels, two verse novels and a reader’s guide to contemporary Australian poetry bring news of writing across the Tasman and talks about his own work with Greg O’Brien.
Venue: National Library Auditorium, Aitken St, Thorndon
Free admission
Auckland, Mollie: On the Track of the Ohakune Elephant 1957-2008
28 August, 2.30pm -
Michele Leggott, Martine Edmond, Mandy Harper, Mary Sewall conduct an afternoon of talks and readings about Mollie, the circus elephant whose death in 1957 drew the attention of zoologist and curator Barney McGregor at Auckland University College.
Venue: Old Biology Building (McGregor 1 Seminar Rm), University of Auckland
Free admission
For more information contact Mary Sewall, m.sewall@auckland.ac.nz or 373 7599 x 83758.
Auckland, Martin Edmond Book Launch
28 August, 5.30pm -
Jack Ross launches Martin Edmond's The Big O Revisited (Soapbox Press).
Venue: Main Foyer, Old Biology Building , University of Auckland
Free admission
Register attendance with Laurel Walker, i.walker@auckland.ac.nz
Wellington, Revolutions
28 August , 6.30pm -
Poetry readings by Niel Wright, Helen Rickerby, Evelyn Conlon and Will Leadbeater. Master of Ceremonies is Harvey Molloy.Plus launch of Rickerby's My Iron Spine (HeadworX).
Venue: Cinema City Gallery, Civic Square, Wellington
Cost: koha
Taranaki Children’s Book Festival
31 August – 3 September
The inaugural Taranaki Children’s Book Festival begins on Sunday 31 August with a public launch at Puke Ariki, New Plymouth. Eleven visiting authors, illustrators and storytellers are involved in the 2008 festival: Tanya Batt, Fleur Beale, Justin D’Ath, David Elliott, Vince Ford, Kiwa Hammond, David Hill, Des Hunt, Janet Hunt, Phyllis Johnston and Ruth Paul.
The launch is followed by two days of author visits to schools and libraries throughout Taranaki celebrating children’s literature in New Zealand and encouraging a life-long love of reading, as well as several professional development sessions for school and public librarians. The Taranaki Children’s Book Festival is an exciting initiative led by the three library districts in Taranaki: Puke Ariki/New Plymouth, South Taranaki and Stratford; and is supported by AWE, Education Taranaki, The Fred and Eunice Rodie Trust and Moller Johnson Motors.
Festival Launch: Sunday 31 August, 1.00pm-4.00pm
Venue: Discover it! @ Puke Ariki, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Phone 06 759 6060 for more information
Wellington, Jennifer Compton
1 September, 1.00-2.00pm
Mary McCallum talks to Jennifer Compton, the Randall Cottage resident for 2008. Compton is regularly based in Australia, where she has forged a career as an award-winning poet and playwright.
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Wellington, Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da
3 September , 6.30pm -
Poetry readings by Michael O'Leary, Gemma Claire, Marilyn Duckworth andBill Dacker. Master of ceremonies is Nelson Wattie. Plus launch of O'Leary's Paneta Street (HeadworX).
Venue: Cinema City Gallery, Civic Square, Wellington
Cost: koha
Saturday 13 September, 7.30pm, Titirangi
5th Going West Poetry Slam
Cash prizes of over $800 and various other goodies.
This is an open slam with limited numbers, Registrations start at 7pm
Slam rules and conditions are 3 minutes or less; must be original work; no props, no costumes, no music . . . Time starts from when you speak, and please be prepared to read/perform up to 3 pieces. Organisers reserve the right to pre-register some poets/performers(previous winners, etc). For more information contact MC Michael Rudd
bigblissboy@hotmail.com or see
http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/ArtCul/ae/goingwest/poetryslam.asp
Entry $5 (slammers and audience)
Titirangi Memorial Hall
NZ Book Month
3-30 September
A month long celebration of NZ books and NZ writers which aims to get more New Zealanders reading New Zealand books and to inspire book lovers all over the country. More details TBA or look on the website at: http://nzbookmonth.co.nz/
Christchurch, Imagining Antarctica Conference
4-7 September 2008
The conference is by registration only and will include writers, artists, fashion designers and commentators on their interpretations of Antarctica. Keynote speakers include: Francis Spufford, Vanessa Collingridge, Tom Griffiths and Bill Manhire.
There are two free, public, evening events that will be held at Our City O-Tautahi on Worcester Blvd, they are:
Friday 5 September, 6:30pm
Tom Griffiths presents "Seeing Antarctica from the other ice sheet".
Saturday 6 September, 6:00pm
Bill Manhire, Chris Orsman and Bernadette Hall will each give a public reading of some of their recent Antarctic work.
Venue of conference: University of Canterbury, Christchurch
For further information, costs etc, go to http://www.anta.canterbury.ac.nz/.
Christchurch, The Press Christchurch Writers' Festival 2008
5 September - 7 September, All day
Over twenty international and forty New Zealand writers will converge in September for The Press Christchurch Writers' Festival 2008. Three top writers Robert Fisk (Lebanon/UK), Xinran Xue (China /UK) and Kate Atkinson (UK) will head the diverse line-up in their only appearances in the South Island.
Please click here for more information and to download the schedule.
Wellington, Book Fair 2008
6 & 7 September, Doors open 9am Saturday and 10am Sunday
Tens of thousands of books at amazing prices. Come and bag yourself a bargain. Most books are $2. Novels, text books, travel, Art, NZ and cooking books, biography, children’s books and magazines. Also on sale are DVDs, CDs, and Vinyl records. Get in quick. Entry is free! TSB Bank Arena : Queens Wharf, Wellington CBD
The Book Fair is a significant fundraising event for Downtown Community Ministry and contributes important funds to our work with those in need in Wellington. Contact Downtown Community Ministry on (04) 384 7699 for details or http://www.dcm.org.nz/
Wellington, The Next Page (I)
8 September, 1.00-2.00pm
Ten writers from the IIML read from poetry, fiction and memoirs in progress: Lynn Jenner, Louise Wallace, Tina Makereti, Briar Grace-Smith, Sarah O'Flaherty, Francis Cooke, Heather Mackenzie, Samiha Radcliffe, Jennifer van Beynen and Catharina van Bohemen are introduced by Bill Manhire.
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Wellington, The Next Page (II)
15 September, 1.00-2.00pm
More writers from the IIML read from their writing in progress: Kathy McVey, Alison Glenny, Rachel O'Neill, Charis Boos, Maria Belich, Sylvie Haisman, Paul Dagarin, Rachael Cookson, Kelly Jospeh and Alex Keeble with read, introduced by Kate Duignan
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Wellington, Discovery: The Thrill of Science
18 September , 5.30pm -
An event to launch The Awa Book of New Zealand Science. Hear leading scientists and writers pay tribute to New Zealand scientists and their exciting discoveries.
Chair: Kim Hill Sponsor: Royal Society of New Zealand
Publisher: Awa Press
Paramount Theatre, Wellington
For more information please contact Hannah Bennett at Awa Press on (04) 385-0740 or email publicity@awapress.co.nz
Wellington, Short/Sharp/Script (I)
22 September, 1.00-2.00pm
One hour, five different dramas: actors perform rehearsed readings of work produced by MA (Script) students at the IIML. Chaired by Ken Duncum.
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Auckland, Womens' Littera-tea
28 September
Sunday 28 September 1pm - 5.15pm at St. Columba Centre
Tickets are selling fast for this fabulous line-up of NZ women authors, served up with divine afternoon tea - Fiona Kidman, Emily Perkins, Tessa Duder, Joanne Drayton with her biography of Ngaio Marsh, Helen Leach & Alexa Johnson with their NZ historical 'foodie' books - etc...
A New Zealand Book Month Event.
Venue: St Columba Centre, 92 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Cost: $45, including afternoon tea. Tickets can be purchased from The Women's Bookshop, 105 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland - phone, fax and online.
Wellington, Short/Sharp/Script (II)
29 September, 1.00-2.00pm
One hour, five different dramas: actors perform rehearsed readings of work produced by MA (Script) students at the IIML. Chaired by Ken Duncum.
Venue: National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth.
Free admission.
Wellington, Writing workshop with Elizabeth and Sarah Knox
Saturdays 20 & 27 September
Join sisters Elizabeth and Sarah for a two-day workshop exploring strategies for creating whole real-seeming in long fiction. This course aims to help encourage writers to think about what kind of world they want to create for their novel.
Venue: TBA
Please click here for further information. Another workshop will run in October.
