Preparations are underway for the Wanganui Literary Festival, a vibrant writers and readers festival with a lifestyle theme, now in its third edition and directed by Joan Rosier-Jones. There is something for everyone in the programme.
Visit the Bookings page for a list of all the event prices and special offers or check out the Two New One-Act Plays being put on by Wanganui Repertory.
The program for this year's event is now set and you can download the program brochure frontside and backside or you can find a list of
Congratulations
to our winners of tickets to 'Eat My Words' lunch with Kevin Ireland and Glenn Colquhoun reading their poetry. They are Viv & Jim McGregor, A & P Judd of Auckland and Kath Blair of Wellington.these on the Events page. As well as the usual literary fare, this year the festival will include: Ray McVinnie talking about his cookery books, Hamish McDouall on sports writing and graphic artist, Dylan Horrocks discussing his graphic novels.
There will be a fun-filled morning at the riverside markets on Saturday 19th at which the kids will be entertained with readings by local children’s writers. If you are a book lover this is the event for you. Tickets will range from $10 - $15 per session so this will be an opportunity to hear some of New Zealand’s foremost writers at reasonable cost.
Fringe FestivalThere will also be literary events in the weekend prior to the main festival, as part of the festival fringe on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th. These include a seminar on reviewing and one on self-publishing, which not only looks at printing your book, but also publishing it into the marketplace. And on Sunday there will be a Baxter Day which will feature activities around James K Baxter and his work. Check out programme details on the fringe festival page.
2009 Author Profiles
Go to the Events page to read the profiles of featured authors at this year's festival.
Poetry Luncheon
Go to the News page to read about the Poetry Luncheon with Glenn Colquhoun and Kevin Ireland being hosted by Poppies Bookshop.
Fiona Kidman
Read the lastest news - Our Dame Becomes a Knight
Already readers are anticipating Fiona Kidman’s visit to talk at the Wanganui Literary Festival 18-20 September. Her books are widely read, and warmly acclaimed. She has written many novels and short stories, as well as non-fiction works. Last year the first part of her memoir, At the End of Darwin Road, was published by Random House. Part Two, Beside the Dark Pool, will be published this year and patrons of the festival will hear her talk about what it has been like to examine and record her life.
Writers in Schools
On Friday the 18th of September the Wanganui Literary Festival is running a programme of writers in the schools with Kate De Goldi visiting primary schools and Dylan Horrocks visiting secondary schools. Contact us if your school is not booked and you would like to take part in the Writers in Schools programme.
Kate De Goldi’s latest book is The 10PM Question which has been shortlisted for this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. She will be coming to the Wanganui Literary Festival to talk to primary school children about her work and life as a writer. She is an engaging speaker who is guaranteed to delight the young people of Wanganui. If there is room interested adults will also be able to attend!
Dylan Horrocks' work has appeared in exhibitions in New Zealand, Europe and Canada and he has taught classes on graphic novels, comics, writing and art at the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Unitec and Massey University. His later works include two new graphic novels as well as a number of shorter comics that explore the politics of superhero comics and the meaning of America since 9/11. During the festival he will talk to groups of students from secondary schools and the Graphic Arts department at UCOL, as well as the general public.
BONUS
The Literary Festival is being run in conjunction with the Wanganui Festival of Glass. Check out their great programme on http://www.wanganuiglass.co.nz/
For a PDF of the Literary Festival Brochure click on front or back. On this site you can also check out the Fringe Festival programme, check out the Two One-Act Plays , read the profiles of featured authors at 2009 Wanganui Literary Festival, or go to the News page to read about the Poetry Luncheon with Glenn Colquhoun and Kevin Ireland being hosted by Poppies Bookshop, and find background on the festival director, Joan Rosier-Jones or check out the Writers in Schools programme. Find a listing of all the events and prices and you can also find the programme from the 2007 Literary Festival.
GREAT VALUE
The Wanganui Literary Festival costs about $23,000 to run. We have been fortune to receive funding and sponsorship from a number of sources. Creative New Zealand is our major sponsor.
The Wanganui Literary Festival is mounted with the support of
and
and
and
Whanganui Community Foundation, Powerco Wanganui Trust, William McAlpine Duncan Trust, Albert Sword,
Hanton & Anderson, Artmedia, UCOL, Community Education Service and the Wanganui Chronicle
Thanks to this generosity we have been able to keep our costs to a minimum. A season ticket costs only $50. See the Brochure front and back for other costs. Book early!
This page was last updated 01/09/2009
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