BOOK THE UNIVERSE: Auckland Writers Festival

AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL

14 - 19 May 2019

LITERARY NEW YEAR HONOURS

Congratulations to our long-standing Festival bookseller and former trustee Carole Beu who received a MNZM in the New Years Honours for services to the literary industry. It was wonderful to see the list recognise so many literary champions in particular Mātātuhi Foundation trustee, novelist and short story writer Paula Morris MNZM for services to literature and Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh ONZM for services to poetry, literature and the Pacific community. Other literary recipients included Karlo Mila MNZM for services to the Pacific community and as a poet, Rosemary Wildblood MNZM for services to literature, Edmund Bohan MNZM for services to music, historical research and literature, and George Bryant QSM for services to publishing and the community.

OCKHAMS LONGLIST ANNOUNCED

Many of New Zealand’s literary heavyweights feature in the 40-strong Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlist announced today. The latest works of Maurice Gee, Fiona Kidman, Lloyd Jones and Vincent O’Sullivan are among the rich and varied range nominated for the country’s premier book awards, now in their 51^st year. They sit alongside debutants and rising stars whose books traverse sweeping contemporary, cultural, historic, artistic and social landscapes. Ten books are longlisted in each of the four awards categories – fiction, general non-fiction, illustrated non-fiction and poetry. The shortlist will be announced on 6 March and winners awarded on 14 May at the Auckland Writers Festival. More information on the longlisted titles.

Plans are gathering speed for another great Festival and 2019 Friend registrations are now open. Membership is capped at 250 people each year. An annual Friend membership is $100 per person for which you will receive the following great benefits:

an invitation to the Programme Launch (13 March)
a one-day priority booking period before public sales open
a dedicated Ticketmaster phone booking number (no fees)
reserved seating at all ticketed events
discounts on tickets for out-of-season events
other special offers year-round

To sign up as a Friend or a Patron please visit our website, or contact the Festival Office.

OFFERS FROM OUR FRIENDS

WIN TICKETS TO COLETTE

After marrying a successful Parisian writer known as “Willy” (Dominic West), Colette (Keira Knightley) is transplanted from her rural childhood home to the intellectual and artistic splendour of Paris. Willy convinces Colette to ghost-write for him, and her semi-autobiographical novel becomes a bestseller and cultural sensation. Colette's fight for creative ownership defies gender roles, overcomes societal constraints and revolutionises literature and fashion.
To go in the draw to win one of five double passes, please email by 7 February.

WIN TICKETS TO
GREEN BOOK

Starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, Green Book is the uplifting true story of a friendship that defied the odds. Set in 1962, the film follows Italian-American Tony Lip, who is hired to chauffeur African-American pianist Dr. Don Shirley on a concert tour through the Deep South. Despite their differences, the two men soon develop an unexpected bond while confronting racism and danger in an era of segregation.
To go in the draw to win one of five double passes, please email by 7 February.

Our volunteers are an essential part of each Festival’s success. While there are no particular skills or work experience required for you to become a volunteer, a love of literature and books is a good start. If you see yourself as being enthusiastic, generous, reliable, friendly, motivated, tactful and are available for 3 or more shifts (of 4-5 hours) then it’s a great way to get involved. This year's dates are Tuesday 14 - Sunday 19 May, if you would like to be considered as a volunteer, please email us and register your interest.

RELIVE THE FESTIVAL VIA PODCAST & VIDEO

A wide selection of podcasts and videos have been uploaded to our Look, Listen & Learn page, so you can enjoy the magic at home. Revisit your favourite writer's sessions like In The Bardo: George Saunders from 2017, or catch up on the events you missed. Podcasts are also available on soundcloud and itunes so you can download and listen on the go.