2014 AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL BREAKS ALL RECORDS!

Cor blimey! Like a steam train, #awf14 came and went - and wasn’t it a memorable experience?! With more writers, more books sold, more attendees and more sessions, the Auckland Writers Festival 2014 broke ALL RECORDS! There was a staggering 55 percent increase in festival attendance this year, with more than 53,000 seats filled during the five day event. We hope you had as much fun as we did. So many highlights – too many to name. So here are some comments from you, our audience: “It was AMAZING!!!” “Unbelieveably fantabulous. Every year I think it can't get better but it absolutely does!” “Not quite sure how you're going to top the amazing success of this year!” “I cannot wait till next year - when do the dates get announced, so I can block out as much time as possible to attend more events!” “AMAZING festival, cannot wait for next year!” We are thrilled that you enjoyed it so much and delighted, of course, that writers from here and around the world got to talk about books and ideas with such a terrific audience. Festival Director Anne O’Brien says she is overwhelmed by the response to this year’s programme. “Audiences flocked to the Aotea Centre and left abuzz with what they’d seen and heard.  More people came and more people attended multiple festival events. "Gone are the days when people popped down to one session. They’re clearing the calendar and spending the day or the weekend!  It was a true feast in every sense with fabulous writers and readers to the fore,” she says. It was huge, it was great and then it was over… until next year! The 2015 Auckland Writers Festival runs 13-17 May. Mark it in your schedule now! THANK YOUS   The festival would not have been such a success without its outstanding and talented writers, many of whom travelled from the Northern Hemisphere to be with us. A HUGE thank you to them all for sharing their wisdom, wit and words with us. The festival wouldn’t happen at all without the support of our sponsors, funders and grant makers. THANK YOU to The University of Auckland, the New Zealand Listener, the ASB Community Trust, Creative NZ, the Lion Foundation and Auckland Council and all our silver, bronze and supporting partners. THANK YOU sincerely to our fabulous and generous Festival Patrons and Friends. You are the backbone of our festival. We acknowledge your support and warmly appreciate it. Auckland Writers Festival Chair, Dr Sarah Sandley rounds off the thank yous by offering her heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers on behalf of the Festival’s dedicated board. “I applaud Anne O’Brien and her team for their unflinching hard work, and dedication,”she says.