AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL

AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL

15 - 20 May 2018

FESTIVAL FAVOURITES AND NEW DISCOVERIES

Festival month has kicked off, and in a little less than two weeks the doors open to #awf18! Looking for inspiration and new discoveries? Here are some great ideas based on past Festival favourites.

LITERARY LEGENDS

WHO: #awf15 Haruki Murakami and
#awf18 Karl Ove Knausgaard.
WHY: Like Murakami, you'll be in the presence of greatness; Karl is a globally renowned trailblazer at the height of his powers; a humble human and truly innovative writer.
WHEN: An Evening with Karl Ove Knausgaard

ACTING ROYALTY

WHO: #awf15 Alan Cumming and #awf18 Robert Webb
WHY: If you loved Alan Cumming then get to Robert Webb and have a good night out! Hilarious, multi-award winning actor; depth of character reflected in moving personal memoir.
WHEN: An Evening with Robert Webb

PACIFIC PERSPECTIVES

WHO: #awf17 Stan Grant and
#awf18 Damon Salesa
WHY: Damon Salesa, like Stan Grant in 2017, offers thought-provoking discussion on our unique cultures and the future of our pacific nations.
WHEN: Ready or Not: Damon Salesa - The Michael King Memorial Lecture

FOREIGN REPORTS

WHO: #awf16 Emma Sky and
#awf18 Francis Wade
WHY: Iraq. Myanmar. we watch the news reports, but these experts have been there, reported on location, written books about the unfolding disasters and know the real deal. If you found Emma Sky illuminating in 2016 then you will be blown away by Francis Wade.
WHEN: Myanmar Tragedy: Francis Wade

MOVING MEMOIRISTS

WHO: #awf15 Daniel Mendelsohn and
#awf18 Diana Wichtel
WHY: Both Mendelsohn and Wichtel are terrific writers of the Jewish diaspora; moving personal stories that reach deeply and teach us so much. We can't wait for Diana's event on her extraordinary story soon.
WHEN: Driving to Treblinka: Diana Wichtel

TRIALS TO TRIUMPH

WHO: #awf14 Alice Walker and
#awf18 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
WHY: Like Walker, Thiong'o is a freedom fighter who has overcome huge prejudice to succeed magnificently. Peaceful and wise; utterly inspirational.
WHEN: Wrestling with the Devil: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

NEXT GENERATION POETS

WHO: #awf17 Rupi Kaur and #awf18 Lang Leav
WHY: If you were in awe of Rupi Kaur in 2017, you will love Lang Leav, a powerful poet and writer who engages a whole new generation of poetry lovers.
WHEN: Sad Girls: Lang Leav

BIG THINKING JOURNALISTS

WHO: #awf17 Thomas Friedman and #awf18 Amy Goldstein
WHY: Amy Goldstein is a meticulous researcher, formidable and brainy with huge experience on the social and political landscape of the US; Like Friedman in 2017, she's the person you will all be talking about post-Festival.
WHEN: Janesville: Amy Goldstein

PUBLIC INTELLECTUALS

WHO: #awf17 A. N.Wilson and
#awf18 A.C. Grayling
WHY: Mighty minds; many lauded books; deep thinkers; pointed perspectives on big issues; join a stimulating session with A.C. Grayling this year and pick up where you left off with A. N. Wilson.
WHEN: Democracy: A.C. Grayling

NOVELISTS' NOVELISTS

WHO: #awf17 Anne Enright and #awf18 Lloyd Jones
WHY: Exquisite writing; beautifully crafted passages that instill awe; novels that take your mind and soul to new places. Lloyd Jones is our very own Anne Enright. See him soon!
WHEN: European Concerns

ROCKSTAR FEMINISTS

WHO: #awf17 Roxane Gay and #awf18 Eileen Myles
WHY: Roxane Gay rocked our worlds last year. Now we have Eileen Myles who is also a writer challenging the status quo; fearless and fun; a feminist at the cutting edge of change.
WHEN: Afterglow: Eileen Myles