The 2014 Word Christchurch Writers & Readers festival is over but that doesn’t mean the quality literary events will stop coming.

JULIA GILLARD: IN CONVERSATION WORD Christchurch, in association with The Press and Penguin Random House, presents Julia Gillard in conversation with Joanna Norris.  Julia Gillard served as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, and the Australian Labor Party leader from 2010 to 2013. She was the first woman to hold either position. My Story details her rise in the Labor Party, what propelled her and what sustained her during that time. It discusses the leadership issues, the political campaigns, and all the domestic and foreign policy issues that Julia Gillard faced as Prime Minister. My Story is a frank and candid memoir about being a woman at the highest levels of Australian political and public life. Read more Thursday 20 November, 6.30pm Charles Luney Auditorium St Margaret’s College Tickets $20 (booking & service fees apply) Dashtickets.co.nz   My Story will be on sale and Julia Gillard will be available for signing after the event. CHECK OUT THESE OTHER EVENTS  IN CHRISTCHURCH AND SURROUNDS ASPIRING CONVERSATIONS We are looking forward to the weekend of October 10-12, when Aspiring Conversations takes place in Wanaka — stimulating events in a beautiful setting. A great line-up, including Karl Stead & Charlotte Grimshaw, Kirsty Gunn, Fiona Kidman, Vincent O’Sullivan, Max Rashbrooke and many more. Check out the programme here.

THEATRE: GEOGRAPHY OF LOSS Geography of Loss is a new play, written by local poet and playwright Karen Zelas and produced by Lightning Productions. It is the story of one family, and shows the lasting effects of loss, but also resilience, hope, perseverance and homecoming. 15-25 October Elmwood Auditorium, Aikmans Road, Merivale Bookings now open at www.bookingsgeographyofloss.com THE HOT SPOT POETRY TOUR Paula Green’s wonderful poetry website for children, Poetry Box , is taking to the road in the Hot Spot Poetry Tour. The Christchurch ‘feast of poems’ features fabulous local talent Fiona Farrell, Gavin Bishop, Doc Drumheller, Elaine Jakobssen, James Norcliffe, Greg O’Connell and Bill Nagelkerke, along with Paula Green and children from a number of schools. The tour also coincides with the release of a wonderful new book, A Treasury of NZ Poems for Children, edited by Paula and illustrated by Christchurch local Jenny Cooper. It promises to be a magical evening for kids and their families. : Tuesday, 21 October, 6-8pm, Russley School Hall, 75 Cutts Rd, Russley. NZSA FREE WORKSHOPS The Christchurch Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors is offering a weekend of free, quality writers’ workshops, with some talented and experienced writers as teachers. These are a great way to hone your craft and to meet other writers in a stimulating and social environment. This year the workshops will be taken by Carl Nixon, Te Awhina Arahanga, Owen Marshall, Maxine Alterio, Natalie Anderson, Joanna Preston,  James George, Jennifer Haworth, Felicity Price, with topics ranging from historical fiction to romance, from poetry to self-publishing, and much more.  31 October & 1 November South Library, 66 Columbo St, Beckenham. Full information on the website LOOK OUT FOR MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS NEXT MONTH!