FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
THURSDAY 9 NOV
Join editors Damien Levi and Amber Esau in celebration as they launch Spoiled Fruit.
Witi Ihimaera returns to Wellington for his final event of the year.
Celebrate the launch of Katharine J. Adams’s dark and decadent debut Tonight, I Burn.
FRIDAY 10 NOV
Four of Wellington’s sharpest comedians and poets celebrate our literary legend.
Enjoy some hilariously terrible, entertainingly cringe-worthy poetry.
Tusiata Avia returns to Verb with her latest, brilliant collection of poetry, Big Fat Brown Bitch.
Whitireia Publishing graduates share the juicy details about creating a book.
Real poets, real brownies and real butter!
Some of the Māori writing realm’s boldest thought leaders discuss story sovereignty.
Tessa Duder and Josie Shapiro join host Maggie Tweedie to discuss writing women in sport.
Four Māori authors kōrero about their passion for enriching the imaginations of our tamariki.
Anahera Gildea joins Patricia Grace in an intimate conversation about the craft of writing.
Come and share a day of kai, kapu tī and kōrero.
Helene Ritchie speaks about her book, The Burned Letter.
SATURDAY 11 NOV
Emma Espiner and Anahera Gildea explores what it means to be "the first" and how that really means "the only".
Henrietta Bollinger speaks with Melody Thomas about their debut essay collection.
Enjoy an afternoon of literary darkness.
Join an intimate selection of indigenous, takatāpui writers in this luxurious kōrero about the ways takatāpuitanga informs and enriches their work.
Prepare to lift off and be whisked into a universe where all people don't merely survive, but flourish.
Grace Yee and Emma Ling Sidnam explore the impact of the past on the present.
The future is ours for the taking, but what shape will it take?
Join acclaimed writer Behrouz Boochani for a conversation about the books he urges us all to read.
Join two researchers as they delve into the rich histories and archives of Māori writing.
Futurists, archivists and the timelessness of love – nau mai, haere mai to this afternoon of free events at BATS.
Two of the world’s foremost Indigenous publishers - a milestone event not to be missed.
30 events. One night. Over 100 artists.
Wellington’s Original Crawl since 2014.
SUNDAY 12 NOV
Chris Tse invites a line-up of notable poetry fans to share the poems that have left a lasting impression on their own lives.
How has forced work shaped our country? Jared Davidson talks his groundbreaking book Blood & Dirt.
Shaneel Lal speaks about their life, their work, and their hopes for the future.
‘If you could change the publishing industry, what would you do?’
Rose Lu joins Sam Low to chat about his culinary journey as he prepares one of his favourite dishes.
WORKSHOPS
In this workshop, we'll talk about how to uncover your own process as you move from first draft to the final iteration.
Bring your rage, your observations, and your pens!
Enjoy a very special workshop with one of Aotearoa's most productive and successful writers.
Join iconic Aotearoa writer, Tessa Duder (author of Alex Quartet, and The Sparrow), for a workshop on writing historical fiction.