The programme – announced at a cocktail function to sponsors, supporters, writers and publishers this evening – is rich and multi-layered, offering 150 writers and more than 120 events over five days in and around Auckland’s Aotea Centre.
Alice Walker will appear in one event only – The Color Purple on Sunday 18 May, 10-11am in the ASB Theatre – named after her globally best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.
Festival director, Anne O’Brien says the heady mix of interviews, debates, conversations, poetry, readings, children’s events, workshops, concerts, lunches and soap box stir-ups provides something for everyone.
“This is a festival of plenty. We’ve introduced a Family Day this year as well as events that broaden our reach into books, art, music and theatre. There’s a host of free events, a wide variety of issues up for discussion and a long list of high-profile international and local writer guests making up the programme.
“As well as coming along to see your favourite authors, I encourage you to buy tickets to events that intrigue you, that may take you outside your comfort zone, that will open doors to places and people you may never have heard of before,” she says.
Tickets to the festival – which is now in its 14th year – go on public sale from 9.00am, Thursday 20 March: online at www.ticketmaster.co.nz, by phone on 0800 111 999, by post to Auckland Writers Festival Bookings, Ticketmaster NZ, PO Box 106 443, Auckland 1143, or in person at the Aotea Centre box office or any authorised Ticketmaster seller.