Writers festival a big draw
Award-winning writers, big personalities and a slew of talented southerners are all in the mix for next month's Queenstown Writers Festival.
The festival, which has cemented its position as a fixture of the Aotearoa literary circuit, announced its programme at Te Atamira, on Sunday, 31 August, after artist Dick Frizzell chatted about his new memoir with Sir Grahame Sydney.
Damien Wilkins, who won New Zealand's top literary prize this year - the Jann Medlicott Acorn prize for fiction - for his acclaimed story of families and ageing, Delirious, is one of the stand out writers coming to the 2025 festival.
Literary legend Owen Marshall is also signed up to talk about his writing career, while Steve Braunias will discuss his much-anticipated Polkinghorne, and Dr Monty Soutar will tell attendees about his acclaimed Kawaii trilogy.
Duncan Sarkies with his novel on democracy and alpacas, and Josie Shapiro with her new novel following up on the runaway success of Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts, are also on the programme.
Interviews with memoir writers including former deputy prime minister Grant Robertson, former Listener television reviewer Diana Wichtel, journalist Mike McRoberts and master of reinvention, Brodie Kane, are expected to draw in the crowds.
And some of Central Otago poet Brian Turner’s closest friends and family will present The Life of Brian, celebrating the life and works of one of most beloved poets and environmentalists.
Festival chair Tanya Surrey says that the 2025 festival - held between 30 October and 3 November - has something for people of all ages.
“Our last festival was the biggest in the festival’s history and showed that there is a thirst for the storytelling showcased in our festival events. People love hearing and reading great tales.
“Queenstown has been named New Zealand’s second most creative city (after Wellington) three years in a row and events like ours are growing and enhancing the local arts scene.”
Many other writers are lined up for the festival, which also includes workshops, a short-story competition, and schools programme.
Tickets are available from www.qtwritersfestival.nz, where there's also the full programme, with early bird discounts available until midnight on 30 September.
