Alice in New Zealand | Book Events

American writer Alice Sebold, whose book The Lovely Bones has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide, will be speaking at the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival in May.

Sebold (pictured) will take the floor on the opening night of the Festival, Thursday 19 May, alongside 2004 Man Booker prize-winner Allan Hollinghurst and fellow American writers Mark Kurlansky and Augusten Burroughs.

Leading New Zealand writers William Brandt, Diane Brown, Catherine Chidgey, Nigel Cox, Barbara Else, James George, Fiona Kidman and C K Stead have confirmed they will appear, as have ~~two~~ three [thanks Kelly] of this country’s most original young writers Kelly Ana Morey, Karlo Mila and Jo Randerson.

The Festival is shaping up to be the best yet with some of the hottest international writers around confirming their participation, including leading Canadian environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki, English novelist and playwright Gillian Slovo and award-winning biographer Deirdre Bair, who will deliver the festival’s inaugural “Michael King Memorial Lecture” on the subject of writing biography.

The Festival opens on Thursday 19 May and culminates in the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Dinner on Sunday 22 May.

21 Jan 05 | Filed by Chris | Add your comment (4 so far)

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Comment by Linda ~ January 23, 2005 9:10 AM

Did read it, hear it on the radio or dream it? A Peter Jackson/Fran Walsh rendering of The Lovely Bones would be a welcome departure from their epic efforts of late and an interesting bookend for the haunting (sorry) Heavenly Creatures.

Comment by kelly ana morey ~ January 23, 2005 10:11 PM

Thanks for the plug guys, but surely that's three original young writers.

Comment by Chris ~ January 24, 2005 10:29 AM

You're right, Linda - Jackson and Fran Walsh have optioned the film rights to Lovely Bones from the UK's Channel Four. The film is due to be released in 2007. Should be worth the wait!

Comment by Paul Gilberd ~ January 24, 2005 2:48 PM

I know this is a writers festival but we really ought to encourage Jo Randerson to perform one of her plays while we have her here in Auckland.