Details are now firmed up for WitSunday, the one-day lit extravaganza presented by the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival.

Nine top international writers will be in one place, on one day – at the ASB Theatre in the Aotea Centre on Sunday 21 May 2006. The line-up includes Christopher Kremmer, John Banville, Hari Kunzru, Sherman Alexie, Victoria Finlay, Uzodinma Iweala, Tim Harford, Alain de Botton and Edmund White.

The programme is now available (download the 316 KB PDF file here) and tickets go on sale tomorrow (Monday 10 April).

“It's been a juggling act, with one writer pulling out on the day the programme was due to go to print,” said the Festival’s director, Jill Rawnsley, “but we were lucky enough to secure at the tenth hour Christopher Kremmer, author of the critically acclaimed The Carpet Wars. And John Campbell has gallantly offered to chair the event, the first of the day.”

“For the first time ever we’re able to offer a one-day pass to all nine events for $110 – fantastic value for anyone who wants to completely immerse themselves.”

“And then Audrey Niffenegger, artist and author of the hit novel The Time Traveler’s Wife, is in town for an evening event on Monday 29 May. There’s been a lot of positive feedback about her visit already, and we’re expecting a good turnout. I’d recommend people book early.”

You can get the programme from libraries and all good bookshops, Ticketek outlets and the Aotea Centre - or check online at www.writersfestival.co.nz.