Time for a quick round up of upcoming events – and they’re all in my lovely community, Titirangi, in West Auckland. We’ve got the Montana Poetry Day offering, plus a raft of launches, and last but far from least, advance notice of this year's Going West Festival.

Next week, for the Montana Poetry Festival, Lopdell House in Titirangi is hosting a Wild Winter Night of hot mulled wine, hot jazz and of course, poetry with Neshamah, Karlo Mila, Ila Selwyn, Jenny Clay, Caroline Bensinger, Judith McNeil and Robert Hoare. That’s at 7pm, Friday 27 July, Lopdell House Gallery. There’s a paltry $5 entry fee, but you should probably book early to avoid disappointment as they say – phone 817 8087. (For lots more Montana Poetry day events, check out the full listing here - oh, and don't forget the Writers on Monday warm up event in Wellington this Monday 23rd – ten of the city's best poets reading from Best NZ Poems 2006 – 1pm at City Gallery, and it's free, of course).

Next up: Lopdell House in Titirangi hosts the launch of two extraordinary books and manages to wedge in exhibitions of their work, plus a bit on the side in the form of (deep breath) Sarah Maxey, our goddess of the book cover – all on August 16.
To the Harbour is based on his childhood recollections of the Manukau Harbour it’s part children’s book and part memoir apparently. Local photographer Chris Hoult spent 12 years as photographer on the Western Leader newspaper. Ask him anything about West Auckland – he’s probably photographed it. His book Out West (Reed) will also be launched with an exhibition of photographs. And finally, Sarah Maxey will also be represented at the gallery – she’s pretty much the best book designer around, as we've gushed repeatedly in the past. She just gets it, big time, as her ridiculously large array of awards will testify. All the fun kicks off at 6pm – I’m so there.

And finally, with much anticipatory lip-smacking, the Going West Festival 2007 is now online, with final programme details available very soon. The famous Writers Weekend will be happening on September 14-16. Here’s a little taste of what looks to be a superb lineup, as usual – I’ll just give you the Saturday events for now (by the way – this is subject to possible change, but Murray Gray assures me it’s nearly there).

On the Saturday morning there’s a new novelists session with Glenn Bowden, Eleanor Gill and Vanda Symon, followed by ornithologist extraordinaire Geoff Moon, interviewed by none other than comparatively recent bird fancier Steve Braunias (his latest book How to watch a bird from AWA Press is a must-buy). Word has it that Steve is utterly in awe of nonegenarian Geoff so this should be a memorable session.

Then there’s a real doozy for library buffs: Iain Sharp, whose book Real Gold (AUP) celebrates the incredible Special Collections of Auckland City Central Library, is in conversation with other ‘extreme’ librarians, who manage similar treasures around the country – Philip Rainor from Wellington’s Turnbull Library, and Donald Kerr from Dunedin’s Hocken Libarary. Sam Elworthy, new director of AUP will chair this fascinating event. That’s all before lunch!

After you’ve savoured your lunch amongst the kauri or at one of the many delectable cafes in the groovy village (I’m being paid for this by the Titirangi Business Association) there’s Owen Marshall with his new book, talking to Graham Beattie; Andrew Fagan being wild and endearing; the festival’s distinguished guest Ursula Rani Sarma from Galway (Waitakere’s sister city in Ireland), a playwright of international reputation, talking to Miranda Harcourt; a pot luck session with the latest winners of the Montanas – who will they be? – and finally the Auckland University’s eminent art and literary critic Peter Simpson will launch his new book McCahon: The Titirangi Years, with – blimey – Greg O’Brien and Martin Edmond.

Get the picture? Think you’d better book your tickets and accommodation? Let your fingers do the walking and get to it. You don’t want to be dossing at the New Lynn train station, seriously.