Multi-award-winning author and national treasure Catherine Chidgey will launch her newest novel The Axeman’s Carnival at this year’s Queenstown Writers Festival.
Catherine delighted audiences last year when she appeared via Zoom due to Covid-19 restrictions.
She confided that her new novel would be set deep in Central Otago and we immediately invited her back for the launch. We are thrilled she has taken up the opportunity, allowing ticket holders to share informal drinks and nibbles with Catherine to celebrate this special occasion.
Queenstown Writers Festival chairperson Tanya Surrey says the committee is delighted to bring some of New Zealand’s most loved and esteemed writers to Queenstown for our fourth festival.
“We are incredibly proud of the 2022 programme, our biggest yet with 15 events over three days. “With the eclectic range of speakers, workshops and events, we are optimistic that there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Catherine’s appearance will be just one highlight as we share some of the best of New Zealand’s writing talent at the new arts and culture space at Remarkables Park, Te Atamira.
We are especially excited that one of our own, festival trustee Bethany Rogers, is taking the leap into the world of publishing and will launch her short-story collection Kaleidoscopes in the Dark. She describes the collection of eleven gothic stories as “what you might expect if Angela Carter had penned some Black Mirror episodes.”
Also appearing will be popular sustainability advocate Ethically Kate with her new book Better, Bolder, Different, which is full of sustainable living skills and thought-provoking conversations. We are anticipating a fun and informative interview conducted by Alexa Forbes, an Otago Regional Councillor and one of our best known local sustainability champions.
In a treat for writers looking to get published, Upstart Press publisher Kevin Chapman will share his top tips and secrets to hunting out a good story.
We are also delighted to host another festival favourite, Paddy Richardson, who will talk about her new book By the Green of the Spring. Set during WWI between Blackball on the West Coast and Somes Island in Wellington Harbour, it traverses the brutal realities of life as an enemy alien and the enduring effects of war. Dame Fiona Kidman described it as “a masterpiece of storytelling”.
The weekend will wind up with feast of poetry fun with a presentation of the celebrated Rail:Lines: The Film, about the e-bike powered Central Otago “poetry tour like no other” by Liz Breslin, Annabel Wilson and Laura Williamson – emissions free, muddy, rowdy and otherworldy.
Christchurch-based poet Claudia Jardine and friends will conclude events on a high note with a special Sunday evening poetry jam.
The writers will be joined over the weekend by Ockham New Zealand Book Awards winners Whiti Hereaka and Rebecca K Reilly, broadcaster Noelle McCarthy interviewed by Invercargill mayoral-hopeful Marcus Lush, Kate De Goldi, Christine Leunens and investigative journalist Stephen Davis.
For all the details, go to our Programme page. Tickets are available via eventfinda.co.nz, with earlybird sales ($5 off each ticket purchased) until September 30.
