On Thursday night, Unity Books was packed to the gills for the launch of the 2016 New Zealand Festival Writer’s Week programme. Despite a long & symbiotic relationship with Writer’s Week, this is the first time Unity has had the privilege of hosting the programme launch, and it was fabulous to be at the centre of the action, and to see so many new & familiar faces in attendance.
The evening began with a speech by Damien Wilkins, who was here representing Victoria University Wellington, and whose new novel Dad Art is being launched as part of Writer’s Week. Damien spoke about his first time speaking at writer’s week as an emerging author, and the importance of a festival that is committed to supporting writers at every stage of their career.
Shelagh Magadza, the artistic director of the New Zealand festival followed, and thanked the many sponsors and the large team of volunteers and behind-the-scenes masterminds who make this festival possible.
Kathryn Carmody, ex-Unity shop girl and now Writer’s Week programme manager gave us a highlights reel of the programme, which included running tours with Christopher McDougall, the madcap comedic genius of Mallory Ortberg and Literary Idol, a unique chance for punters to have the first pages of their novels anonymously critiqued by a fabulous panel of both international & national writers.
packed house
Damien Wilkins opening things up
Shelagh Magadza
So full of people!
Kathryn Carmody wraps by explaining some of the forthcoming excitements
Photos Matt Bialostocki
