Neil will be appearing at a number events at the New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week at the New Zealand International Arts Festival in Wellington in March.
Those events, from the festival programme, are:
Gala Opening – March 9
New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week begins with the fine art of fiction. Join four of literature’s most fascinating voices as they talk about craft, character, style and genre. The glittering line-up brings together: novelist and Spooks scriptwriter Neil Cross – author of Burial and Natural History, celebrated Pakistani novelist Kamila Shamsie – author of Burnt Shadows and Broken Verses, novelist turned reporter Chloe Hooper – author of the award-winning The Tall Man and A Child’s Book of True Crime, and Gil Adamson – author of epic adventure The Outlander.
Once Upon a Deadline – March 8
Watch out for writing where you least expect it as Once Upon a Deadline, New Zealand’s only writing marathon, returns to the Festival. Follow six writers armed with laptops as they follow a mystery course through the city – Googling as they go. Each will travel separately to six locations, shadowed by an observer who ensures they follow the rules and the clock – the race takes place in a single day. Writers can appear anywhere: at a bus stop, train station, along the waterfront, or at the zoo. When the clock stops, each writer has an hour with an editor and then it’s off to the Town Hall, where 2008 champion David Geary will defend his title at the Read-Off. As an audience member, you will get to hear all six stories and help decide a winner.
Writers Up Front – March 14
Writers Upfront brings the world of words to Wellington. Join the very best writers and thinkers from New Zealand and abroad as they share their ideas, debate the contemporary issues and read from their work.
For more information as it becomes available, visit the festival website.
