ANZ Festival of Literature and Arts

A four-day festival celebrating the best of literature, theatre, film and music from and about Australia and New Zealand will be staged in London for the first time in May 2014. 

The festival aims to showcase the countries' roll call of writers and creative talent, and to present the best stories from and about Australia and New Zealand.  

As part of the festival build-up, a programme of events has been planned to celebrate the cultural influence of both countries. The first of these, a Literary BBQ, will be hosted on the 29th of August at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.  

I am one of the fortunate writers (along with Craig Silvey, Courtney Collins and Eleanor Catton) who will be attending this event of great food, live literature, music and short film. If you're based in London, please do come along to say hello.

WHEN:  Thursday 29 August 2013, 7.30pm - 10.30pm. Doors open at 6pm.

WHERE:  Hammersmith Lyric Theatre, London, on the Roof Garden.

HOW MUCH:  Standard tickets at £15. £30 including BBQ, dessert and white wine on arrival.

Book sales will be made facilitated by Foyles. Tickets are on sale here

 

 

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Edinburgh International Book Festival

I am thrilled to announce that I will be appearing at the 2013 Edinburgh International Book Festival during its 10th-26th August run. With over 800 events, and over 700 authors in attendance, it promises to be a truly exceptional event.

Details of the sessions I will be part of are below:

TEN AT TEN

Hannah Kent  

Saturday 24 August, 10am, The Writers' Retreat, FREE 

Ten at Ten is a short daily reading at 10am, lasting 10 minutes, where we invite an author to read a short story, an extract or some poetry to give the public a short but perfectly formed taster to inspire them for the rest of their day at the Festival. It takes place in the Writers’ Retreat, underneath the trees and hopefully bathed in summer sunshine.

FEARSOMELY TALENTED WRITERS FROM DOWN UNDER

Eleanor Catton and Hannah Kent

Saturday 24 August, 7:00pm - 8:00pm, Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre, £7.00, £5.00

We are thrilled to welcome Eleanor Catton from New Zealand to launch her second novel. Few books are more keenly anticipated in the literary world this year than The Luminaries, a gripping mystery set during the 1866 gold rush. Also joining us from the other side of the world is Hannah Kent, the Adelaide-based author whose beautifully crafted, haunting debut novel, Burial Rites, is set in 19th century Iceland.

 

 

Recent Events

Since Burial Rites was released in Australia at the beginning of May this year, I have had the pleasure of meeting many dedicated, passionate booksellers as well as the wonderful people who frequent their stores. 

Below are some photos from recent author events around Australia, including some snaps from the marvellous 2013 Sydney Writers' Festival.

My sincere thanks to everyone who facilitated and came along to these talks, Q&A sessions, and events. Writers would be pitiful creatures indeed without their booksellers and readers, and I can't tell you how grateful I am for your support, questions, and interest. 

Thank you for embracing Burial Rites.

 

Sydney Writers' Festival.

Sydney Writers' Festival.

Sydney Writer's Festival.

Sydney Writer's Festival.

Signing at Sydney Writers' Festival. 

Signing at Sydney Writers' Festival. 

Sydney Writers' Festival.

Sydney Writers' Festival.

Sydney Writers' Festival with Sheila Heti and Michael Robotham.

Sydney Writers' Festival with Sheila Heti and Michael Robotham.

Sydney Writers' Festival.

Sydney Writers' Festival.

Matilda Bookshop at Stirling Library.

Matilda Bookshop at Stirling Library.

Matilda Bookshop at Stirling Library.

Matilda Bookshop at Stirling Library.

Beaumaris Books.

Beaumaris Books.

Beaumaris Books.

Beaumaris Books.

Beaumaris Books.

Beaumaris Books.

Beaumaris Books.

Beaumaris Books.

Unley Library.

Unley Library.

Icelandic deserts at Eltham Bookshop (cardamom icecream)!

Icelandic deserts at Eltham Bookshop (cardamom icecream)!