Spotlight On Mohammed Hanif
Mohammed Hanif was born in Okara, Pakistan. After leaving the Pakistan Air Force Academy to pursue a career in
journalism, he worked for Newsline and The Washington Post, and in 1996 moved to London to work for the BBC. He has
written plays for the stage and screen, including a critically acclaimed BBC drama and the feature film The Long Night.
Hanif is a graduate of University of East Anglia’s creative writing programme.
His first book A Case of Exploding Mangoes was published in 2008. It was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize,
shortlisted for The Guardian First Book Award, and won the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize. After 12 years in England, in
2008 he returned with his wife and 10 year old son to live in Karachi, Pakistan, where he is currently the BBC’s special
correspondent.
See Mohammed Hanif in:
Commonwealth Writers: Readings
16 May | 10:00 - 11:00am
Air New Zealand Foyer
Level 5 – Aotea Centre
2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Awards
16 May | 7:30 pm
ASB Theatre – Aotea Centre
An Hour with Mohammed Hanif
17 May | 1:00 - 2:00pm
ASB Theatre – Aotea Centre
The Next 100 Years
17 May | 4:00 - 5:30pm
ASB Theatre – Aotea Centre
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SONGWRITING WITH DON MCGLASHAN AND JASON KERRISON
In this digital age, music is instantly available, only a click away. We forget that songs rarely appear as ready-made
gems – they’re rough-cast, demanding time, attention and polish. Don McGlashan (From Scratch, The Front Lawn, Blam Blam
Blam and The Seven Sisters) and Jason Kerrison (Opshop) discuss the long road of inspiration, discipline, craft,
tinkering and discovery with Mike Chunn. Presented in association with APRA.
Find out more about the event here ...
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ASK RICHARD DAWKIN
There will be an opportunity to put your questions to Mr Dawkins at the end of Richard Dawkins on the Big Screen, 15
May, 8:15pm - 9:30pm. If you have a question you’d like answered, please send it direct to the festival office (Auckland
Writers & Readers Festival, 1b Ponsonby Road, Newton, Auckland 1011 or email your questions for Richard Dawkins to:
info@writersfestival.co.nz before Sunday 10 May with DAWKINS in the subject line.
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FREE EVENTS
There are eleven free events listed and clearly marked on The Edge website. Events include: “Emerging Stars” with
fabulous new writers Eleanor Catton, Bridget van der Zijpp and Anna Taylor; a documentary about Frank Sargeson, with
current Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellow Steve Braunias, Sargeson mentee Kevin Ireland, and the inimitable Chris Cole
Catley on hand to talk about Frank Sargeson afterwards; a special reading of letters between Charles Brasch and Janet
Frame, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Awards ceremony on Saturday night; a discussion about publishing featuring New
Yorker Rhonda Sherman, editor of the award-winning New Zealand Listener Pamela Stirling, and AUT journalism professor
Martin Hirst. Not to mention a readings session with top YA writers M.T. Anderson, Mal Peet (Carnegie medal winner and
all round fascinating man) and our own extraordinary Kate De Goldi.
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WIN BOOKS
PICK UP A FESTIVAL PROGRAMME, ENTER THE COMPETITION WITHIN, AND YOU COULD WIN BOOKS TO THE VALUE OF $300, AND AN
INVITATION FOR YOU AND A FRIEND TO COME TO THE FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT PARTY. Pick up a programme from your local
bookshop, cafe, or library, find the competition form within, post the completed form to the address below, and you’re
in the draw.
ends