Readers and Writers programme impresses Nelson readers

Readers and Writers programme impresses Nelson readers

Graeme Simsion

Lloyd Jones was the first of the guest writers to sell out in this year’s Page and Blackmore Readers and Writers, a popular series of talks and panel discussions staged annually as part of the Nelson Arts Festival (Oct 11-28 2013).

Programme coordinator Jacquetta Bell says there’s been a great response to the line-up this year.

“The readers of Nelson are very excited about it,” she said. “Ardent fans have got their concession cards to attend all 14 sessions and others are making their choice between fiction, fact and the famous brain food of the Thinking Brunches – where we like to say there’s much more than a bagel to chew on.”

The programme includes Emily Perkins from the International Institute of Modern Letters talking with Jacquetta about the state of writing in New Zealand today, Kate De Goldi has a session for kids and another for the adult crowd, and two teen readers will be on a panel with young adult writer Karen Healey whose dystopian look into the future has earned her a place on the environmental brunch with hard hitters Sir Alan Mark, Jim Salinger and Craig Potton. 

“One writer to look out for is our first international guest, Australian screenwriter turned novelist Graeme Simsion,” Jacquetta said. “His quirky ‘nerd meets party-girl’ novel is a phenomenal success – it has sold to over 40 countries, is a bestseller in Italy and Taiwan, he has toured the UK and Italy, has tours to the USA and Germany coming up and has just signed a six-figure deal with Simon & Schuster. You wouldn’t want to miss Graeme - right here in Nelson.”

Retiring Nelson city councillor Gail Collingwood will launch the programme on Saturday October 12, with Sir Alan Mark’s talk.

“I’m proud to have served on a council that supports thought-provoking events such as Readers and Writers,” she said. “There are all too few opportunities in the world of Twitter and the soundbite to just take an hour out to sit and listen and perhaps come away with some fresh ideas - or even a mind shift on an issue like climate change.”

The Nelson Arts Festival runs from October 11-28, with the Page & Blackmore Readers and Writers’ sessions clustered in the three weekends.

The festival is presented by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors.

Bookings and further information at nelsonartsfestival.co.nz

ENDS

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