Now in its sixth year, the Queenstown Writers Festival is set to host its most ambitious and wide-ranging programme yet from October 31 - 3 November at Te Atamira. 25 of Aotearoa’s most prominent writers will convene on the shores of Whakatipu Waimāori to inspire, enthral and generally celebrate the wonder that is storytelling across 31 dynamic events.

For those looking to hone their own craft, there’s are workshops on editing and poetry writing. Gavin Bishop lends his mana to a series of events, including two for children at Frankton and Wānaka Libraries. A number of best-selling books of the past year are up for discussion with their authors, including Pippa Latour’s incredible story The Last Secret Agent written by Jude Dobson, the striking debut memoir There’s a Cure for This by Emma Wehipeihana (Espiner) and the singular essay collection Otherhood with editors Lil O’Brien and Kathryn Van Beek. New books will also be celebrated: This is the F#$%ing News by Paddy Gower, and Airana Ngarewa’s lively bilingual collection of short stories Pātea Boys. Lovers of true crime and nonfiction have plenty on offer, and there’s also a panel on the future of NZ media, theatre, a book launch and the return of The Sampler, a much-loved showcase of local writing.

Alongside the Festival events, writers across Otago and Southland are invited to partake in a burst of creative energy through the 48 hour writing competition.