Programme Announced for Second Young Writers Festival

FRIDAY 29 JULY 2016

Programme Announced for Second New Zealand Young Writers Festival

After a successful first year, the New Zealand Young Writers Festival is back for its second round. From September 1-4 Dunedin, New Zealand’s UNESCO City of Literature, will host 15 free events - workshops, panel discussions and performances - specifically catered to young and emerging writers. This year’s festival, produced by the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust, is a must for budding novelists, journalists, poets, songwriters, illustrators, filmmakers and spelling enthusiasts.

The Festival begins with an opening event on Thursday 1st September at the University Book Shop Dockway entitled Words with Friends, featuring performances from Hera Lindsay Bird, Gregory Kan and Lynley Edmeades. On Friday 2nd, Radio New Zealand’s The Wireless will host four workshops at the Otago Pioneer Women’s Hall, one each for up-and-coming story writers, filmmakers, illustrators and journalists.

Friday continues into the night with two events at the Leviathan Hotel. The Festival is proud to welcome back Alex Casey from The Spinoff for a live recording of her monthly On the Rag panel podcast, putting women in the spotlight. Following this is the 30th Dunedin PechaKucha Night, the global phenomenon where presenters have 20 seconds to speak to each of their own 20 images.

The season of workshops continue at Otago Pioneer Women’s Hall on the morning of Saturday 3rd, with Hera Lindsay Bird & Gregory Kanpresenting their Soft Machines poetry class. Three panel discussions follow in the afternoon - BWB Texts (short books tackling big questions) with David Hall, Holly Walker & Morgan Godfrey; song writing led by Dunedin musician Dudley Benson; and the power and value of the Official Information Act led by local writer Eloise Callister-Baker with panel members Jess McAllen, Sasha Borissenko and Marcelo Rodriguez-Ferrere.

Saturday night’s triple-billing opens at Carroll St café Wolf at the Door with the pitch black humour of novelist Brannavan Gnanalingam, followed by the second Great Annual NZYWF Spelling Bee Championship and the Electric Salon Social. Keep an eye on the NZYWF website for the eclectic brew of DJs and live beats.

The Festival will come to a close on Sunday 4th with the Otago Pioneer Women’s Hall accommodating the NZ Book Council’s True Stories Told Live event. This will feature six unique storytellers each presenting an intriguing story for eight minutes, an excellent way to round up the four days of literary inspiration and learning in Dunedin.

Entry into all events is free of charge! Those interested in attending workshops must register by emailing their name tolook@youngwritersfest.nz. Printed guides are available in select locations nationwide and full information is available on the festival websitewww.youngwritersfest.nz.

WHAT: NEW ZEALAND YOUNG WRITERS FESTIVAL

WHEN: Thursday 1st September – Sunday 4th September 2016

WHERE: Various venues around Dunedin

WEBSITE: youngwritersfest.nz

ATTACHED: NZYWF Event Listings (WORD)

NZYWF Digital Guide (PDF)

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