Peck-cha-kucha

Catherine Chidgey, with Marty Smith

Magpie madness! Catherine Chidgey’s novel

The Axeman’s Carnival is memorably narrated by Tama the magpie. And poet and author, Marty Smith, has cared for not one but two abandoned fledglings. Honestly, we’re not sure what these two have planned but we guarantee it will be exceptionally entertaining.

Sunday 29 Oct 9am Keirunga Gardens

Early bird: $xx | General: $xx

Bookshops are Magic

Deborah Coddington, Ruth Shaw and Olivia Spooner, with Lou Ward

There is a spell that only bookshops cast. Is it the aroma of fresh-printed pages or the excitement of new discoveries?

Bookshop owners and chroniclers, Deborah Coddington, Ruth Shaw, and Olivia Spooner talk with (who else) our own Lou Ward about why we love these special places, and tell their own tales about what it’s like to work surrounded by books.

Sunday 29 Oct, 11am

Magdalinos Room, Havelock North Function Centre

Early bird: $5 | General: $10

Sunday 29 Oct 2pm

Gliding From There to Here

Roger Hall and Joe Bennett, with Catherine Robertson

Is there wisdom that naturally comes with age or have you simply made so many mistakes you’ve been forced to wise up?

Our most successful playwright, Roger Hall, and much-loved columnist, Joe Bennett, tell Catherine Robertson about what advice they’d give to young people, including their younger selves. Expect irreverence, humour and the odd grump.

Magdalinos Room, Havelock North Function Centre

Early bird: $5 | General: $10

Sunday 29 Oct 4pm

Magdalinos Room, Havelock North Function Centre

Early bird: $5 | General: $10