Writers on Mondays warms winter with fire and flair
The 2018 Writers on Mondays programme is now available.
Victoria University of Wellington's International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) presents its popular Writers on Mondays series for 2018, showcasing some of the best new writing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
From Hicksville to London, India to Wellington and fever to fire, the 2018 season includes award-winning poets, essayists, comic creators and novelists. The series runs from 17 July—1 October, with sessions each Monday from 12.15–1.15pm in Te Marae, Level 4 at Te Papa. The exception is two 'Short Sharp Script' events which will be held at Circa Theatre. Admission is free to all sessions.
'We are delighted to have renowned comic creator and illustrator Dylan Horrocks as the Victoria University/Creative New Zealand Writer in Residence for 2018,' says IIML Director Professor Damien Wilkins. 'Writers on Mondays kicks off with an illustrated tour of Dylan’s world, including a sneak preview of his current project, a graphic novel about playing Dungeons & Dragons.'
The following Monday, the programme turns to two recent novels set in Wellington, but with their eyes on the world. Rajorshi Chakraborti and Kate Duignan talk about their new books The Man Who Would Not See and The New Ships with Professor Wilkins.
On 30 July, the IIML celebrates Winter Eyes, the new poetry collection by highly esteemed poet, editor, biographer and popular Victoria University of Wellington Professor, Harry Ricketts, who appears in conversation with colleague Professor Jane Stafford.
On 6 August, a quartet of poets takes the stage. Therese Lloyd (The Facts) and Chris Tse (He's So MASC) talk about and read from their latest books, and the IIML introduces two exciting debut writers, Tayi Tibble (Te Whānau ā Apanui/Ngāti Porou) with Poūkahangatus and Sam Duckor-Jones with People from the Pit Stand Up.
On 13 August the IIML presents Victoria University of Wellington poet and critic Anna Jackson, talking about her career-spanning volume of selected and new poems, Pasture and Flock, with poet and editor Helen Rickerby.
Writers on Mondays starts the festivities for National Poetry Day early with the annual Best New Zealand Poems reading on 20 August, bringing together poets whose work was chosen by 2017 editor and current Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh.
On 27 August, award-winning novelist Tina Makereti talks to Lawrence Patchett about her new novel The Imaginary Lives of James Pōneke, an orphaned son of a chief, ardent student of English, and wide-eyed survivor who travels to London in 1846.
Memoir writers Gigi Fenster and Megan Dunn join Victoria University of Wellington's Emily Perkins on 3 September for a discussion about books, heat, and writing about the self.
September also brings the annual showcase of work from the current cohort of writers from the IIML's Master's in Creative Writing Programme. Poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction can be heard at Te Papa, and actors perform dynamic new work from the Master of Scriptwriting workshop at Circa Theatre.
The full 2018 Writers on Mondays programme is attached. It can also be downloaded from the IIML's website.
Writers on Mondays is presented by Victoria University of Wellington's International Institute of Modern Letters with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and additional support from Circa Theatre.
For more information contact IIML lecturer Pip Adam on pip.adam@vuw.ac.nz or modernletters@vuw.ac.nz
A media release issued by Victoria University of Wellington Communications & Marketing. Alix Chapman, Communications Adviser, can be contacted by emailing alix.chapman@vuw.ac.nz or phoning (04) 463 6908