Hooked on Books Donate

Book events and opportunities for writers calendar

Our calendar is full of book events and opportunities for writers organised by bookish groups throughout Aotearoa. Whether it’s a festival, book launch, award, grant, poetry reading or live storytelling event, never miss a book event or writers' opportunity in your community again!

Please list your event by clicking the button below. If you are listing a series of events, please note that the event title for each listing must differ in order for the listings to be displayed correctly.

Add your event or opportunity

July

Featherston Booktown 'Words in Winter' - Peta Mathias Fundraiser Gala Afternoon Tea

Join the ever-popular Peta Mathias – cook, raconteur, traveller, writer, singer, and TV star at a Gala Afternoon Tea on Saturday 11 July from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm in the Supper Room in the Anzac Hall.

Suzy Cato and The Kauri Family

An event with Suzy Cato at Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop

Book Launch | Stop Worrying About Money by Baubre Murray

Join us to celebrate the launch of 'Stop Worrying About Money' by Baubre Murray. All welcome.
Closed to Public

Writers in Schools visits by Jennifer Somervell

Canterbury based author of "Tales from the Farm" books is visiting schools in Marlborough this week.

Writing a Short Play

Writing for the stage is more than just telling a story. Playwright Dave Armstrong will help you develop the skills to create compelling, well-paced scenes and snappy dialogue that will work well on stage. By the end of the course, you will have written a short play.

You will be expected to work on your play in between each class, with the final class including a reading of each completed short play.

Between the Lines

Central Hawke's Bay's inaugural festival, Between the Lines.

Double Book Launch: Brannavan Gnanalingam & Murdoch Stephens

Join us to release two new books into the world! Brannavan Gnanalingam's 'Sprigs' and Murdoch Stephens' 'Rat King Landlord'.
Closed to Public

Writers in Schools visits by Juliette MacIver in Christchurch

Yes! it's happening! Wellington based author Juliette MacIver is visiting schools in Christchurch this week.
Closed to Public

Writers in Schools visits by Jennifer Somervell

Canterbury based author of "Tales from the Farm" books is visiting schools in Taranaki this week.

Storylines Nationals Story Tour - Manawatu Region

Applications for Story Tour visits in 2020 are OPEN!

Solid Air Launch Aotearoa

Celebrate the premiere NZ launch of the ground breaking ‘Solid Air: Australia & New Zealand Spoken Word’ anthology.

August

Hamilton Book Month

20 events throughout August 2020 during Hamilton Book Month
See hamiltonbookmonth.com for details and email hamiltonbookmonth@gmail.com

Rocket Storytime

3.2.1. BLAST OFF... !
Join us for Storytime featuring Amy who will read There's a Hedgehog in my Pants and talk about her writing journey. The session will feature a Lego challenge to build a hedgehog. This event is supported by Books For Kids with Amy's book for sale. Come and enjoy a hot coffee or hot chocolate on us. Further information here. This event is in partnership with Hamilton City Libraries.

Promote yourself as an author!

Kirsten McKenzie will lead a workshop covering:
-how to develop promotional material
-dealing with the media (providing a press release, key points for being interviewed, radio slot preparation etc)
-what makes a good author photo
-how to decide whether to use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, website etc
-how to ask for and use reviews to promote your work
The workshop costs $25 and afternoon tea will be served. Registration required, email hamiltonbookmonth@gmail.com Poppies Hamilton will have Kirsten's books for sale.

A Twist in the Tale: Writing Suspense Fiction

In this course, you will explore pacing, red herrings, unreliable narrators and other writing techniques to make your writing suspenseful and keep your readers on edge. You will write and workshop with others, as well as read and discuss texts by authors who have mastered the art of suspense writing.

Out on the Shelves

Out on the Shelves is an online resource that lists books with rainbow themes and characters, with the aim of supporting rainbow young people to find stories that represent their identities in positive and affirming ways.

Out on the Shelves is also an opportunity to create more visibility in our school and community libraries! Our campaign is a chance for libraries to promote and build their rainbow collections, celebrate these stories and help connect rainbow young people with their stories and with each other.
Closed to Public

Writers in Schools visits by Michel Mulipola

Auckland-based author Michel Mulipola is visiting schools in the Nelson/Tasman area this week.
Closed to Public

Writers in Schools visits by Des Hunt

Coromandel based author Des Hunt is visiting schools in Waikato this week.

Storylines National Story Tour - Auckland Region

Applications for Story Tour visits in 2020 are OPEN!

September

Poetry Lab

This is a peer-driven workshop for poets of all levels. You will work with other writers to encourage the art of poetry where your peers offer honest, positive and constructive feedback on your work. An ideal setting if you like writing poetry and want to improve your writing skills and develop your ‘voice’ in a supportive environment.

The final session will be a live class poetry reading.

Going West

Regretfully cancelled, due to Covid; For 25 years, Going West has led the way for readers' and writers' festivals in Aotearoa. Under the forested maunga of Titirangi in west Auckland, we gather most compelling, innovative and diverse group of story tellers that Aotearoa has to offer.

October

Yarns in Barns

Save the date! Wairarapa's biennial literary festival happening.

WBAJ charity book signing

We have so many talented authors here in New Zealand and abroad, and WBAJ is the place to meet them!

Storylines National Story Tour - Central Plateau Region

Applications for Story Tour visits in 2020 are OPEN!

WORD Christchurch Festival

New Dates! Mark your diaries... the 2020 WORD Christchurch Festival will now be taking place from 30 October - 1 November, with a new grassroots programme.

November

Ignition Children's Book Festival

Yes, it's happening! Our annual children's book festival.
Closed to Public

Writers in Schools visits by David Riley

Auckland-based Reading Warrior author David Riley will be in Wellington for the local SLANZA meeting.

Storylines National Story Tour - Marlborough Region

Applications for Story Tour visits in 2020 are OPEN!