Hamilton Book Month 2024
Every August, Hamilton Book Month celebrates New Zealand authors and their writing, with events covering different genres and age groups. Readers from the Waikato and beyond are invited to meet authors, listen to them discuss their work, and ask questions. With activities and events for all ages, all month, this is a local celebration you won't want to miss.
Come and join panellists Emily Perkins and Anna Smaill in conversation with chair Elizabeth Kirkby-McLeod.
Poppies Bookstore will have books available.
6:30 - 8:00pm, Friday 2 August
The Atrium, Wintec
Free Event, no registration required
Award-winning writer and experienced creative writing teacher Emily Perkins will lead an interactive workshop on finding the right voice for your fiction.
9:30 - 11:00am, Saturday 3 August
Trust Waikato, 4 Little London Lane
$30 cost, registration required Full
Panellists Emma Wehipeihana, Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku and Craig Hoyle talk with chair Caroline Barron. Poppies Bookstore will have books available.
6:30 - 8:00pm, Friday 9 August
The Atrium, Wintec
Free Event, no registration required
Story coach and manuscript maestro Caroline Barron helps with the most challenging aspect of memoir writing: figuring out how to tell your story.
9:30am - 12:30pm, Saturday 10 August
Trust Waikato, 4 Little London Lane
$30 cost, registration required Full
Join other blokes to discuss what you’ve been reading with August theme of thriller facilitated by Wintec Librarian Mark Caunter.
6:00 - 7:30pm, Wednesday 14 August
Lido Foyer Centre Place, 500 Victoria St
Free Event, no registration required
Join Poet Laureate Chris Tse in launching Tracey Slaughter’s new poetry collection and hear invited poets.
6:30 - 8:00pm, Friday 16 August
Te Whare Tāpere Iti, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Waikato University
Free Event, no registration required
New Zealand Poet Laureate Chris Tse will lead an exploration of writing in, and against, form.
9:30am - 12:30pm, Saturday 17 August
Trust Waikato, 4 Little London Lane
$30 cost, registration required Full
Is Home a place or a state of mind? Ben Brown shares work and thoughts on the theme of 'Home'.
1:30 - 3:00pm, Sunday 18 August
Stack Area Level 2, Central Library
Free Event, no registration required
Hear from former police officers turned booksellers and authors Gareth and Louise, and solve a mystery through the ingenious device of clues left in Poppies Hamilton.
5:30 - 7:00pm, Thursday 22 August
Poppies Hamilton, Casabella Lane
Free Event, FULL email <hamilton@poppiesbooks.co.nz> to go on waiting list
In an engaging and interactive session, writer Elizabeth (Libby) Kirkby-McLeod will take you through the basics of writing as a business.
9:30 -12:30pm, Saturday 24 August
Trust Waikato, 4 Little London Lane
$30 cost, registration required
Get a team together and test your literary knowledge with quizmasters Richard and Janine Swainson.
Email <bagfullofdeath@yahoo.co.nz> to register your team.
6:00 - 9:00pm, Thursday 29 August
The Londoner, Victoria St
$10 cost, registration required
22 Year 5 & 6 teams and 26 Year 7 & 8 teams face off to test their book knowledge. Who will be crowned the 2024 Book Battle Champions?
9:30 - 11:00am and 12:30 - 2:00pm, Friday 30 August
Level 2, Central Library, Garden Place
Free Event, no registration required for audience
Writers talk for 3-4 minutes about writing and publishing their books, facilitated by Cate Prestidge. The authors’ books will be for sale at the event.
9:30 -11:30am, Saturday 31 August
Events Room 1, Wintec, Tristram St
Free Event, no registration required
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Every August, Hamilton Book Month celebrates New Zealand authors and their writing, with events covering different genres and age groups. Readers from the Waikato and beyond are invited to meet authors, listen to them discuss their work, and ask questions. With activities and events for all ages, all month, this is a local celebration you won't want to miss.
We are passionate about providing no and low cost events and are extremely thankful to our funders Creative New Zealand, Hamilton City Council, Trust Waikato and National Poetry Day.
We'd love to hear your comments and ideas. You can use the Contact Us form above and subscribe to our email newsletter by filling in your details above.
We suggest you follow us on our Facebook page Hamilton Book Month to get regular updates, information and photos before and during this time. We are also on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
