Illustrators and writers of books for children and young adults from throughout New Zealand will gather for the Wild (Writers and Illustrators Love Dunedin) Imaginings hui on November 9 and 10.
Among them will be keynote authors Kate De Goldi and Tessa Duder in conversation on Saturday, November 9, from 10.30am, at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Entry by koha.
Duder has been a significant figure in New Zealand children's literature for the past 40 years, as both an award-winning writer and an advocate for the form and its authors. Trained as a journalist, she has published almost 50 works of fiction and non-fiction, including the Alex quartet of books.
During the session, De Goldi will talk with Duder about the breadth of her writing career, her new publications and the "golden age'' in New Zealand children's literature, from the late 1970s to the early 2000s.
De Goldi is a multi award-winning writer of fiction for all ages, who teaches creative writing in schools and for adults throughout New Zealand. This year, she began teaching a writing for children course at Massey University.
De Goldi will also be involved in a panel discussion with Stacy Gregg and Rachael Craw on their "journeys to publication'', on Sunday, November 10, at 1pm, on the fourth floor at Dunedin Public Library.
Wild Imaginings co-convener Trish Brooking said the hui promised to be an "exciting and engaging'' weekend.
Authors and illustrators would join influential industry professionals to deliver a diverse programme of workshops, keynotes and panel discussions ``right in the heart of New Zealand's UNESCO City of Literature''.
"This is an invaluable opportunity for children's authors and illustrators to reflect on their craft, exchange ideas, hear from publishers and connect with one another,'' Brooking said.
"We're absolutely delighted to be hosting this national hui in Dunedin for the first time.''
• A hui marketplace will be operating throughout the weekend in the Octagon Club (Age Concern), 9 The Octagon.
Registrations for the full weekend of events are still open. To register, search online for Wild Imaginings.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
