25 writers for Wairarapa book festival

Madeleine Slavick with books by Wairarapa authors ahead of the Wairarapa Book Fair at the Carterton Events Centre this Sunday. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

IN WHAT might be the largest gathering of Wairarapa authors ever, more than 25 writers are coming together for a pre-Christmas book fair hosted by Wairarapa Word.

A range of authors will talk about their work and sign books, and Wairarapa publishers and bookstores will be selling books from the region at the Wairarapa Book Fair being held at the Carterton Events Centre this Sunday from 12pm to 3pm.

Wairarapa Word co-ordinator Madeleine Slavick said the "Buy local. Give global" philosophy drove the event.

"It's always nice to give books from where you live, especially for friends and family who can't visit you."

The group was pleased to be showcasing a wide range of books published by Wairarapa writers, Ms Slavick said.

"I'm looking forward to just being in the same room with all of these authors.

"Sometimes it's hard to be aware of all the authors in a community -- they move in different circles: academia, online publishing, overseas markets, children's literature, poetry, illustrated books. Some Wairarapa authors have also recorded CDs, some have exhibited their visual art, and some are household names."

The fair will be the final event of the year for Wairarapa Word, which has in the past finished up the year by inviting an established author to read.

Originally the fair had been planned around new books but had widened to encompass both old and new works, Ms Slavick said.

"This year we knew we wanted to do something different and we wanted to profile Wairarapa writers.

"We just decided to open it up as wide as we could and turn it into as big a fair as we could get it."

Participating authors include John Ansell, Tania Atkinson, Di Batchelor, Ed Beetham, Gary Caffell and Bob Francis, Chris Daniell, Helen Dew, Ali Foster, Neil Frances, Ian F Grant, Rhondda Greig, Matt Guild, Jared Gulian, Anthony Haas, Anneleise Hall, Rosamunde Iorns-Read, Don Kinnell, Jude Knight, Mike Ledingham, Michelle O'Connell, Phillip Percy, Madeleine Slavick, Viv Walker, Jo Thorpe, Gaye Sutton, Lydia Wevers, Tracy Farr, Janis Freegard and Brandy Scott.

Wairarapa Word will receive $2 from each book sale to cover venue and publicity costs.

Guests are advised to bring cash as many of the stalls will be cash only.

Wairarapa-based authors interested in participating can call Almo's Books on 06 379 7103.