Self-described "Scottish elf trapped in middle-aged man's body" among highlights from the first week of Auckland Writers Festival.

Veteran lawyer and human rights advocate isn't letting poor health stop his solo session today at the Auckland Writers Festival.

Alan Cumming says he has been surprised at a surge of support for his writing a personal memoir in which he detailed the vicious sadism of his father who died in 2010.

The secret identity of Marvel's female Thor has been revealed.

There are some gems at the Auckland Writers Festival with tickets still available... Here are five sessions recommended by books editor Linda Herrick.

Author takes on internet bullies: "The internet doesn’t just offer opportunities for misogynistic abuse, you know. Penis enlargers can also be bought discreetly."

He’s the self-styled revolutionary who backed Ed Miliband at the Election and advocates the overthrow of "corporate tyranny".

Nigerian author Ben Okri uncovers the dark side of Arcadia in his latest novel. Stephen Jewell chats to the writer.

Success has given Tim Winton, one of Australia’s best-loved authors, the luxury of time to craft his books into their ideal form, writes David Larsen.

Auckland archaeologist and heritage expert Dave Veart tells the history of New Zealand through food and toys in his books.

One of the world's biggest selling authors is offering a cash lifeline to struggling New Zealand book stores to help get Kiwi kids reading.

A bitter row has erupted among top writers over the decision to award a top prize for freedom to Charlie Hebdo.

Organisers fear for the future of some of the country's literary events as the commercial sponsorship dollar gets smaller for traditional books.

The owner of Auckland CBD’s last remaining independent book retailer is mourning Whitcoull’s down-sizing.

Whitcoulls is leaving its iconic Queen St shop so that Farmers can return to Auckland's CBD. Here is the latest selection of Your Views on the upcoming closure.

With the release date of the sequel to Fifty Shades Of Grey confirmed, fans have been given a sneak peek at what's in store in the next installment.

A debut novel has readers curious about how they’ll be remembered when they die.

From all the hoo-ha over The Interview - a lowbrow farce lampooning Kim Jong-un, which led to the extraordinary cyber-attack on Sony Pictures - you might derive the casual impression that North Korea's notoriously repressive ruling body is anti-cinema.

When a young lady approached me at a gallery opening and whispered in my ear, "I love reading your columns.

In a new book, American cultural critic Kate Bolick argues that spinsterhood is an enviable state. Laura Freeman reports.

When Richard Stowers published his first book about the Gallipoli campaign in 2005 he knew he had more to say.

From paleo princesses to PowerPoint psychopaths, Kiwi women reveal what gets on their nerves.

Don’t panic, Auckland can be fixed. Greg Dixon talks to the author of a new book on New Zealand urban design about the 10 things we need to do to make it truly liveable.