Three important writers, all women over 65, were given separate standing ovations yesterday at the Auckland Writers Festival.

Three Australians – cartoonist Michael Leunig, writer John Marsden and artist Rod Moss – chewed over the question of whether their homeland is “The Lucky Country”.

What a treat to see Scottish writer Alexander McCall Smith in his packed-out Saturday session.

Perky Cambridge-based explorer and historian Huw Lewis-Jones blew some much-needed levity into the day.

Dutch historian Frank Dikotter, based in Hong Kong, has spent year immersed in the horrors to be found within China’s open archives.

Jayne Anne Phillips was first told about Harry Powers when she was a child.

Nicky Pellegrino is delighted by all the quirky characters in this Kiwi novel.

Danielle Wright talks to the talented folk behind the brand new Family Day at the Auckland Writers Festival.

Five of our most acclaimed writers tell us about the books that changed their lives.

It’s said that the good old days weren’t that great. But if you’re talking about the year 1984, writes Greg Dixon, then the good old days were actually rather good indeed.

In her second short story collection, her first in 15 years, Lorrie Moore peels back life’s outer layer and reveals what lies within.

If writers are rock stars, "this man beside me is Johnny Rotten", said Noelle McCarthy by way of sassy introduction of Irvine Welsh last night at the Auckland Writers Festival.

Writer Elizabeth Knox was yesterday awarded a $100,000 grant to write a memoir based on her experiences of violent death and illness in her family - a timely note to kick off the Auckland Writers Festival.

Writer Sandi Toksvig says that full-body exercise has helped to turn her life around.

In a Canvas exclusive, Eleanor Catton talks to Professor Jim Al-Khalili about physics, life, the universe and everything.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Colour Purple, Alice Walker, talks to Margie Thomson about the state of American politics, poetry — the lifeblood of rebellion and the richness of a life connected with nature.

Nicky Pellegrino picks the best reads to give (and receive) this Mother’s Day.

Best-selling author Matt Haig, 38, is about to have two more books published. Here, he explains how he only started writing to cope with his sudden, life-threatening depression.

What’s your lucky number? Alex Bellos conducted an online survey and discovered a hot favourite: people find the number 7 clever, cheery and divine.

Author Shonagh Koea tells Rebecca Barry Hill why she doesn’t stick to the rules.

Scottish writer Irvine Welsh, now based in Miami, is fascinated by Americans’ eating habits, he tells Stephen Jewell.

"Donny Mac was released at Easter time, about a month before Pansy Holloway, also known as Nightshade, disappeared for good."