Local writers celebrated at book fair

FOR THE KIDS: Children's books by author/illustrators Viv Walker and Tania Connelly, such as Over the Hill to Greytown, will make perfect Christmas gifts.

What do tales of sheep dogs, eels, former mayors, the New Zealand national anthem, olive groves and delivery men have in common?

Their stories were in penned here in Wairarapa -- and they will all be on display among many others in Carterton this weekend.

Literary group Wai Word is holding the Wairarapa Book Fair, hosted by Carterton Events Centre, featuring close to 30 Wairarapa-based authors and their published works.

Wai Word co-ordinator Madeleine Slavick said the books on display cover a wide range of genres and topics, such as children's animal stories, rhyming poetry, regency romance, commentary on family violence and the life of former Masterton Mayor Bob Francis.

Ms Slavick, who will be selling her own poetry collections, said having a large number of Wairarapa authors in one place would be inspiring for local bibliophiles.

"It'll give people a sense of the range the region offers," she said.

"In Wairarapa, we still tend to think all the big, successful writers are from Wellington, and we're just a small appendix.

"But we've got quite a few great writers.

"If we get them all together, it'll create a buzz and people can see what's possible from our small region."

Authors include children's authors-illustrators Anneleise Hall, Viv Walker and Ali Foster, Featherston romance novelist Jude Knight, Jared Gulian of Moon over Martinborough fame, Ed Beetham, who wrote about Brancepeth Station in Boar's Path and Carterton's Gaye Sutton, who recently released her first novel But for the Grace, exploring the issue of violence against women.

Several writers have released new material, such Tania Connelly's John Joe's Tune -- about the origins of God Defend New Zealand -- archivist Neil Frances' World War I-themed work The Long, Long Trail, and recently-published works by Martinborough children's writer Phillip Percy and Being Palagi author Anthony Haas.

Ms Slavick said the authors would be on hand to sign copies and field questions from fans and other aspiring authors.

"They'll be able to ask the things they've always wanted to know -- such as why [an author] ended a book in a particular way, and how can they themselves get published."

Authors will also be giving seminars during the fair. These include an address from Jude Knight on feminism in romance novels, performance poetry from Martinborough writer John Ansell, a speech from Gary Caffell about his recent biography of Bob Francis, A Story of My Town and a presentation about getting published from Fraser Books.

Following the book fair, Wai Word will host a "Welcome to Carterton" gathering, inviting new residents to the town to meet the authors.

Ms Slavick said the book fair will provide a timely Christmas shopping opportunity.

"Definitely buy gifts, but more importantly, buy something for yourself."

The Wairarapa Book Fair is on Sunday, December 6, from midday to 3pm, with the Carterton newcomers' event at 4pm. Entry to the fair is free, book sales cash only.