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.

An author is set to claim his father is the murderer known as the Zodiac killer - one of the most notorious and still-at-large criminals in the US.

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."

One of the most successful authors in British history, with legions of fans and millions of pounds to her name is not immune to pressure.

The sniper is on a roof-top opposite a playground. He has a child in his cross-hairs.

Condemnation of Kim Dotcom's possession of a signed copy of Mein Kampf has been ridiculous, writes Sir Bob Jones.

Books editor Linda Herrick lets you in on her picks of this year's Writer's Festival lineup.

Scottish writer Alexander McCall Smith spent a year in Belfast in the middle of the Troubles. Amid the bombs and blasts, he discovered a great love, he tells Linda Herrick.

British authors Nicci Gerrard and Sean French tell Stephen Jewell why their book collaboration works so well.

I do not read a lot of noir crime fiction which, on the face of it, means I should not be writing this review — well, on the face the book presents after a few dozen pages, anyway.

Prime Minister John Key's wife Bronagh has taken on a few royal-like duties herself as an ambassador for the Blind Foundation and passed on a Hairy Maclary 'touch and feel' book for Prince George while dining with the royal couple last night.

Stephen Jewell talks to ‘Swedish Agatha Christie’ Camilla Lackberg about her close friendship with her characters, fact being darker than fiction and the myths surrounding her country.

The charming title of this book is a quotation from The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe.