Writers Week is fast approaching. In addition to every other excellent New Zealand Festival happening, from 8—13 March you can also get your fill of stimulating discussion in Wellington’s Embassy, BATS and Circa Theatres.

Packing quite some punch is the Gala Showcase: Fighting Talk on Thursday 10 March. Five writers who have never appeared on stage together before will share their personal stories on the theme of ‘rapprochement’ {noun: the development of friendlier relations between countries or groups}. Robert Dessaix, Mariko Tamaki, Etgar Keret, Courtney Sina Meredith and Sally Gardner are coming from all corners of the globe to be in Wellington, and each have a tale of conflict, and possibly also of resolution, to tell.

Writers Week includes sessions on running and the science of endurance, to genetics and brain surgery,  selling books, special effects, slam poetry and magical worlds.

Visit the Festival website to see a full list of events: http://www.festival.co.nz/2016/writers-week/