Literature

Recently we've discussed lost opportunities for our young writers with the end of several literary competitions. But there is now a new outlet for writers under 25 to have their work published. Poet… Audio

In this week's episode: violin virtuoso Anthony Marwood talks about the Britten concerto, before we hear from science writer Philip Ball and ex-pat New Zealand bass-baritone Martin Snell. Audio

Philip Ball writes on all sorts of science-related topics, including theories of colour, invisibility, and music. Eva catches up with him ahead of his talks at the Auckland Writers Festival and for… Audio

Emily St John Mandel's latest novel 'Station Eleven' recently won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award for Science Fiction. She visits the Auckland Writers Festival this week, and tells Eva about… Audio

In May, the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival will host some of the finest poets, authors and journalists from New Zealand and abroad. Chairperson Alexandra Bligh tells Eva what's on offer. Audio

Jindra Tichá moved to New Zealand from the Czech Republic, and she's incorporated both countries in her novel, Death and Forgiveness. In it, Anna and her husband flee the turmoil in Czechoslovakia in… Audio

A hundred years after the war on drugs started - it's timely to ask just how did it start? Who started it? And why after all these years, does the war on drugs continue? And what would happen if you… Audio

Dr Geoff Kemp looks back at censorship through the ages, and how these days it's mainly regarded as the enemy of free speech. Censorship Moments: Reading Texts in the History of Censorship and Freedom… Audio

New Zealand is the country of honour at another of the world's big literary events - two years ago it was Frankfurt, this year Taiwan's chosen this country to introduce to its readers and others from… Audio

Introducing new New Zealand literary journal, Headland made for the online generation. Laura McNeur and Liesl Nunns are the founding editors of this journal, which concentrates on short stories and… Audio

Sandra Gilbert is currently holds the title of Distinguished Professor of English emirita at the University of California, Davis. Her latest book, The Culinary Imagination is a look at how we… Audio

Eleven researchers have been awarded prestigious medals by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Audio

Rejection makes you stop in your tracks. No sooner do your eyes trace over the words: I am writing to inform you… Then your heart sinks, your eyes well with tears, the piece of paper falls to the… Audio

Kate Camp discusses Persuasion, the 1818 novel by Jane Austen. Audio

A Porirua man has been reconnected with a unique part of his Cook Island heritage. Tengaepu o te Rangi Tararo is originally from the island of Mauke in the Cook Islands. He's a father of six… Audio

A panel discussion about contemporary literature dealing with the First World War involving Harry Ricketts, Kate Camp, Jane Stafford and Matt Elliott. The conversation includes generous readings from… Audio

Writer Jack Lasenby on his latest literary achievement - winning the 2014 Prime Minister's Award for Fiction. He is one of New Zealand's best loved writers for children and was described by Margaret… Audio

Canadian award-winning film director and screenwriter, David Cronenberg's body of film work has often portrayed controversial and shocking subject matter, with movies including: Dead Ringers, The Fly… Audio

Literary commentators Kate Camp, Harry Ricketts, Jane Stafford and Kate Hunter look at literature from the front lines, including 'Storm of Steel', 'Testament of Youth' and 'We Shall Not Cease'. What… Audio