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Waikato Museum and two branches of Hamilton City Libraries will host several events as part of Hamilton Book Month.

Now into its eleventh year, Hamilton Book Month is arranged by what co-organiser Catherine Wallace describes as “a committee of two people” – Catherine and Hamilton Book Month founder and Wintec Media Arts Lecturer Gail Pittaway – who are both part of Friends of Hamilton Public Library.

Hamilton Book Month (HBM) traditionally coincided with New Zealand Book Month, but the latter event frequently changed dates, leading HBM organisers essentially go it alone.

“We decided to call our event programme Hamilton Book Month and make it in August because the one date that never changed was National Poetry Day which is always the last Friday in August,” Catherine says.

“We very strongly believe people from Hamilton and Waikato should have the opportunity to meet authors and illustrators and money shouldn’t be a barrier,”

“Not everyone can travel to the main centres to attend readers and writers festivals. That’s why so many of our events are free and at central locations with easy access.”

Catherine says this year’s focus for Hamilton Book Month is on skill-building, with a number of workshops planned across the month covering topics including writing fiction, poetry, travel writing and illustration.

“Apart from the four workshops to build skills, there are three panels that will give audiences exposure to award winning and best-selling authors and illustrators again at no cost,” Catherine says.

“People are welcome to come and hear the panel chairs ask these guests about their work and how they get published which will inspire them with their own writing.”

Catherine says the support of publishing firms is vital to the success of HBM: “We have built strong support with publishers and publicists. They have been really helpful with suggesting authors we may like to feature in our programme and sending press releases, advance copies, book reviews etc. Sometimes they attend events (as will be the case during the Fiction Three Ways panel this year) and support us by supplying books for competitions and giveaways.”

Authors, reviewers and illustrators to feature as part of this year’s HBM include Dame Fiona Kidman, Diana Wichtel, Vivianne Flintoff, Donovan Bixley, Angie Belcher, Catherine Robertson, James Russell and Kiran Dass.

“We are also celebrating our local Waikato talent including Catherine Chidgey, Tracey Slaughter, Nikki Crutchley, Kat Merewether, Julie Thomas and Angela Keoghan,” Catherine says.

Rebecca Whitehead, Hamilton City Libraries Director, says supporting Hamilton Book Month reflects the libraries’ commitment to literacy, learning and the love of literature and writing.

“Our fundamental service to the community is books, magazines and other printed material for borrowing – that’s what we do,” Rebecca says.

“Initiatives like Hamilton Book Month complement our strategic aims of supporting our community in ‘lifelong learning’, and using libraries’ physical spaces as social hubs for literacy.

“We want to connect our communities, and make our branches focal points for our communities – and Hamilton Book Month helps us achieve that,” she says.

Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham says: “Hamilton Book Month and Waikato Museum share a similar purpose in connecting people with arts and culture, and providing experiences that go beyond the words on a page or paintings on a wall. Waikato Museum is looking forward to being part of this year’s programme with our storytelling event and exhibition of New Zealand children’s book illustrations, Painted Stories.”

For a full list of events during Hamilton Book Month, including those being held at Hamilton City Libraries and Waikato Museum, click here to visit Hamilton Book Month’s website. More information is available on Hamilton Book Month on Facebook.

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