The 7th Mapua Literary Festival is organised by volunteers from the library and features local writers from the Tasman & Golden Bay areas as well as Wellington and Auckland. The theme this year is Love, Lies & Legacy.
Opening night on the Friday features Martine Baanvinger performing Red Heavens: From Stromboli to D'Urville Island.
Authors include: Gerard Hindmarsh, Michael Bennett, Tom Rowling, Erin Palmisano, Olive Jones, Anna Riedel, Kerry Sutherland, Bruce Cole, Jennifer Hassloch and Jenny Pattrick.
Conversationalists: Adrienne Taylor, Chris Stuart, Steve Henry, Kerry Sutherland, Liz Price and Elaine Fisher
Poetry Evening - Verses of the Heart: Love, Lies & Lasting Legacy features: Carol Don Ercoland, Henry Ludbrook, Mark Raffills, Emma Stevens, Rose Michel Von Dreger, Warwick Stubbs, Roger Lusby. Join MC Roger Lusby for a fantastic evening as these artists entertain and inspire you with their poetry and ballads.
There is also a Love, Lies & Legacy short story competition open to all Tasman and Golden Bay writers. There are 3 categories: children (Years 6-8), young adults (Years 9-13) and adult (over 18 years).
Closing date for entries 7 September. Full details and entry form available on the website.
There will be two workshops:
Character Creation:
Dive into the art of creating characters that leap off the page with personality and depth. Experiment with techniques to make your characters relatable and engaging.

Creative Writing based on Love, Lies & Legacy. Tangled Hearts & Hidden Truths: A Creative Writing Journey.
Ready to unleash your creativity ? In this inspiring workshop, we’ll dive into the tangled emotions of love, the drama of deception, and the mark we leave behind. Through fun prompts and guided exercises, you’ll craft unforgettable characters and stories that stir the heart and spark the imagination.
Perfect for beginners and seasoned writers alike!
Details for these workshops are on the website.