Peninsula Writers Festival - Author Sessions

Come and meet the authors and have the opportunity to ask them questions about their craft.

Coromandel Peninsula Writers Festival Sessions

The festival schedule is as follows: 

Gala Opening 

• 29th May Gala Opening - 7pm Mercury Twin Cinemas 

View details and ticket information for the festival gala opening by clicking on the CONNECTED WITH button on this page. Gala Tickets $20 each. 

Author Sessions 5th - 26th June 

Two author sessions each Thursday. Each author session will be held at the TCDC Boardroom (10 Monk Street, Whitianga). Each session is approximately one hour and books will be for sale at each session.

Buy tickets for Author Sessions

Book an author session online via Mercury Twin Cinemas booking page - note each author session is being held at the TCDC Boardroom. 

• Author Session tickets $15 each session.
• Click the red BUY TICKETS button on this page (scroll to select and book the author session of your choice).
• Or go to Mercury Twin Cinemas booking pages and scroll to select and book the author session of your choice. 

5th June Author Session

• 1.30pm  Giorgio Allemano (Interviewee Pauline)
• 3pm Des Hunt (Interviewee Lesley Preece)

12th June Author Session

• 1.30pm  Mark Vette (Interviewee Margot)
•  3pm Nick, Michael and Anya Stride (Interviewee Dorothy Preece)

19th June Author Session

• 1.30pm  Niva Kay (Interviewee Fabian)
• 3pm Ginney Deavoll (Interviewe Leo)

26th June Author Session

• 1.30pm  Russell Skeet (Interviewee Greg)
• 3pm  Stephanie Parkyn (Interviewee Greg).

About the Authors 

Giorgio Allemano

Giorgio Allemano was born in Turin, Italy, where he completed a Masters degree in biological sciences. He spent time overseas specialising in marine aquaculture, a subject for which he wrote several articles in the main Italian newspaper La Stampa, and which has formed a basis for his lifelong love of the ocean. He later joined the family firm, a manufacturer and importer of surveying instruments, eventually becoming the general manager for Italy of theJapanese firm which had acquired the original family business.In 1995 he left Italy to move with his young family to New Zealand where he now lives close to the ocean.

Two Dogs One Wife is his first book. 

Des Hunt

Des Hunt was a science and technology teacher for many years, interspersed with periods of curriculum development both in New Zealand and overseas, with several text books published to support the New Zealand curriculum. In later years he looked at other ways of interesting youngsters in science, creating computer games and writing non-fiction and fiction with scientific themes.

He now lives at Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula. After forty-four years’ experience in education, he retired from the classroom in 2007 to concentrate on writing fiction for children. He continues his aims of fostering young peoples’ natural interest in the science of their surroundings by visiting schools and libraries where he runs workshops and presentations. 

Author of Whale Pot Bay. 

Mark Vette

MSc (hons) Zoology Animal Behaviour Consultant

Mark is a world-renowned Animal Behaviourist and Trainer, who has been studying and training dogs for more than 40 years. Built on his deep knowledge of dog behaviour, Mark’s online training courses teach you the basic foundations for establishing a loving, sound relationship and all the tools and techniques you need to both teach the basic commands, and correct common, persistent behaviour problems. He is deeply passionate about the beautiful relationship and astounding connection we share with our dogs.

Author of Puppy Zen-Zen Dogs and to be published soon Cat Zen: The Gentle Cat. 

Nick, Michael, Anya Stride

Nick moved to Russia in 1998 to help build the British Embassy in Moscow, but ended up on the run with his wife and two children after leaking secrets from Vladimir Putin’s one-time deputy. Hiding off grid on Australia’s final frontier – remote beaches on the Dampier Peninsula on the far north Kimberley coast –the family faced crocodiles, sharks, snakes, raging bushfires and the devastating Cyclone Yvette, and survived only by catching fish and crabs and learning how to kill wild animals. It was a life-or-death move, but Nick felt he had no choice. Now, emerging from isolation, the family are finally ready to share their incredible story.

Author of Run for your life. 

Niva Kay

Niva is the founder of Pākaraka Permaculture, an award-winning regenerative organic market garden and education centre on the Coromandel Peninsula. As a multi-disciplinary professional, she has built a career bridging environmental sustainability, digital media, and education. Her past work includes co-authoring two best-selling books ‘The Abundant Garden’ and 'The Abundant Kitchen', Establishing The Rebel Film Collective and working as a producer/director and writer on the award-winning feature documentary High Tide Don’ t Hide. Niva holds a Diploma in Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies, a Bachelor in Leadership for Change, and a Master in Technological Futures. She is currently a PhD candidate at The University of Auckland's Design Programme. 

Co-author of the two best-selling books ‘The Abundant Garden’ and 'The Abundant Kitchen'.

Ginney Deavoll 

“Isn’t it amazing how something can begin with a casual or stray thought, a dream that somehow resonates in your mind? You begin to wonder if it’s possible, do a bit of casual research, mention it to family and friends every once in a while. Then before you know it you’re printing out maps, buying gear and standing on a deserted south coast beach surrounded by the equipment to make that idea a reality. ”This was how the greatest adventure of my life started. The process of writing a book about that adventure and having it published was quite similar. I simply began. In the beginning I knew very little about what I was hoping to produce and the process of getting there. By the end, after an immense amount of learning I held in my hands what I now consider a great treasure that I can share with my children, wider family and the world. 

Author of Coast to Coast Peddle Paddle

Russell Skeet

Being born in New Plymouth and having lived most of my life in Thames, I am, unashamedly, a small-town lad with a passion for ordinary. I have grown to recognise the curious significance of ‘little town’ NewZealand, and to champion those ordinary citizens who are often referred to as ‘heartland New Zealanders’. This is not to diminish my sense of self, rather it is to recognise and accept my being a part of the whole. An interest in local history has given me a sense of perspective and revealed an everyday character about whom I have written, a timber merchant and ironmonger, whose ordinary legacy is ‘enough’.

Author of History of the Reed Bros - to be published soon. 

Stephanie Parkyn

Stephanie Parkyn is the author of three novels of historical fiction published by Allen & Unwin: Into the World, Josephine’s Garden and The Freedom of Birds. Her debut novel was long listed for the Tasmanian Premiere’s Literary Awards. Her latest novel, The Freedom of Birds, features the fates of storytellers and theatre performers during the fall of Napoleon’s empire, the dangers of speaking truth to power, and three foundlings searching for family. Stephanie writes from her home in the bush-clad northern Coromandel, where she co-hosts the Northern Coromandel Writers Escape.

Author of Into the World, Josephine’s Garden and The Freedom of Birds.