This is our fourth Same same but different Writers Festival. We’re growing up and growing out. This year, we have events at both the Auckland Art Gallery and the Basement Theatre, as well as our home nest at AUT University. We encompass a queer film screening and the only LGBTQI writing contest in Aotearoa (which has increased prize money, thanks to the generosity of the Wallace Arts Foundation and will be presented during the 2019 Auckland Writers Festival). One of the pleasing aspects of the festival is the number of younger writers coming through, as seen in the ‘Break-out new talent’ session.

We are the only LGBTQI writers festival in Aotearoa and it feels great that we have three warmly received and successful festivals behind us and that we’re keeping on keeping on growing. This is our k?rero, our five-day writing marae, our magic space wherein we become the centre of the world for a few days – so take advantage of it. We only survive through you buying tickets and persuading your friends to come along. We exist for you, but we can only continue if you gift us your strength and your aroha and your presence.

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