Got time for drinks with a famed writer?

Like the idea of having drinks and a chat with a famed writer?

Then make sure you book in now for one of WORD Christchurch’s Faraway Near events at Tūranga’s TSB Space, where you can enjoy an evening of storytelling and conversation with a special international guest, who will be sitting life-sized at your table via a freestanding FDH display.

International writers participating in the Faraway Near include ground-breaking sci-fi novelist Emily St John Mandel, Guardian foreign correspondent Luke Harding, historical novelist Heather Morris (of The Tattooist of Auschwitz fame), novelist David Mitchell, New Yorker investigative reporter Patrick Radden Keefe, and author of word-of-mouth best-seller The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams.

The Faraway Near series is part of an extensive programme of events on during Word Christchurch – the annual festival that celebrates books, storytelling and ideas.

It opens on 31 August and runs until 4 September.

Word Christchurch programme director Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) and programme manager Kiran Dass have worked together to create an exciting schedule of close to 80 events featuring more than 140 speakers and performers.

Expect live and lively conversations from Liane Moriarty, Kate De Goldi, Clementine Ford, Val McDermid, Whiti Hereaka, J.P. Pomare, Coco Solid, Michael Robotham, Noelle McCarthy, Sue Orr, Nick Bollinger, Mohamed Hassan, Dame Fiona Kidman and Lloyd Jones.

The extraordinary Keri Hulme will also be celebrated in a special event, with the blessing of her whānau.

WORD Chrstchurch will also shine a light on Ngāi Tahu people and stores.

See the full WORD Christchurch programme and book tickets.

*Pictured above, Pip Williams of The Dictionary of Lost Words fame, is one of the authors featured in Faraway Near.