The NZ juggernaut begins to rumble to life...

...with this article by Laura Kroetsch, who tells you what books to read in preparation for the New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week in March:

We are thrilled to be hosting Neil Gaiman, the literary superstar, and Margo Lanagan, the Australian writer whose recent novel, Tender Morsels, has done that remarkable trick of ‘crossing over’ to adult readers. Both Gaiman and Lanagan are fabulous writers and even those who don’t think they like fantasy should give them a go

She doesn't actually tell you that Neil and I will be on the same panel, chaired by Kate de Goldi. I will just sit there and be fangirlish at both of them, but they, being responsible adults, will talk about how we shouldn't sugar-coat children's literature. I'm sure it'll be a fun, possibly rude, panel, so if you happen to be in Wellington, come by!

Also, I'll be on a panel about story and hi-story with Daniel Kehlmann and Simon Schama. This one will be totally terrifying, so if you could come by and laugh at my lame jokes, I'd be very grateful.

Also, you'll be able to spend An Hour With Margo Lanagan, you lucky thing, at some stage. Details of all these adventures to follow pretty soon, I think.