The festival is being co-organised by Victoria University of Wellington Associate Professor and 2016 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow, Dr Anna Jackson of Victoria’s School of English, Film, Theatre and Media Studies. Other co-organisers are her husband and Tuatua Café owner Simon Edmonds, and poet and publisher Helen Rickerby.

Dr Jackson says the festival will be a long weekend of readings, talks, panel discussions, a workshop, a poetry slam and some more unusual events such as a literary waterfall walk, a bike ride and a pony trek.

“We think Ōhakune, in the centre of the North Island, is the perfect place to hold a festival. While many people visit during winter for skiing, it’s at its most beautiful in summer. We want to celebrate and learn about the place—its history and people— and about the mountain, Ruapehu.”

Well-known authors will discuss and read their work, and talk about their influences.

Elizabeth Knox will give the Festival Lecture and Sue Orr will take a workshop on writing fiction.

Editors from four of New Zealand’s literary presses will talk about what they look for in new writing.

There will be sessions for children, and students from Ruapehu College and Taumarunui High School will take part.

The festival will bring together critically acclaimed writers with local connections, as well as writers from around the country.

Over 30 established writers will be taking part and their profiles can be viewed on the festival’s website.

Tickets for the festival can be purchased through the website and from Eventfinda.

Early-bird season passes are $90 and individual sessions are $14. Concessions are also available.

The festival is being run on a not-for-profit basis, supplemented by a Boosted crowd funding campaign to be launched in the new year.