A Lioness of Literature: Talking Books with Emily Perkins

Join us to hear award-winning writer Emily Perkins talk about the books that have shaped her life and her writing at a special fundraising event for Katherine Mansfield House & Garden.

As well as writing fiction and for the stage and screen, Emily has long been a champion of reading. From 2009 to 2012 she hosted TVNZ’s 'The Good Word', a series about “books and the people who love them.” She is an experienced teacher of creative writing and chair of literary festival events. Her most recent novel, 'Lioness', has received widespread acclaim and won the 2024 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction. But what did young Emily love to read? Is there a book or writer that changed her life? Any guilty reading pleasures?

The evening will begin with a glass of Hunter’s Wines’ award-winning MiruMiru™ and delicious canapés. A non-alcoholic option will also be available. Beloved local bookshop Marsden Books will be onsite selling copies of Emily's books, which Emily will be available to sign at the end of the event.

This event is being held to raise funds for our Category 1 Historic Place and writer’s museum in Thorndon, which is open six days a week. We offer an annual programme of events and activities designed to encourage creativity and we host school and tour groups to share the life, literature and legacy of Katherine Mansfield.

If you're not able to attend but would still like to support our fundraising efforts, we welcome donations of any amount. Donations can be made via our website.