Naomi Wolf To Replace Glenda Jackson At Festival

Naomi Wolf To Replace Glenda Jackson At Auckland Writers' Festival

US author, feminist and social critic Naomi Wolf is to be the speaker at the Auckland Writers' Festival finale, the Buddle Findlay Sargeson dinner, on Sunday 27th May.

She replaces British actor-turned-politician, Glenda Jackson, who was forced to cancel her appearance after the British general election was postponed due to foot and mouth disease.

"We're delighted to have found a replacement of such stature," says Festival co-founder Stephanie Johnson.

Naomi Wolf's first book The Beauty Myth, which tackles the beauty industry and its effects on women's progress, was published in 14 countries and is an international bestseller.

The New York Times Book Review called her third book, Promiscuities: The Secret Struggle for Womanhood (pub 1997), "a searing and thoroughly fascinating exploration of the complex wildlife of female sexuality and desire."

Misconceptions, her new book on motherhood, will be published in October.

Wolf is also President of the Board of the Woodhull Institute, an organisation set up to cultivate ethical leadership for the 21st century. Its special focus is a fellowship programme to teach professional development in business, law, arts and the media to young women aged between 21 ? 28. She was advisor to US presidential candidate Al Gore on women's issues.

Buddle Findlay's Auckland chairperson, Gerard van Bohemen, welcomed confirmation of Ms Wolf's speaking engagement. "Naomi Wolf's works have contributed much to the debate about the future structure of our society. We look forward to her continuing the tradition of stimulating and forthright speakers at the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Dinner.

"The dinner is a celebration of New Zealand writers' achievements and the vitality of New Zealand writing," says Mr van Bohemen. "Our commitment to fostering that vitality is reflected in the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship, New Zealand's only residential writing fellowship. The fellowship provides New Zealand writers an apartment in The Sargeson Centre in central Auckland and a monthly stipend."

"Naomi Wolf is the latest addition to what was already a star-studded cast this year, and it's reflected in the huge amount of interest and advance bookings we've had," says Stephanie Johnson.

The Festival runs from 25th-27th May and is held at the Hyatt Regency and Old Government House. The other international authors attending include Amy Tan, Jane Smiley, Edward Rutherfurd, David Malouf, Joanne Harris and Mike Davis. There are also 80 New Zealand authors taking part in the more than 40 events held over the three days.

Programmes are available at all good bookshops and libraries, and also at www.akwritersfestival.co.nz. Further information on the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship is at www.buddlefindlay.com.

-ends-

Issued by Professional Public Relations on behalf of the Auckland Writers' Festival

© Scoop Media