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 | Libby Wong: a Hong Kong original -- Elizabeth Wong Chien Chi Lien, better known as Libby Wong, has a personal story as thrilling as the tale in her novel. She rose to fame as a government official, then entered politics as a huge success, and more recently became a novelist.
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| 5:30pm | University of Hong Kong, Loke Yew Hall, Main Building | HK$FULL HOUSE - NO SEATS AVAILABLE | event code: 06C |
 | FULL HOUSE - NO SEATS AVAILABLE Pen Work, Field Work, Dream Work: A Reading with Commentary -- In this presentation, Seamus Heaney will read poems from different periods of his work over the last forty years. Beginning with the first poem in his first book and ending with the last one in his new volume, District and Circle, due out this year, the poet will trace his preoccupations and imaginative procedures over the years. Born in Northern Ireland, heir to a native Irish tradition yet formed by an education in English literature, Heaney will consider some of the ways in which his writing registered 'the music of what happened' in himself, his country and the world.
Please note Seamus Heaney will not be signing books at this event. There will be a very limited number of signed copies of his books at the Festival bookshop on the night.
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Opening Night Drinks -- Join us for drinks at the Fringe Club, as we open the 2006 Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival. Cash bar.
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 | SCMP China's New Iconoclasts -- In a remarkable double bill, two of the most talked-about authors from China's mainland reveal how they made their names. Ma Jian and Mian Mian talk about their amazing-and controversial-journeys to literary success. Moderated by Paul French and Peter Gordon.
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 | Chasing a Ghost -- Journalist Mishi Saran talks about her offbeat new book in which she retraces the footsteps of a 7th century Chinese monk who made an epic 10,000 mile trip - and walked right into the history books.
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 | Literary Lunch: Island of Dreams -- Two acclaimed authors linked by an interest in Ireland reveal the magic of writing about a remarkable place. Marie Heaney wrote two highly praised books of ancient Irish stories, and award-winning novelist Charles Foran introduces his astonishing new book based on a true story from 18th century Ireland. Ticket includes a light lunch served from 12:30-1:00pm.
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 | The Craft of Writing: Personal Histories -- Doris Pilkington, whose Aboriginal name is Garimara, shot to fame with her memoir Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence. In this session, she demonstrates how to turn family history into enduring literature. Moderated by Jane Camens.
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 | From Youth to Experience -- This unmissable double bill starts with two of the world's hottest short story writers, Nell Freudenberger and Rattawut Lapcharoensap, both of whom are scoring big at a young age. Then legendary poet Seamus Heaney, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, will talk about his work in conversation with top Canadian novelist Charles Foran.
Please note Seamus Heaney will not be signing books at this event. There will be a very limited number of signed copies of his books available at the Festival bookshop on the night.
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 | Financial Times Inside North Korea - Seminar and Breakfast -- North Korea is believed by many to be the time-bomb that will determine the future peace and prosperity of East Asia. Join three leading non-fiction authors as they talk about political and economic developments in that bizarre land. Moderated by Richard McGregor, FT Beijing Bureau Chief. 8:00am breakfast; 8:30am talk starts.
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| 3:00pm | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Tin Ka Ping Hall, University Centre | free | event code: 08C |
 | Mutants: On the Form, Varieties and Errors of the Human Body -- Award-winning author and scientist Armand Marie Leroi argues that there is no such thing as genetic perfection and each of us carries hundreds of mutations, and looks at how the human body works around - and hides - these misprints in our DNA. He will take us on a fascinating and bizarre journey of genetic mutation and irregularity, with this amazing exploration of the human form in all its beautiful and unique guises.
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 | SOLD OUT Half the Sky: A Celebration of Women's Writing from Around the World -- Enjoy afternoon tea at the China Club with top women writers from around the globe: Irish writer Marie Heaney, Chinese-American Gish Jen, Indigenous Australian Doris Pilkington; young American Nell Freudenberger, and Filipina poet Marjorie Evasco. Moderated by Rosemary Sayer, Festival Director and author of a biography of Sir Gordon Wu. Ticket includes afternoon tea.
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 | A Taste for the Bizarre -- Armand Leroi's incredible stories about a convent girl who changed sex when she reached puberty, children with a Cyclops eye, and a hair-covered family seem like the wildest fiction. What is truly astonishing is that they are all true. This is science writing like you've never seen before.
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 | Rhyme Across Time: Contemporary poets interpret universal themes -- Enjoy the poetry of Maya Angelou, Seamus Heaney, Pablo Neruda, Rumi and Wislava Szymborska on; Freedom, Home and Family, Love, Mind and Spirit and War, read by local poets Andy Barker, Sally Dellow, Sayed Gouda, Viki Holmes, Alan Jefferies and David McKirdy. These themes will be interpreted by featured poets Martin Alexander, Karen Connelly, Marjorie Evasco and Krip Yuson. Moderated by David McKirdy, Festival Director and author of Accidental Occidental.
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 | Australian Consulate General Faces of the Lucky Country -- Two equally fascinating yet very different authors represent the great southern continent: Brian Castro was born in Hong Kong of Portuguese, Chinese and English parentage, but has become a literary star in Australia. Doris Pilkington is the indigenous Australian who wrote Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence. Moderated by Tim Cribb, SCMP book reviewer.
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 | Lunch with Elena Poniatowska -- A special literary lunch with Elena Poniatowska, one of Mexico's most celebrated writers and journalists and the Festival's first Mexican writer. Elena Poniatowska is the first woman to win the Mexican National Award for Journalism. She has written more than 50 books, including Frida Kahlo: The Camera Seduced, Dear Diego, Massacre in Mexico, Nothing, Nothing, Nobody: The Voices of the Earthquake, and The Skin of the Sky, which won the Alfaguara Prize in 2001.
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| 2:00pm | University of Hong Kong, Theatre T6 of the Meng Wah Complex | free | event code: 09B |
 | The Craft of Writing: Creating Asian Characters for Asian Readers -- Join top writers Rattawut Lapcharoensap and Robert Elegant for a discussion on the challenges of crossing cultures in creating literature. How should people of different backgrounds write about Asia? Chaired by Peter Gordon, editor of The Asian Review of Books.
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| 5:30pm | University of Hong Kong, Main Building Room 113G | free | event code: 09D |
| 'Fusion Fiction' and the Hybrid Writer -- 'Fusion Fiction' and the Hybrid Writer, with Brian Castro (Shanghai Dancing, The Garden Book), moderated by Jane Camens. A discussion of Castro’s work and the way it crosses cultures, the author’s “obsession” with language(s), polyphonic perspectives, and the difficulties publishers have with work that does not fit immediately into comfortable, recognisable genres. We look also at the need to translate writers from different cultures and touch on the part letter-writing plays in desire and love in Castro's novels.
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| Consulate General of Mexico Autores al atardecer (In Spanish) -- Dos autores de lengua española, hablarán de sus obras, vidas, y fuerza creadora: José Carlos Somoza, escritor español nacido en La Habana, Cuba, ganador del premio Café Gijón por ' La ventana pintada' y el premio Fernando Lara por ' Clara y la penumbra'; y Elena Poniatowska Amor, autora mexicana de más de 50 libros, Premio Literario Xavier Villarrutia, México 1971, Premio Nacional de Periodismo México 1979 y galardonada por el Gobierno francés con la Legión de Honor en el 2003. (Sesión conducida en castellano.) This session is in Spanish.
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| Australian Consulate General From Page to Screen: Rabbit Proof Fence - Film Showing and Meet the Author session -- Join us for a very special showing of the award-winning Australian film Rabbit Proof Fence based upon the book Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence. Then have the unique opportunity to meet Doris Pilkington, the author of this incredible true story, who will take questions from the audience. This is the powerful and stirring true story of three little girls, snatched from their mothers' arms and taken by the authorities, who make a daring escape, with their only hope to find the rabbit-proof fence and make the 1,500 miles that might just guide them home. SOLD OUT
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 | SCMP Making History -- Award-winning travel-writer turned novelist Pico Iyer, author of the seminal Video Nights in Kathmandu talks with Nury Vittachi about his recent books, Abandon and Sun After Dark. Intelligent, wry and funny, Pico is always a delight. In the other half of this double-header, two successful exponents of historical fiction, Kunal Basu and Robert Elegant, talk with Paul French about how they craft their highly successful books.
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 | RTHK Literary Lunch: Hong Kong Makes its Mark -- RTHK presenter Sarah Passmore talks with former LegCo member Libby Wong, former regional journalist Eric Stone and former newscaster Peter Maize, about their new novels, all inspired by living and working in Hong Kong and the region. From Tiananmen to the Handover and Russian prostitution and organised crime in Macau -- these authors share the stories of our city. Ticket includes a light lunch served from 12:30-1:00pm.
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 | The Asian Blockbuster -- Robert Elegant is famed for his blockbuster novels, including Dynasty, Manchu and Mandarin. His latest work Cry Peace, about prison camps on a Korean island, is his tenth novel and 19th published book.
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 | The Craft of Writing: Creating Asian children's stories -- Join Minfong Ho, a top author of children's books set in Asia. She grew up with mixed heritages, but is now based in the United States. Her books have won several awards including the Caldecott Honor and the ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
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 | The Craft of Writing: The Non-Fiction Bestseller -- Learn how to make non-fiction as gripping as any novel with Mike Dash, one of Britain's most celebrated writers of popular history. Mike's books include Tulipomania, Batavia's Graveyard and more recently Thug, a book about the professional murderers of India.
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THE ASIA LITERARY REVIEW launch -- Dimsum, the story and poetry journal which has published new work from such luminaries as Thomas Keneally, Maxine Hong Kingston and David Mitchell, is being relaunched as The Asia Literary Review. Come and join authors and poets who will be toasting the new journal.
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 | New Frontiers in Writing -- This double-bill explores exciting new directions in literature. Jose Carlos Samoza is the Spanish author whose dazzling, multi-layered literary crime stories are now available in English. He chats with Martin Alexander, Hong Kong poet and author of Clearing Ground.Tom Standage, technology editor at The Economist, is the author of four fabulous non-fiction works, join him for this talk on The History of the World in Six Glasses.
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| 8:00pm | The Edge, G/FL The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central | HK$100 | event code: 10K |
IMPRINT Launch Party -- The Hong Kong Women in Publishing Society holds their 5th annual launch party for the release of its yearly anthology Imprint. Readings, light entertainment, and fabulous networking over light snacks and drinks will be the order of the day as we celebrate the talent of some of Hong Kong's finest wordsmiths and publishing professionals. The ticket includes a light buffet and a copy of Imprint.
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 | China on the World Stage -- Su Tong is one of the most exciting of the young Chinese authors whose work is being published internationally. He wrote Raise the Red Lantern, which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Gong Li. His other works include Rice and My Life as Emperor. Moderated by Peter Gordon
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| 10:30am | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, LT-C, Academic Concourse | free | event code: 11C |
 | The Real Digital Divide -- How developing countries can most effectively benefit from information technology has been controversial - is the access to personal computers the most crucial? Tom Standage, renowned writer on science and technology, argues that developing countries will not necessarily follow the same path as the developed world and looks at what kind of IT could close the "digital divide".
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 | The Asia Pacific New Writing Partnership / CAL Making Waves in Asian Literature: Double Bill -- Asian authors are causing a stir. This double bill starts with Tarun Tejpal, the iconoclastic Indian journalist, talking about his novel, The Alchemy of Desire with Daniel Watts. In part two we focus on new writing from southeast Asia, with Jane Camens in conversation with Filipino poet-author Krip Yuson, taboo-busting Indonesia author Ayu Utami and new novelist Chris Tao, whose work spans Hong Kong and the Himalayas.
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 | Burma: Locked in Time -- Beautiful, mysterious Burma is failing to flourish because of deep-rooted political tension and power struggles. See under the skin of the fascinating country with the help of Emma Larkin, a journalist who specializes in writing about the country, and Karen Connelly, a Canadian poet and author who has just written her first novel, The Lizard Cage, which is set in Burma. Moderated by Lin Neumann.
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 | The Next "Da Vinci Code" -- The incredible success of The Da Vinci Code showed that popular thrillers are still the killer mega-genre. How do you write a good suspense book? Join mystery writers Eric Stone, Colin Cotterill and Chris Tao in a session chaired by Nury Vittachi.
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 | When Truth is Stranger Than Fiction-And Sells Better -- Join two of Britain's leading historical non-fiction writers as they share what it takes to create page turning non-fiction from the amazing true events of history. Mike Dash is the bestselling author of Tulipomania and Batavia's Graveyard and Tom Standage of The Economist magazine is the author of The History of the World in Six Glasses, and The Victorian Internet. They will be joined by local historian and writer Nigel Collett, author of the acclaimed The Butcher of Amritsar to help direct the discussion.
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 | I'm Coming to Take You to Lunch -- Simon Napier Bell, one of the legendary figures of the British music industry, was the person who introduced the East to Western pop music by getting Wham! into China. The resulting concert was essentially the most famous pop concert since the seventies. He talks about his involvement with top acts such as Wham!, Marc Bolan and the Yardbirds and also his popular books on the music business with RTHK's Phil Whelan. Join Simon and Phil for a drink and music in the Fringe Bar from 6pm (Cash bar).
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| 6:00pm | Private room at DotCod, Prince's Building, Central | free | event code: 11U |
A Drink with Blonde Lotus -- Drop in for a drink and a chat with Hong Kong author Cecilie Gamst Berg, who will read from her new novel, BLONDE LOTUS. Chosen by RTHK Radio 3 as its "Book of the Month", this humour novel is set in China and Hong Kong. Sex and philosophy have never intersected with such energy. So steamy the author's mother was not allowed to read it!
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 | Peregrinations: Canadian Writing from Around the Globe -- Canada has a fine reputation for producing great writers. Starting with a with a reception to celebrate the release of three new books by Canadians living in Hong Kong -- Bill Purves, Wes Stevens and Karmel Schreyer -- the session continues with a discussion between Charles Foran, former HK resident and award-winning author of literary fiction and non-fiction; Karen Connelly, popular poet and non-fiction author who has just launched Lizard Cage, her debut novel on Burma; and Wes Stevens, a Canadian author based in Hong Kong who has just completed A-R-C-H-I-P-E-L-A-G-O, his first book of short stories. Moderated by SCMP book reviewer Tim Cribb. Drinks at 7:00pm; talk at 7:30pm.
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| Tulipomania: Mike Dash -- Join the best-selling British author, Mike Dash, known for his wonderful works of historical non-fiction as he shares the true story of Tulipomania, the first great stock market boom in history. He will take us to 1630s Netherlands where rare tulip bulbs changed hands for incredible and ever-increasing sums, until single flowers were being sold for more than the cost of a house. A fascinating parallel to the frenzy over internet companies.
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 | Poetry: Open Mike -- A lively and entertaining evening of contemporary poetry from published and unpublished poets; always great fun.
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 | SOLD OUT Building Cities With Words: Champagne Brunch -- Hear two exciting authors known for their cross-cultural expertise. Pico Iyer is considered one of world's greatest travel-writers, penning stories from as far afield as Bhutan and North Korea. Suketu Mehta's first book won the Kiriyama Prize, and was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize. Champagne brunch from 10:30am; talk from 11am.
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 | Road Warriors -- Three writers known for crossing difficult geographical and cultural boundaries share their experiences. Canadian writer Karen Connelly has a special interest in Thailand and Burma, journalist Mishi Saran focuses on China and India, and Hong Kong writer Bill Purves is a much-travelled seaman-turned-writer. Moderated by Peter Maize, Hong Kong author of Zoom Out.
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 | The Literature of Displacement -- Novelist Gish Jen has become a darling of the US critics with her penetrating analyses of people coping with modern life in the West. Shirley Lim, who won an award for her memoir, is now launching her second novel, about Malaysians in America. The two writers will be interviewed by David McKirdy, Festival Director and author of Accidental Occidental
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 | Post-Millennial Reportage -- Top journalists from around the world identify breakthrough trends in modern heavyweight journalism. Featuring India's Tarun Tejpal, Mexico's Elena Poniatowska, Indonesia's Ayu Utami, former editor of Time Asia and Karl Taro Greenfeld. Moderated by RTHK's Francis Moriarty.
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 | Family Matters -- Visiting and local authors share readings on the theme of families at a special literary event at the cathedral. Featuring Gillian Bickley, Sayed Gouda, David McKirdy, Rosemary Sayer, Karmel Schreyer and Elsie Tu. Hosted by Rev. Matthew Vernon.
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 | The Power of Words -- Tarun Tejpal founded Tehelka.com, a corruption-fighting Indian website. He co-founded IndiaInk, the first company to publisher Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things, and his first novel, The Alchemy of Desire, was described by V.S. Naipaul as "brilliantly original".
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| A Writer's Curiosity of the World -- Su Tong takes a look at the way curiosity affects the creative process, both extending and growing it, analysing how curiosity becomes the origin of the creative process. Su Tong talks about his own childhood and his own curiosity, and how this childhood view of the world has resulted in an imaginary world, which has affected his writing. He explains how this imaginary world comes into his fiction world and argues for the importance of continuing this curiosity, and the effect this has on leading one's life and creativity. This session is in Putonghua
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 | The Man Booker Prize Distinguished Lecture: Fiction and the Dream -- His profoundly moving, beautifully crafted prose has led to Banville being heralded as 'a master at the top of his game' and 'one of the great fictional stylists of our time'. Hear John Banville, winner of the 2005 Man Booker Prize for his novel The Sea, as he shares his reflections on the power and unique language of fiction. There will be a book-signing and reception following the lecture.
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| 7:30pm | Hong Kong University, Main Building, Room 218, Convocation Room | free | event code: 13E |
 | SOLD OUT Asia Society Maximum City - Bombay Lost and Found -- Suketu Mehta's first book, Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found won the Kiriyama Prize, and was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize. Salman Rushdie called this, the best book yet written about that great, ruined metropolis. Join the author as he shares his passion for this incredible city, and reveals it's multiple personalities and the passions and secrets of this throbbing megalopolis.
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Book Launch: Thomas Beckham Wang and other stories -- If you’re fed up reading about kids playing baseball, carving pumpkins or playing in the snow, then crack open this collection of Asian stories about friends, magic, school and growing up.Aimed at young teenagers, Thomas Beckham Wang and other stories features stories by Sam Jam, Tony Lee, Laura Ros, Christine Morgan, Eva Ng, Nirmala Nagarajan, Shane Sakhrani, Arlene Brenda Siagian, Ellen McNally, Maxine Shaw and Ruchita Malhotra. Proceeds go to Friends Unlimited, a charity which supports underprivileged Hong Kong children.
Join Nury Vittachi, the writers and Lorette Roberts. Prints of Shaoxing, the original watercolour by Lorette Roberts featured on the book cover, will be on sale at the event together with the book. In case of inclement weather, the venue will be changed to the Lobby Lounge.
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Getting Published From and in Asia -- Publishers and agents discuss the business behind getting published: how decisions are made, how the industry works and how it affects you as an author. Peter Gordon (Chameleon Press) moderates a panel with Colin Day (Hong Kong University Press), Marysia Juszczakiewicz (Creative Work), Jo Lusby (Penguin China) and Daniel Watts (Pan Macmillan Asia). Breakfast starts 8am; Talk at 8:30am.
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 | China Syndrome: The Killer Virus that Crashed the Middle Kingdom -- Well known journalist, and former Editor of Time Asia, Karl Taro Greenfeld is in Hong Kong to launch his new book China Syndrome: The Killer Virus that Crashed the Middle Kingdom, his unique ground zero perspective on SARS — and the most egregious factor in the disease's spread: the silence from and outright suppression of information by the government during the earliest stages of the epidemic.
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| SOLD OUT Man Investments The Art and Science of Haunting Literature -- John Banville, who has just scooped the Man Booker Prize, is one of the most talked about names in writing today. The writer of serious, haunting compositions, often about history and/ or scientists, talks about his unique contribution to modern literature. In conversation with top Canadian novelist Charles Foran. This event includes a champagne reception and a signed copy of The Sea, available on the night. Reception starts at 6:30pm; talk at 7pm.
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| 4:30pm | Chinese International School, Secondary Library, I Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill | HK$150 | event code: 15A |
Paddyfield Storytelling workshop -- International storyteller, Margaret Read MacDonald, teams with the extraordinary Jewish teller, Gerald Fierst, to offer a storytelling workshop for educators. Participants will leave with six new tales ready-to-tell! Plan a spot to share stories with your children in the days following this workshop.
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| 12:45pm | Foreign Correspondents' Club, Verandah Room | free | event code: 15C |
Civic Exchange The Rise of Hong Kong Politics: The view through political cartoons -- What do political cartoons tell us about the changing political consciousness of Hong Kong people? Spanning from the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration to the end of Tung Chee Hwa's administraton under the new Special Administrative Region, this book explores how the rise of political cartoons paralleled the emergence of a purely local brand of politics.
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