Dutch historian Frank Dikotter, based in Hong Kong, has spent year immersed in the horrors to be found within China’s open archives.

Jayne Anne Phillips was first told about Harry Powers when she was a child.

Nicky Pellegrino is delighted by all the quirky characters in this Kiwi novel.

Eleanor Catton correctly picked John Campbell's star sign backstage before stepping out in front of a record-breaking crowd last night at the Auckland Writers Festival.

Danielle Wright talks to the talented folk behind the brand new Family Day at the Auckland Writers Festival.

Five of our most acclaimed writers tell us about the books that changed their lives.

It’s said that the good old days weren’t that great. But if you’re talking about the year 1984, writes Greg Dixon, then the good old days were actually rather good indeed.

In her second short story collection, her first in 15 years, Lorrie Moore peels back life’s outer layer and reveals what lies within.

Writer Elizabeth Knox was yesterday awarded a $100,000 grant to write a memoir based on her experiences of violent death and illness in her family - a timely note to kick off the Auckland Writers Festival.

Writer Sandi Toksvig says that full-body exercise has helped to turn her life around.

An author is set to claim his father is the murderer known as the Zodiac killer - one of the most notorious and still-at-large criminals in the US.

In a Canvas exclusive, Eleanor Catton talks to Professor Jim Al-Khalili about physics, life, the universe and everything.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Colour Purple, Alice Walker, talks to Margie Thomson about the state of American politics, poetry — the lifeblood of rebellion and the richness of a life connected with nature.

Best-selling author Matt Haig, 38, is about to have two more books published. Here, he explains how he only started writing to cope with his sudden, life-threatening depression.

What’s your lucky number? Alex Bellos conducted an online survey and discovered a hot favourite: people find the number 7 clever, cheery and divine.

Author Shonagh Koea tells Rebecca Barry Hill why she doesn’t stick to the rules.

"Donny Mac was released at Easter time, about a month before Pansy Holloway, also known as Nightshade, disappeared for good."

Scottish writer Irvine Welsh, now based in Miami, is fascinated by Americans’ eating habits, he tells Stephen Jewell.

One of the most successful authors in British history, with legions of fans and millions of pounds to her name is not immune to pressure.

The sniper is on a roof-top opposite a playground. He has a child in his cross-hairs.

The moment that Mary Quin thought she would die was in a gunfight with an AK-47 jammed into her spine.

Condemnation of Kim Dotcom's possession of a signed copy of Mein Kampf has been ridiculous, writes Sir Bob Jones.