Core funded by the Christchurch City Council, the festival also gets grants from Creative New Zealand, the Community Trust, Montana Wines, the Heritage Hotel Christchurch, Newstalk ZB, Starbucks, the Arts Centre of Christchurch, Buddle Findlay and KPMG.

Now in its sixth year, The Press Books and Beyond festival gives people a chance to hear international and national writers talk about their craft and read from their work.

The festival will also bring together editors, publishers, storytellers, critics, politicians, columnists and artists.

This year's line-up includes international writers Thomas Keneally, Alexis Stamatis and Alison Groggan, as well as New Zealand writers Margaret Mahy, Owen Marshall, Stephanie de Montalk, Michael King and C. K. Stead.

The Beyond part of the programme offers a range of events, from writer discussion panels, workshops, poetry readings and the return of the Dark and Stormy Night essay competition.

As well, there are Library activities, a read-aloud series in primary schools, several book launches, exhibitions and other special events.

Full festival programmes will be in the 2 May issue of The Press and will also be available at the Christchurch City Council service centres, the Public Library and the Arts Centre.

For more information about the festival, email festpro@clear.net.nz or call 377 2365. Tickets will be on sale from 2 May at the Arts Centre Visitors Centre, 2 Worcester Boulevard. For credit card phone bookings, call 363 2836.