Best First Book: Mohammad Hanif – A case of exploding mangoes.
Hanif paid thanks to Jill Rawnsley, festival director. Hanif said his son even stopped playing PSP for a minute!
Dedicated award to Dept of Immigration and Customs – he was delayed by them for two hours. Apparently they wouldn’t let his son (or someone in the group) go to the toilet.
He ended his speech by saying: Thank you very much I’ll now go and pee!
Best Book: Christos Tsiolkas The Slap.
He said: Great pride to be in the company of other fantastic and brilliant writers and comrades and generous people. There is no competition in art. I can’t believe I’m gonna meet the Queen and my mum said I have to ask for the Parthenon marbles back.
Vanda Symon is our guest on the wrap up tonight – to be recorded at the Aotea Centre.
It is unbelievable what our Customs – Border people did.
John Campbell very sincerely apologised