An Evening with Catherine Chidgey at the New Zealand High Commission

FANZA was delighted to partner with the New Zealand High Commission in London to celebrate the UK launch of The Book of Guilt, the ninth novel by award-winning New Zealand author Catherine Chidgey.

The evening, held at the High Commission in Haymarket, brought together a mix of writers, readers, publishers and arts supporters for a thoughtful, inspiring and fun conversation between Chidgey and FANZA co-chair Mary Fenwick. Chidgey spoke candidly about the creative process behind her latest novel - a dystopian tale centred on three closely monitored boys in a sinister children’s home - as well as how she manages to hit her 400-word target every day... while juggling her role as a full-time university lecturer and life at home!

Among the crowd cheering her on were fellow writers Eleanor Catton (Booker Prize-winning author of The Luminaries), Susie Boyt (Loved and Missed), and Nussaibah Younis (Fundamentally), alongside New Zealand-born portrait artist Sarah Jane Moon.

Guests enjoyed delicious New Zealand wine and refreshments as well as a chance to get their copy of Chidgey's new novel signed after the Q&A.

FANZA extends our thanks to Acting High Commissioner David Evans for co-hosting such a memorable evening.

Chidgey also travelled to Edinburgh International Book Festival this month, supported by British Council NZ Pacific. Her appearances included a writing workshop on crafting authentic child narrators, and two panel events exploring surveillance, dystopia, and freedom of expression.

Visit our Instagram to see more images from the night.