Among the speakers in Auckland for this week's Writers and Readers Festival are openly-gay writers Peter Wells and Stevan Eldred-Grigg. The Auckland Writers and Readers festival is an opportunity to listen to and question a wide range of top international and local authors on their works, their inspirations and their challenges. Co-founder of the festival, Wells will chair discussions on ‘Bad Dads in Meltdown' and historical fiction. He will also present a photo essay on Frank Sargeson's Takapuna cottage. Eldred-Grigg will speak about historical fiction in a debate titled ‘Stick to the facts why don't you?', and discuss whether NZ writers should set their novels at home in a ‘Kiwis Fly' event. This year's festival also includes talks by visiting UK actor and writer Richard E. Grant, Kiwi favourites Penny Ashton and Jennifer Ward-Lealand, and a ‘Poetry Idol' event, where poets battle it out for cash and bar tabs. The event traditionally takes place every two years, and is visited by approximately 11,000 keen readers. The festival takes place in Auckland's Aotea Centre from 24th to 27th May 2007. Further information and full programme visit the festival website on the link below. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)