Every year, the New Zealand Society of Authors celebrates Courage Day (the New Zealand name for the Day of the Imprisoned Writer). The official day is 15 November, but this year, the Wellington branch of NZSA will observe the day on Monday 16 November.

Courage Day recognises writers who have been imprisoned or oppressed because of their writing and is named after James Courage, a New Zealand novelist and poet. His book, A Way of Love (1959), is regarded as the first published gay novel by a New Zealander and it was banned here.

We are very lucky to have Dr Christopher Burke joining us to talk about James Courage, having studied his life, literary works, journals and correspondence.

Mandy Hager, author and president of the NZSA, will also talk to us about Courage Day and the ’empty chair’ movement.

The meeting is at 6pm at Vic Books Pipitea and all are welcome to attend. There will be a cash bar and we ask for a small contribution towards venue costs if you can.