Fifty-Fifty Launch Party. In a new anthology from Haven Books, more than 40 talented writers and poets respond to the question posed by editor Xu Xi: What are Hong Kong's odds as it counts down 50 years? 5pm, Fringe Club Rooftop, free

Opening Night Drinks at the Fringe 6pm, Fringe Club Rooftop, free

Politics and the Pen Pakistani writer and journalist Fatima Bhutto discusses the complexities

of writing during wartime and national catastrophe. She's a member of the Bhutto family which has

been deeply involved in Pakistan's politics over the past three decades. 7pm, The Fringe Studio, HK$120.

March 3

Fatima Bhutto: In the Eye of the Storm. The journalist for Pakistan's The News and Jang talks about her work, politics and life. 12.30pm, the Foreign Correspondents' Club, HK$180

Unlocking the Writer in You Best-selling novelist Marina Lewycka hosts a series of fun exercises for up to 15 participants to work through some essential areas of fiction writing. 2pm, The Fringe Club, Room B, HK$500

The Solitude of Emperors Author of the international bestseller The House of Blue Mangoes, David Davidar, talks with Nigel Collett about his most recent novel about modern India. Ticket price includes champagne and a signed copy of The Solitude of Emperors. Sponsored by David Tang. 5.30pm, The China Club, HK$500

Redemption Tan Twan Eng, author of The Gift of Rain, and Patrick Gale, of Notes From an Exhibition, discuss with Rosemary Sayer their main characters' agonising conflicts. 8pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

March 4

M Literary Lunch: Patrick Gale and Marina Lewycka Gale, author of Notes from an Exhibition, and Lewycka, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, discuss with Nigel Collett their novels and how their lives shaped their works. A fundraiser for the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival sponsored by M at the Fringe. Noon, M at the Fringe, HK$480 (Sold out)

The Next Generation: Writing for Young People Writing with humour for young people is Philip Ardagh's forte. He presents this workshop to give aspiring writers tools to understand the dynamic area of writing and publishing. 4pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$120

Memory and Redemption Tan Twan Eng, based on his novel, The Gift of Rain, talks about divided loyalties, unbearable loss and the nature of enduring love. He also discusses how memory can both help and hinder redemption. 5pm, University of Hong Kong, Rayson Huang Theatre, free

WiPS Presents IMPRINT 2008 Launch Party IMPRINT is the annual anthology of the Women in Publishing Society of Hong Kong. Nibbles and open bar until 8.30pm. Ticket price includes a copy of IMPRINT 2008. 6.30pm, dragon-i, The Centrium, HK$150

Chapati and Chutney Evening Book signing at Bookazine. Meet David Davidar and the Indian Spice Girls: Priya Basil and Manreet Sodhi Someshwar, for good conversation and Indian snacks and drinks. 6.30pm, Bookazine, Oterprise Square, Tsim Sha Tsui, free

Asia Society Presents Desperately Seeking Paradise What do Star Trek, orientalism and America's fear of Japan have in common? Everything, says Ziauddin Sardar, in conversation with Mark Clifford. Drinks hosted by Asia Society from 7.30pm for HK$50 at the door. 8pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$120 (Sold out)

March 5

Other Ways of Being Human Breakfast with Ziauddin Sardar, author of Readers: Islam, Postmodernism and Other Futures: A Ziauddin Sardar Reader and How Do You Know: Reading Ziauddin Sardar on Islam, Science and Cultural Relations, and hear personal and amazing family stories as he talks about diversity. 8am, the Foreign Correspondents' Club, HK$95

Uganda to the Ukraine How does a sense of place affect one's work? Priya Basil, the author of Ishq and Mushq, grew up in Uganda. Marina Lewycka, author of Two Caravans, was born to Ukrainian parents in a refugee camp. Manreet Sodhi Someshwar wrote her novel after her time selling soap in 45-degree heat in central India. Their unique backgrounds set the scenes and shape the characters in their novels. Moderated by Marysia Juszczakiewicz. Coffee and tea from 9am to 9.30am, The Helena May, Blue Room, HK$120 (Sold out)

Spotlight on India Focus on Indian food and literature. Begin with a delicious buffet lunch at Bombay Dreams and then hear David Davidar and Priya Basil talk about contemporary Indian literature in conversation with Manreet Sodhi Someshwar. 12.30pm, Bombay Dreams, HK$250

Japan Society Presents Contemporary Japanese Writing Award-winning writer Mitsuyo Kakuta will talk about the new generation of contemporary Japanese writing with Alexandra Harney. This session will be in Japanese. 1pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Creative Non-Fiction with Christopher Kremmer Join this award-winning author for a workshop that explores one of the most popular publishing genres of the moment. Limited to 15 participants. 2pm, The Fringe Club, Room B, HK$650

Book Launch Renditions invites you to come and celebrate the launch of a landmark collection: To Pierce the Material Screen: An Anthology of 20th-Century Hong Kong Literature. This anthology spans 75 years and features more than 110 local works. Authors and translators will give bilingual readings at the party. 5.30pm, The Fringe Club, Downstairs Bar, free

Royal Geographical Society Presents Colin Thubron: Shadow of the Silk Road Award-winning travel writer and novelist Thubron discusses his latest travel book containing accounts of his journey along the route of the Silk Road. Drinks at 6.30pm and dinner at 7pm. 6.30pm, The Hong Kong Football Club, HK$550

The Big Read Listen to five great authors read passages from their works: David Davidar, Patrick Gale, Mitsuyo Kakuta, Christopher Kremmer and Madeleine Thien in conversation with Ilyas Khan. 7.30pm, the Central Library, HK$150

OutLoud Hong Kong's monthly poetry readings coincide with the festival this year and it invites you to the launch of two new books of poetry and the festival debut of a third: Painting the Borrowed House by Kate Rogers, miss moon's class by Viki Holmes, and Sightings by Gillian Bickley. 8pm, The Fringe Club, free

March 6

Inhaling the Mahatma Christopher Kremmer, internationally acclaimed writer of enthralling narratives, discusses his latest book which explores Asia's tumultuous journey from tradition towards modernity. 12.30pm, the Foreign Correspondents' Club, HK$180

The International Herald Tribune Presents Islam, Asia and the Modern World: Politics and Culture Inaugurating a new series of in-depth sessions, award-winning political columnist Roger Cohen leads Fatima Bhutto, Linda Christanty, Isa Kamari and Ziauddin Sardar through a series of thought-provoking panel discussions on Islam in the modern world and the role of East Asia in Islam's future. Cocktails will be served after the event. 3.30pm, the Foreign Correspondents' Club, HK$220

RTHK presents Literary Reconciliation Priya Basil's main character stifles unwanted memories that torment her and Gail Jones's novel laments lost opportunities. Moderator: Sarah Passmore. Afternoon tea included. 3.30pm, The Helena May, Garden Room, HK$220

Lives Revealed Writing often comes from experience. Biographer Laura Tyson Li leads you through a series of exercises that help you discover how to craft real events into stories, fashion memories into scenes, shape characters and create a strong and compelling narrative. 4pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$120

Being a Writer in Japan Mitsuyo Kakuta talks about her career, Japan's publishing industry and trends in contemporary Japanese fiction. This talk will be in Japanese. 4pm, The Convocation Room, Main Building, The University of Hong Kong, free (Fully booked)

Wanderlust Award-winning travel writer and novelist Colin Thubron and Christopher Kremmer, one of Australia's most respected and popular writers of non-fiction, will talk about their work with South China Morning Post's Stephen McCarty. Champagne and canapes included. This event is a fundraiser for the festival sponsored by M at the Fringe and Richard Paine, Fine Vintages. 5pm, M at the Fringe, HK$420

Creative Work Presents Betrayal Yan Geling and Tan Twan Eng talk with Sarah Passmore about the racial tensions in their historical stories. The Lost Daughter of Happiness is a heartbreaking account of a Chinese prostitute's life during San Francisco's Gold Rush era. The Gift of Rain is set in 1939 and is a sad tale of betrayal and friendship as the Japanese invade Malaya. 7.30pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Poetry Roundtable Featuring Andrew Barker, Sally Dellow, Sayed Gouda, Viki Holmes, Isa Kamari, David McKirdy, Ng Yi-sheng and Cai Tianxin, and moderated by local poet Martin Alexander. 8pm, Joyce is Not Here, 38-44 Peel Street, Central, free

March 7

The International Herald Tribune and the Centre on China's Transnational Relations present Struggling Giant: China into the Future International Herald Tribune columnist Howard French hosts experts Kerry Brown (Struggling Giant: China in the 21st Century), Duncan Hewitt (Getting Rich First: Life in a Changing China) and Michael Enright and W. John Hoffman (co-editors of China Into the Future: Making Sense of the World's Most Dynamic Economy). 9am, The Penthouse, Orient Overseas Container Line, 33/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, free (Fully booked)

Freedoms and Dangers of Writing in Indonesia Linda Christanty discusses the freedom and dangers of writing creatively in the constraints of this emerging democracy. 12.30pm, the Foreign Correspondents' Club, HK$180

It Didn't Happen That Way Do writers of historical fiction have a responsibility to be historically accurate, or can art triumph over fact? Priya Basil, Alon Hilu and Gail Jones debate these issues with Xu Xi. 12.30pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Writers Honour International Women's Day - An afternoon tea event in celebration of International Women's Day hosted by The China Club and with leading women writers from around the world: Gail Jones, Manreet Sodhi Someshwar and Yan Geling. Moderated by Deborah Kan. 3.30pm, The China Club, HK$250

Blown to Bits: Peril and Promise of the Digital Explosion Harry Lewis, a professor of computer science at Harvard for more than 30 years, will discuss the struggle to adjust, socially and legally, to a world in which mass data storage and fast data processing have shattered long-standing presumptions about who can know what. 4pm, Lee Wing Tat Lecture Theater, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, free

Bow Your Head Only to the Highest Mountain: Writing Maori Culture Into Existence Witi Ihimaera, New Zealand novelist and author of The Whale Rider, gives a personal perspective on the contemporary Maori writing tradition. 5pm, The University of Hong Kong, MG07, Main Building, free (Fully booked)

The Royal Asiatic Society presents Dragon Lady or China's Joan of Arc? Laura Tyson Li discusses Madame Chiang Kai-shek's complex persona and disputed legacy. There will be a cash bar from 6pm-6.30pm. 6pm, The Helena May, Garden Room, HK$70 (HK$50 for members of the Royal Asiatic Society)

Random House Literary Fiesta Book signing at Bookazine. Join Random House authors Alon Hilu, Gail Jones, John Man and Duncan Hewitt, for a glass of wine. 6.30pm, Bookazine, Prince's Building, Central, free

Rhyme Across Time 'To have great poets there must be great audiences too.' - Walt Whitman. Experience the poetry of Sylvia Plath, Kit Wright, Caroline Kiser, William Blake and Ted Hughes on: beginnings, home, love, spirit and endings as read by local poets Martin Alexander, Andrew Barker, Sally Dellow, Jason Lee and Madeleine Marie Slavick. Featured poets Viki Holmes, Isa Kamari, Ng Yi-sheng and Cai Tianxin interpret these topics in their own distinctive voices. Moderated by David McKirdy. 7pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Heavenly Pleasures, Earthly Delights 'Good friends, good books: this is the ideal life.' - Mark Twain. Four international authors will be paired with a different wine for each course of the dinner. They are Philip Ardagh, Patrick Gale, Madeleine Thien, and Justin Hill, who likens writing books to ex-lovers. Moderated by Kim Murphy and Rosemary Sayer. Wine contributed by Kedington Wines and The Wine Institute of Asia. 7pm, Top Deck, HK$800

March 8

Storytelling Workshop Set your imagination on fire. Rosemarie Somaiah will teach the craft of storytelling to parents and educators. 9am, The Central Library, HK$60

The Silk Road End to End, Part One: Destinations Along the Silk Road Journey across the page with Rob Gifford, John Man and Colin Thubron as they share travellers' tales. In conversation with Justin Hill. 9.30am, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Word Wrap: A Poetry Workshop Relearn how to love poetry. Lynn Yau will present different ways to teach poetry by leading you through a series of exercises designed to interest children while developing their speaking skills. 10.30am, The Central Library, HK$60

The Silk Road End to End, Part Two: Jewish Histories from Iraq and Syria Marina Benjamin's latest book, Last Days in Babylon: The Story of the Jews of Baghdad, is about the exile of the Iraqi Jews. Alon Hilu's novel, Death of a Monk, is based on a historical blood libel against the Jews in Damascus, Syria. In conversation with Justin Hill. 11am, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

The South China Morning Post Presents Short and Sweet: The Art of the Short Story Featuring Yiyun Li, Gail Jones and Madeleine Thien. They discuss their art with Xu Xi. 12.30pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

In Transit Marina Benjamin grew up in London feeling estranged from her family's exotic Middle Eastern ways; and Zhang Lijia worked in a rocket factory for 10 years before moving to Britain to study journalism. They share the experience of having left the cultures that shaped them. Moderated by David McKirdy. 2pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Labels: Gay Literature See page 3. 2pm, The Fringe Studio, HK$90

British Council Presents The Absurdities of Life Philip Ardagh will discuss how to make reading a joy for children. 3pm, British Council, HK$120

Chinese History: From the Terracotta Army to the Dragon Lady This double bill begins in 200BC and jumps to the 20th century. John Man tells the remarkable story of the creation of the Terracotta Army and Laura Tyson Li will present a talk and slides on Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Afternoon tea will be served. Event sponsored by Crown Wine Cellars. 3pm, Crown Wine Cellars, HK$220

Writing Out of the Closet Does Hong Kong have any alternative cultures? Compare the past and the present and discuss repression in the region in this roundtable discussion. 3.15pm, The Fringe Studio, HK$90

Horrid Henry Here in Hong Kong! Francesca Simon, the creator of Horrid Henry, tells her stories about this lovable rascal. The ticket price admits one parent and one child and includes juice and snacks. 4pm, Pacific Coffee, Hutchison House, HK$150 (Sold out)

Divided by a Common Language Harvard's Harry Lewis (author of a forthcoming book on the language of baseball) and local humorist Larry Feign (author of Hongkongitis) discuss the frequent misunderstandings that stem from the fact that English isn't always English. Moderated by Peter Gordon. Ticket price includes one drink from the bar. 5pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Wine and Words from Around the World Selected wines will be paired with some of the festival's best raconteurs including Australian author Kirsty Murray, New Zealand writer Witi Ihimaera, American science writer Dava Sobel and British historian John Man. Event hosted by Kim Murphy and wine contributed by Kedington Wines and the Wine Institute of Asia. 7pm, DotCod, HK$800

Festival Poetry A lively and entertaining evening of contemporary poetry from published and unpublished poets including: Martin Alexander, Gillian Bickley, John Dance, Nashua Gallagher, Viki Holmes, Akin Jeje, Arthur Leung, Jason Lee, Shirley Lee, Mark Malby, Kate Rogers, Madeline Marie Slavick and Jennifer Wong. 8pm, The Fringe Club, Downstairs Bar, free

March 9

Blast Off! Who doesn't have a fascination with space? Dava Sobel, whose writing proved the public's willingness to embrace stories about science, recently published The Planets. Marina Benjamin's book Rocket Dreams is an elegy to the Space Age and an examination of what happened to the conquistadorial dreams of space colonisation. This event includes a champagne brunch. In conversation with Stephen McCarty. 10am, The Fringe Theatre, HK$250

Double Agent Yang Hengjun's novel, Fatal Weakness, is the first of his spy trilogy on government corruption and double-dealing, in conversation with Rebecca MacKinnon. Session will be in Putonghua. 11am, The Fringe Studio, HK$90

Hero or Horror? Historian John Man who wrote a trilogy about Asian leaders (Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun and Kublai Khan), talks with Peter Gordon about Genghis Khan: Was he a terrifying conqueror or a visionary leader? Noon, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Murder Out of Context Detecting in Beijing, murder in San Francisco. Listen to Catherine Sampson and Yan Geling discuss writing about the underworld, in conversation with Sarah Passmore. 1.30pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

Stories with a Twist Enjoy storytelling with Rosemarie Somaiah and then experience the magic of Shakespeare with your children. See a scene from Shakespeare's comedy, Taming of the Shrew, performed in English and then in Cantonese by a group of local students who work with Shakespeare4All. 1.30pm and 3.30pm, The Science Museum, HK$60

Piracy, Propaganda and Pop Idols Part One: Yan Geling, whose work was the basis for the movie Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl, will discuss recent developments in film, including how piracy has shaped the form of Chinese film. Part Two: In a media caught between official propaganda and tacky reality and entertainment shows, what space remains for serious journalism? Rob Gifford, Duncan Hewitt and Zhang Lijia discuss the Chinese media. Both parts in conversation with Alexandra Harney. 2.45pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$120

In Their Shoes Zhang Lijia, now an author and freelance journalist, spent 10 years of her childhood in a rocket factory; Greg Hunt, publisher and journalist, wrote his first book They Saddle Dogs while living in the Middle East, accounting a car journey from the United Arab Emirates to his native Britain. Hear them discuss their memoirs with Chris Wood. 4.30pm, The Fringe Theatre, HK$90

A Sense of Home What gives one a sense of home? Hear Martin Alexander, Viki Holmes, Greg Hunt, Yiyun Li, David McKirdy and Jane Wong all of whom have moved between countries and cultures. Moderated by Reverend Matthew Vernon. Conversation and book signings will follow. Drinks and nibbles provided by Harrow International School Beijing. 6pm, St John's Cathedral, free

March 10

Making News What is the role of the journalist? Does news telling serve a public function or is it now merely a commercial product? Rob Gifford in conversation with Rebecca MacKinnon. Breakfast included. 8am, the Foreign Correspondents' Club, HK$220

A Chinese Literary Book Corner Two distinguished authors Yiyun Li and Yang Hengjun discuss writing about China. Followed by book signing. Session will be in English and Putonghua. 11am, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chung Chi College Library, free

End of Life Dilemma Edward Larson, Herman E Talmadge chair of law and Richard B Russell Professor of American History School of Law, University of Georgia, will give this talk at the School of Public Health. 12.30pm, Kai Chong Tong Auditorium, Prince of Wales Hospital, free

British Council Presents Writing Creative Crime Fiction Catherine Sampson reads to secondary school students from her latest crime thriller The Pool of Unease and gives tips to young writers on the joy of writing creatively. 2.30pm, British Council, free

Story Time! Sarah Brennan reads from her A Dirty Story and An Even Dirtier Story. Ticket price includes a copy of the book. Profits will be donated to the Hong Kong Juvenile Diabetes Association. 4pm, Kids' Gallery, HK$150

Adventures in Science Writing Dava Sobel will discuss how to merge science and literature. 4pm, Lam Woo Lecture Theatre, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, free

Is a Peaceful Rise Really Possible for China?: Impact on Southeast Asia and the World Presented by Rob Gifford, who as a journalist for NPR has covered elections in Taiwan and East Timor, diplomatic visits to North Korea, and Islamic issues from Indonesia, Malaysia and the southern Philippines in the wake of September 11. 4pm, University Library, Seminar Room 3, Information Space, City University of Hong Kong, free

Revolutions: Cultural to Sexual How wide is the generation gap between pop-culture oriented teenagers in China on the forefront of the sexual revolution and their parents who lived through the Cultural Revolution? Duncan Hewitt shares his views in a conversation with Rob Gifford. Cocktails from 6.30pm, talk begins at 7pm. 6.30pm, LRC, 10 Old Peak Road, 3199 3500, HK$120 (Sold out)

Hong Kong Writers' Circle Presents No Viagra Required Get in the mood with readings from Hong Kong's newest and most exciting writers as the Hong Kong Writers' Circle launches the short story collection Love & Lust. Ticket price includes drinks, snacks and a copy of the book. 7pm, Fringe Gallery, Fringe Club, HK$100

Royal Geographical Society presents God and Science on the Galapagos Islands Featuring Pulitzer winner Edward Larson. His most recent publication is Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory. 7.30pm, Hong Kong Football Club, HK$150

March 11

From Foreign to Familiar From the bustling heart of Beijing to a fast food restaurant in Chicago to the barren expanse of Inner Mongolia, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers reveals worlds both foreign and familiar. Author Yiyun Li talks with Amanda Hayes about the process of moving across cultures and writing her stories. Coffee and tea included. 10am, LRC, 10 Old Peak Road, 3199 3500, HK$120

Reforming the Undergraduate Curriculum: A Symposium for Hong Kong Educators Harry Lewis, former Dean at Harvard University, will open this event with a plenary presentation on the challenges and delights of redesigning the undergraduate education for the 21st century, and then break participants into small groups to discuss the 3-3-4 reform. 10am, Graduate Law Centre, 2/F, Bank of America Tower, Central, free

Stranger at Home Join Yan Geling and Yiyun Li as they discuss what it is like to be a stranger in your own country and the conflicts inherent in having two homes, two cultures and two identities. Moderated by Dania Shawwa Abuali. Noon, M at the Fringe, HK$288

Man Distinguished Lecture: Anne Enright Winner of the 2007 Man Booker Prize for The Gathering delivers this important lecture at the University of Hong Kong. 6pm, University of Hong Kong, Rayson Huang Theatre, free (Fully booked)

Spotlight on New Zealand Presented by Witi Ihimaera. 6.30pm, The New Zealand Consulate-General's Residence, HK$120

Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory By Edward Larson. 7pm, the Foreign Correspondents' Club, HK$250

March 12

The Gathering: An Anne Enright Gala Event Man Booker Prize winner Anne Enright talks about her critically acclaimed novel The Gathering as well as The Wig My Father Wore and What Are You Like?, which won the Royal Society of Authors Encore Prize. Her themes explore family relationships, love and sex, Ireland's difficult past and its modern zeitgeist. In conversation with Douglas Kerr. Ticket price includes a champagne reception and a copy of The Gathering. Sponsored by David Tang. 5.30pm, The China Club, HK$500

Ethics and the Law in Human Genetic Screening Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Larson discusses bioethics and public health, including the use of pre-natal human genetic screening and its impact on individual and disability rights. 7pm, The Graduate Law Centre, 2/F Bank of America Tower, Lecture Theatre 3, free

March 13

Irish Coffee Book signing at Bookazine. Irish Coffee and whiskey cake served while Anne Enright signs books. 1pm, Bookazine, Prince's Building, Central, free

March 17

A Conversation with Espido Freire. 6.30pm, Hong Kong Arts Centre, McAulay Studio, free

March 18, 19

Are Writers Born? Join Espido Freire for a writing workshop that discusses how to fill the gaps left by traditional creative writing approaches. Talk will be in English and Spanish. 5.30pm, The University of Hong Kong, Room T6 Meng Wah Complex, free