Program


Inspiring readers and writers alike, our packed three-day program celebrates the best of Australia’s literary landscape: joyful, thought-provoking and thrilling opportunities to connect with the written word, and each other. Weekend and day passes, workshops and special events are on sale now.

Program at a Glance:

Tickets:

Filtering by: “Author Session”
VILLAINY AND VICE Jack Heath and Louise Milligan in conversation with James Valentine
Nov
2

VILLAINY AND VICE Jack Heath and Louise Milligan in conversation with James Valentine

  • The Grand Dining Room, The Carrington Hotel (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join bestselling author Jack Heath and award-winning journalist and author Louise Milligan as they discuss what makes crime so damn compelling with ABC Sydney’s James Valentine.

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WHEN COPS ARE CRIMINALS Veronica Gorrie in conversation with Evelyn Araluen
Nov
2

WHEN COPS ARE CRIMINALS Veronica Gorrie in conversation with Evelyn Araluen

Join multi-award-winning author Veronica Gorrie and editor of Overland, Evelyn Araluen, discussing a new essay collection about the widespread problem of police criminality and corruption.

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ASK A SILLY QUESTION, GET A CLEVER ANSWER Dr Karl, Professor David Lindenmayer and Bianca Nogrady
Nov
2

ASK A SILLY QUESTION, GET A CLEVER ANSWER Dr Karl, Professor David Lindenmayer and Bianca Nogrady

Don’t miss this incredible chance to ask burning questions about climate change and the environment, with three people who REALLY know what they’re talking about: Dr Karl, Professor David Lindenmayer and Bianca Nogrady, who between them have published 102 books about science!

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HOME TRUTHS Lech Blaine, Daniel Browning and Veronica Gorrie in conversation with Maeve Marsden
Nov
2

HOME TRUTHS Lech Blaine, Daniel Browning and Veronica Gorrie in conversation with Maeve Marsden

What does it take to excavate personal history and turn it into searing, emotive prose? Explore the artistry of writing memoir, and the challenges of working within flawed institutions, with these celebrated writers.

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PRAISEWORTHY Alexis Wright (via Zoom) in conversation with Ivor Indyk
Nov
2

PRAISEWORTHY Alexis Wright (via Zoom) in conversation with Ivor Indyk

Don’t miss this chance to hear from Alexis Wright, the author of the first book to have received both the Stella Prize and the Miles Franklin, described as ‘the most ambitious and accomplished Australian novel of this century’ by the New York Times Book Review.

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CULTS, CLUBS AND PYRAMID SCHEMES Lech Blaine, Ernest Price and Karen Viggers in conversation with Hayley Scrivenor
Nov
2

CULTS, CLUBS AND PYRAMID SCHEMES Lech Blaine, Ernest Price and Karen Viggers in conversation with Hayley Scrivenor

What happens when the need to belong becomes an obsession? Consider family, religion, diet culture, sport and social media with these brilliant books by Lech Blaine, Ernest Price and Karen Viggers.

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ADAPT OR PERISH Peter Goldsworthy and Pip Williams in conversation with Sarah Macdonald
Nov
2

ADAPT OR PERISH Peter Goldsworthy and Pip Williams in conversation with Sarah Macdonald

Bestselling novelist Pip Williams and award-winning author, poet and playwright Peter Goldsworthy chat rights, process and form in this focused discussion on the art of adaptation, with ABC Radio Sydney’s Sarah MacDonald.

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WILD IMAGININGS Siang Lu and Kate Mildenhall in conversation
Nov
3

WILD IMAGININGS Siang Lu and Kate Mildenhall in conversation

Turning seemingly improbable futures into plausible inevitabilities, bending the boundaries of genre and sparking the reader’s imagination in thrilling ways, Siang Lu and Kate Mildenhall talk adventures and dystopias in this in-depth discussion of their latest books.

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LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE Michelle Brasier and Peter Goldsworthy in conversation with James Valentine
Nov
3

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE Michelle Brasier and Peter Goldsworthy in conversation with James Valentine

‘If you found out you had less time to live than the average bear, how might you spend it?’ Beloved comedian Michelle Brasier and acclaimed writer and doctor, Peter Goldsworthy discuss turning to humour and creativity in the face of their own mortality, with ABC Radio Sydney’s James Valentine.

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TREES AND GALAXIES Ceridwen Dovey and Dave Witty in conversation with Renee Krosch
Nov
3

TREES AND GALAXIES Ceridwen Dovey and Dave Witty in conversation with Renee Krosch

Blending scientific inquiry with remarkable creativity, from the great forests to the far reaches of outer space, Ceridwen Dovey and Dave Witty discuss their beautiful new books with ABC Radio Sydney’s Renee Krosch.

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WORDS AS WEAPONS Evelyn Araluen, Sara M Saleh and Jordana Silverstein in conversation with Dr Souheir Edelbi
Nov
3

WORDS AS WEAPONS Evelyn Araluen, Sara M Saleh and Jordana Silverstein in conversation with Dr Souheir Edelbi

Explore the power of language, both as a tool for advocacy and activism, or as an intentional tool to do harm, in this vital conversation hosted by co-convenor of Western Sydney University’s Palestine Project Dr Souheir Edelbi.

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ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE Thomas Mayo in conversation with Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
Nov
3

ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE Thomas Mayo in conversation with Charmaine Ledden-Lewis

In Always Was, Always Will Be, bestselling author Thomas Mayo investigates ‘what's next?’ for reconciliation and justice in Australia after the failed October 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum. He is joined in conversation by local illustrator and proud Bundjalung woman Charmaine Ledden-Lewis.

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POETRY IS NOT A LUXURY Daniel Browning, Kate Fagan and Sara M Saleh in conversation with Jazz Money
Nov
3

POETRY IS NOT A LUXURY Daniel Browning, Kate Fagan and Sara M Saleh in conversation with Jazz Money

Four writers deeply versed in the transformative power of poetry discuss class, community, collaboration and survival in their latest collections, each experimental in form and expansive in vision.

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QUEERSTORIES Michelle Brasier, Daniel Browning, Charlie Villas and Adrian Mouhajer, hosted by Maeve Marsden
Nov
3

QUEERSTORIES Michelle Brasier, Daniel Browning, Charlie Villas and Adrian Mouhajer, hosted by Maeve Marsden

Vulnerable and fierce, hilarious and heartbreaking, Queerstories celebrates the culture and creativity of the LGBTQI+ community one true story at a time. An institution around the country, Queerstories has played to crowds big and small, from Mudgee to Murwillumbah, Albury to Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond.

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Robert Dessaix in Conversation with Ailsa Piper
Oct
22

Robert Dessaix in Conversation with Ailsa Piper

Join one of Australia’s most-loved writers, literary great Robert Dessaix, as he journeys with host Ailsa Piper through a writing life traversing memoir, essays and biography. Robert reflects on his latest work, Abracadabra, a collection of ideas, ruminations and stories previously told to captivated audiences, but never captured in print before.

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Charlotte Wood in Conversation with Ashley Hay
Oct
22

Charlotte Wood in Conversation with Ashley Hay

How do we face the questions of forgiveness and grief, and what might allow us to finally lay old sorrows to rest? Join one of Australia’s most acclaimed and best-loved writers Charlotte Wood (The Weekend and The Natural Way of Things) in conversation with Ashley Hay as they explore the moral tension between retreating from the world or engaging with it, the power of place, and other themes from Charlotte’s latest book, Stone Yard Devotional.

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Sport’s Troubled Relationship with Race, Gender and Sexuality: Ellen van Neerven with Melanie Saward
Oct
21

Sport’s Troubled Relationship with Race, Gender and Sexuality: Ellen van Neerven with Melanie Saward

Join Ellen van Neerven as they shine a light upon sport on this continent from a queer First Nations perspective, revealing how some athletes have long challenged mainstream views and used their roles to effect change not only in their own realm, but in society more broadly.

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Provocateur: Clive Hamilton
Oct
21

Provocateur: Clive Hamilton

Join Clive Hamilton in conversation with Richard Glover to explore why questioning the status quo matters and how powerful arguments can change the country in which we live. Hear Clive share his blueprint for changing public debate in increasingly uncertain times, and why a life of ideas in action actually works.

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