Festival season is more than upon us in Australia, and one of my faves is just around the corner. Brisbane Writers Festival is a total powerhouse, and this year's program is particularly awesome, and not even just because I'm on it (teaching Pen to Paper on Wednesday, and chairing Ask Me Anything with Cassandra Clare! on Friday). From the fantastic to the critical, it celebrates all types of writing with all types of artists. Check out my picks below.
WEDNESDAY 02 SEPTEMBER
BWF at UQ - Kelly Link Guest Lecture
It's not exactly a secret that I am in love with Kelly Link, so expect to see a lot of her in this festival guide. Plus, I mean, this is basically a key note speech, AND it's free, so there's a lot of winning happening in this event.
Masterclass: Conquering Characters in Children's Fiction
Writing for children can actually be a pretty difficult task, so this one with the wonderful R.A. Spratt on characters in kids lit should be a terrific one for anyone wanting to write in that demographic.
THURSDAY 03 SEPTEMBER
Masterclass: Is There a Story Here? Exploring contemporary issues through the lens of modern media
Over the last year or so, I've really gotten into book length journalism, (particularly Ann Rule's The Stranger Beside Me and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, for those playing at home) so this masterclass exploring how you see a bigger story in an event looks really interesting.
Masterclass: Short Links
I mean, I warned you about all the Kelly Link stuff, right? I'm already booked in for this masterclass with her on the art of short fiction and you totally should be too.
Masterclass: Writing for Interactive Narrative
This masterclass explores, straight from the horse's mouth, 'the relationship between games, culture and narrative.'
Opening Address: Minds Wide Open with Jon Ronson
The opening addresses at BWF are always really interesting conversations that stir debate. Jon Ronson's a super interesting dude too, so the marriage should be a good one.
FRIDAY 04 SEPTEMBER
BWF at UQ: Jon Ronson
Moar Jon Ronson! Only this is an in conversation on investigative journalism in the modern age.
A Call to Duty
What draws people to politics is the real question of this panel. With a line up like Anna Bligh, Andrew Leigh and Bernard Keane too, it's a question that might just get answered.
The Biology of Desire
A conversation exploring what addiction actually is.
Good Thinking: Laurie Penny
Conversations about being a woman on the internet are everywhere nowadays because, well, it's pretty hard to be a woman on the internet. Laurie Penny's book Cybersexism has been on my to-read list since I heard about it, and I'm excited to see her speak on it.
SATURDAY 05 SEPTEMBER
Brisbane Poetry Map
Brisbane has a really exciting poetry scene, and so it's cool to see the way BWF continues to explore the form, particularly in this interactive and digital way.
Guilty as Charged
I've been on a total crime binge of late, so this panel on what attracts us to the genre and constructing a bad guy we care about is totally up my alley.
How to be a Heroine
It's a topic I enjoy anyway, but the calibre of artists on this panel is damn exceptional. Jane Caro! Kate Grenville! Sarah Waters! Sophie Hannah! Yes please!
This Sucks: why we'll never tire of vampires
Vampires have come back in a big big way the last few years, but they've been around basically forever. Exploring why they're still popular with three awesome authors who've written them, will be a lot of fun.
Love YA
This is basically a must for me. A full day, free program at Brisbane Square Library devoted to young adult fiction. It helps that the program has an awesome line up including David Burton, John Marsden, Christine Bongers and more.
A Letter to My Future Self + Stories Dark, Stories Deep
The reading events held at the Festival Club are often some of the most fun at BWF. It's the opportunity to put your feet up, hang out with friends - old ones, and those made during events, and have a drink while the festival artists read around a cool topic. Both on Saturday night are awesome ones too.
SUNDAY 06 SEPTEMBER
Thea Astley: inventing her own weather
Thea Astley is one of Australia's most interesting authors, with a writing career spanning 50 years. This retrospective on her life and career with her biographer is as important as it is interesting.
On Primal Emotions: love and fear
I'm really fascinated by this topic and really curious to see how it'll be explored by it's artists.
Medea's Curse
Mothers who kill! Look, it's up my alley.
Get In Trouble
I totally warned you there'd be a lot of Kelly Link on this list, and this one involves her in conversation with Angela Slatter, a wonderful short fiction author in her own right, so the discussion here is one I'm really looking forward to.
Culture Goes Pop
I love panels on pop culture. Looking at the way television and film, the internet, memes, and more intersect with the way we live our lives is totally fascinating, so this panel isn't one to miss.
Ancient Myths Modern Tales
[basically just insert the heart eye emoji here]
Chris Taylor and Andrew Hanson In Conversation with Lionel Corn
I was a huge Chaser fan growing up, so anything with Chris Taylor and Andrew Hanson is always going to be on my list.
The whole program is pretty awesome though. Check it out here.
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