How good was it that my two sessions today involved books my reading group has done this year, Debra Dank's We come with this place, and, in this session, Robbie Arnott's Limberlost. The session, subtitled "Robbie Arnott in conversation with Astrid Edwards", sounded broader in ambit: Robbie Arnott’s fiction is steeped in the wild: women … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2023: 4, Into the Wild
Canberra Writers Festival
Canberra Writers Festival 2023: 3, A Jewel of a Book
Which book you are presumably wondering? The session's subtitle will give you a hint: Debra Dank in Conversation with Evelyn Araluen. The book, then, is Debra Dank's We come with this place, which won a record four prizes in this year's NSW Premier's Literary Awards (as I described in my post). The session description commenced … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2023: 3, A Jewel of a Book
Canberra Writers Festival 2023: 2, Celebrating the classics
When I saw the line-up for this session - Debra Dank, Evelyn Araluen, Ellen Van Neerven and Yasmin Smith - I was in. I have read and admired writing by three of these writers and was keen to attend that rare thing, an all First Nations panel. Its topic was described as follows: A new … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2023: 2, Celebrating the classics
Canberra Writers Festival 2023: 1, Canberra’s Biggest Book Club
A preamble The Canberra Writers Festival is back in 2023, with a new Artistic Director, the writer and critic Beejay Silcox. The Festival's theme continues to be "Power Politics Passion", which, for this year's Festival organisers, begs big questions: What do we value? Whose stories are heard? How do we reckon with the past and … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2023: 1, Canberra’s Biggest Book Club
Canberra Writers Festival 2022: (My) Session 3, Germaine Greer in conversation with Rick Morton
My third choice of sessions was also somewhat sentimental, because, with Germaine Greer now in her 80s, I wasn't sure how many more opportunities I'd get to see her in the flesh. But, I was disappointed because, the night before the event, the following email was sent out: Sadly, Ms Greer has had a fall … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2022: (My) Session 3, Germaine Greer in conversation with Rick Morton
Canberra Writers Festival 2022: (My) Session 2, Her last words: The inspiring life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
My second choice of sessions was, partly, sentimental, because Ruth Bader Ginsburg is such an inspiration for feminists like me and I also wanted to see ABC journalist Fran Kelly strut her stuff in person. I wasn't disappointed. The session was subtitled, Amanda Tyler In Conversation With Fran Kelly, and was framed as follows: Justice … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2022: (My) Session 2, Her last words: The inspiring life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Canberra Writers Festival 2022: (My) Session 1, Writing the precipice
A preamble After a long pandemic-caused hiatus during which it didn't, like many others, "pivot" to an online format, the Canberra Writers Festival is back. Unfortunately, it clashed with a time we could visit our Melbourne family, so the best I could do was reduce that trip by a day so I could at least … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2022: (My) Session 1, Writing the precipice
Monday Musings on Australian Literature: Canberra Writers Festival 2019 Recap
Just when you thought it was safe to return to my blog, I'm at it again, talking about this year's Canberra Writers Festival. However, if you are like me you are intrigued about what other readers and festival goers like, so I thought I'd share what the Canberra Writers Festival sent us subscribers. But, I'll … Continue reading Monday Musings on Australian Literature: Canberra Writers Festival 2019 Recap
Canberra Writers Festival 2019, Day 2, Session 3: In our backyard
Suddenly it was my last session! How quickly the two days went. The reason I chose In Our Backyard is obvious. It was described as "Get up close and personal with four of Canberra’s literary gems", and was moderated by ABC journalist, Emma Alberici. It was a warm-hearted session, characterised by a sense of respect … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2019, Day 2, Session 3: In our backyard
Canberra Writers Festival 2019, Day 2, Session 2: PM’s Pick (Brian Castro with Genevieve Jacobs)
PM's Pick, featuring the multi-award-winning Brian Castro, was another must-attend session. The night before, while dining at Muse, I checked to see whether they had any Castro in their classy little bookshop. They did, including a second-hand copy of his fourth novel, After China. I snapped it up, and as I did, bookseller Dan reminded … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2019, Day 2, Session 2: PM’s Pick (Brian Castro with Genevieve Jacobs)
