Andrea and Dennis are close friends. They meet regularly over coffee or a meal to discuss books, ideas and the state of the world. And to gossip. In this session we have the opportunity to eavesdrop on their conversation. To be introduced by Henry Rosenbloom.

Award-winning author of The Book of Dirt, Bram Presser talks to Juliet Rieden and Miriam Sved about family stories and the intracacies of weaving truth into tales of fiction; of preserving the facts while filling in the impossible gaps left by the passing of time.

Orly Castel-Bloom (Israel), Andrea Goldsmith and Avi Duckor-Jones (NZ) have all written superb books. Traversing Egypt, Israel, Spain, Russia, Australia and New Zealand, here are exiles of state, of community, of self. But within these tales – some fictional, some true – there also reside forms of flight that are liberating and transformative. Witness flights…

The Australian publishing landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, creating boundless opportunities for authors to share their work with the world. In this industry-focused session with Romy Moshinsky, Melissa Kayser and Debbie Lee, learn about the niche businesses committed to publishing quality books online and in print, and how to self-publish and promote your…

Why is that many doctors are also writers? Or is it writers who are doctors? David Isaacs, Andy Mia Kranz and Leon Piterman discuss the unlikely attraction between scalpel and pen, the varied story sources and the constant juggling act, led by Jacinta Halloran.

Following the arrival of the #MeToo moment, where are we heading? Has real change occurred or are we stuck in an intractable morass? Join Miriam Sved, Ginger Gorman and David Leser as they courageously grapple with this historical turning point and explore subtleties of the new gendered landscape, for good and ill. Moderated by Angela…

Is our world in a state of crisis? Over the summer, we witnessed the ecological devastation of bushfires engulfing much of this country and yet real climate change action seems to evade us. Our financial institutions have been revealed to be morally bankrupt. How do we agitate for change and maintain civil discourse? Jonathan Pearlman…

What does it mean to stand under the umbrella of Jewish queer writer? What are the challenges of claiming your space? Does it even matter? Dennis Altman, Hayley Katzen and Nevo Zisin join Roz Bellamy in examining how they, and others, are changing the landscape.

While characters are often seen as the pivotal element in stories, landscape and societal factors provide the layers that help readers find deeper meaning, greater connections, and form those all-important pictures in their mind. Few writers understand this better than Deborah Eisenberg (New York), Orly Castel-Bloom (Tel Aviv), and Tony Birch (Melbourne), and they will…

Think you know who has influenced some of our most celebrated writers? Think again! Join Lee Kofman and multi-award-winning authors Arnold Zable, Andrea Goldsmith and Bram Presser as they reveal the lesser-known writers who have inspired them and helped shape the way they think and write. You might just discover your next favourite author.

Sabine Cotte, Lesley Harding and Kendra Morgan were lucky enough to have known one of our favourite artists intimately and with great affection. Mirka Mora’s charm, effervescence and style are revered in their books. This event is a tribute to a beloved, bright-eyed and deeply missed Melbournian. To be moderated by Jessica Bram. Supported by…