Inga Clendinnen (1934-2016) was one of Australia’s greatest writers and thinkers.

Inga Clendinnen: Selected Writings covers the full scope of her writing, from Tiger’s Eye to Aztecs, from Boyer Lectures to essays on all manner of topics. The rich array is introduced by acclaimed historian James Boyce, who traces Clendinnen’s life and evolving thought.

James will be in conversation with editor of Island Story and Deep South, Danielle Wood.

Modern China is seen variously as an economic powerhouse, an icon of urbanisation, a propaganda state or an aggressive superpower seeking world domination. In The Shortest History of China, Linda Jaivin distils a vast history into a short, readable account that tells you what you need to know, from China’s philosophical origins to its political system, to the COVID-19 pandemic and where the PRC is likely to lead the world.

In conversation with Benjamin Law.

Headland Writers Festival is a new literature event for the Far South Coast featuring conversations with authors, industry forums, workshops, performances, live music and more, from 14 to 16 May.

Don’t miss Black Inc. authors Scott Ludlam (Full Circle) and Mark McKenna (Return to Uluru).

The Queenscliffe Literary Festival is a celebration of Australian writers, books and ideas. The festival is on from 14 to 30 May.

Don’t miss bestselling Black Inc. authors Alice Pung (One Hundred Days) and Ross Garnaut (Reset).

Richard Denniss in conversation about Econobabble, a clear, witty guide to understanding political jargon about the economy.

In this fully updated and expanded edition, Richard Denniss demolishes the tired and misleading arguments of right-wing economic ‘experts’ with humour and precision, empowering you to cut through the babble and reach the truth.

The Australia Institute is one of the country’s leading independent think tanks and chief economist Dr Richard Denniss is one of Australia’s most prominent public intellectuals

Australia can cope with big challenges. We’ve just done it. Australians can make sacrifices and work together and solve big problems quickly. We’ve been practicing for a year. The COVID-19 response showed us what we can achieve if we really want to – we halved poverty and homelessness in the depths of the crisis. Why walk that back now? We’ve never needed bigger ideas more.

Jess Hill (See What You Made Me Do) and Andrew Wear (Solved! and Recovery) join the line-up to discuss how to think bigger and fix everything.

The 2021 conference will be available both in-person and online.

In The Shortest History of China Linda Jaivin distils a vast history into a short, readable account that tells you what you need to know, from China’s philosophical origins to its political system, to the COVID-19 pandemic and where the PRC is likely to lead the world.

Joined by journalist and author Rick Morton, join us with a glass of wine as Linda discusses China's sprawling and gloriously messy history, and its future.

Booking fee includes a glass of wine and canapés.

Join Mark McKenna (appearing live via video) as he talks with Michael Bennett about his new book, Return to Uluru.

This event will be held onsite and online.

Kate Holden in conversation with Caroline Baum about her epic true story of greed, power and inheritance, The Winter Road: A Story of Legacy, Land and a Killing at Croppa Creek.

Richard Denniss in conversation with Alex Sloan AM, popular journalist and former ABC radio broadcaster, about Econobabble, a fully updated and expanded edition of Richard Denniss’s clear, witty guide to understanding political jargon about the economy.

This book exposes the stupid arguments, bizarre contradictions and complete lack of evidence upon which much ‘common sense’ about the economy rests in Australia.

The Australia Institute is one of the country’s leading independent think tanks and chief economist Dr Richard Denniss is one of Australia’s most prominent public intellectuals and the author of multiple books.

Join Linda Jaivin for the launch of The Shortest History of China, a pacy history of China that can be read in an afternoon, but will transform your perspective for a lifetime.

This event will take place both instore and online.

Linda Jaivin gives a presentation on her new book The Shortest History of China, chaired by Kai He and Sue Trevaskes.

This online and in person series brings together the Centre for Governance and Public Policy research community (academic staff and higher degree students) for weekly research sessions.

Centre for Governance and Public Policy members wishing to participate in the sessions should contact Duncan McDonnell ([email protected]).

Linda Jaivin’s latest book, The Shortest History of China distills a vast history into a short, readable account that tells you what you need to know, from China’s philosophical origins to its political system, to the COVID-19 pandemic and where the People’s Republic of China is likely to lead the world.

This panel will discuss, and launch, Linda’s book in our first hybrid event.

Panel:
Linda Jaivin, author and co-editor of the China Story Yearbook
Dr Ruth Gamble, Lecturer, History, La Trobe University
Professor Baogang He, Alfred Deakin Professor and Personal Chair in International Relations, Deakin University
Chair: Dr Bec Strating, Executive Director, La Trobe Asia

Join us in person at the State Library Victoria or online as your circumstances allow.

Linda will sign copies of the book at the conclusion of the panel, which will be for sale in the foyer.

Join celebrated author Alice Pung in conversation with Bruno Lettieri for a special ‘sneak peak’ of her forthcoming novel. Set in Melbourne’s Western suburbs, One Hundred Days marks Alice’s first foray into adult fiction following her bestselling YA and non-fiction books. Tune in to discover what went into the writing of this highly anticipated new family drama.

1 in 5 Australians have a disability, yet disabled people are underrepresented in the media and literature. Growing Up Disabled in Australia gives voice to those who have been left out of discussions and not seen themselves represented in mainstream media. 

Carly Findlay, Kurt Fearnley and Belinda Downes will discuss their experiences, the importance of representation and why works like Growing Up are so important.

We hear, weekly, alarming stories of Chinese influence, interference or even espionage – in politics, on campus, in the media, in community organisations and elsewhere. The United States now sees China as a strategic rival, and pressure on Australia to ‘get tough on China’ will only intensify.

In China Panic, an insightful critique, David Brophy offers a progressive alternative. Instead of punitive measures that restrict rights and stoke suspicion of minorities – moves that would only make Australia more like China – we need democratic solutions that strengthen Australian institutions and embrace, not alienate, Chinese Australians. Above all, we need forms of international solidarity that don’t reduce human rights to a mere bargaining chip.

In conversation with Stephen Fitzgerald.

The Shortest History of China distils the vast history of China into a short, readable account that tells you what you need to know, from China’s philosophical origins to its political system, to the COVID-19 pandemic and where the PRC is likely to lead the world.

Author Linda Jaivin will be joined in conversation with The Hon. Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia.

This event has a strict start time, so we ask that you arrive no later than 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start.

Presented by Yarra Libraries, The Ewing Trust, The Asia Society, Black Inc. Books and Readings. This is a free event but bookings are required.

Join Richard Denniss to discuss Econobabble, his clear, witty guide to understanding political jargon about the economy.

In this fully updated and expanded edition, Richard Denniss demolishes the tired and misleading arguments of right-wing economic ‘experts’ with humour and precision, empowering you to cut through the babble and reach the truth.

The Australia Institute is one of the country’s leading independent think tanks and chief economist Dr Richard Denniss is one of Australia’s most prominent public intellectuals.

Everything Harder Than Everyone Else follows people doing the things that most couldn’t, wouldn’t or shouldn’t. Their insights lead Jenny Valentish on a compulsive, sometimes reckless journey through psychology, endurance and the power of obsession, revealing what we can learn about the human condition. 

Join Jenny Valentish in-conversation with Catriona Menzies-Pike, editor of the Sydney Review of Books, followed by a live peformance from Black Knuckles. 

A high energy afternoon not to be missed.   

Join us for the book launch of Alice Pung’s new novel, One Hundred Days.

In a heady whirlwind of independence, lust and defiance, sixteen-year-old Karuna falls pregnant. Not on purpose, but not entirely by accident, either. Incensed, Karuna’s mother, already over-protective, confines her to their fourteenth-storey housing-commission flat, to keep her safe from the outside world – and make sure she can’t get into any more trouble. One Hundred Days is a fractured fairytale exploring the fault lines between love and control. It is a magnificent new work from one of Australia’s most celebrated writers.

This event is free to attend but bookings are essential as places are strictly limited.

Brimming with optimism and practical ideas, Reset presents a bold new vision for the Australian economy from one of our leading thinkers. 

In this thought-provoking conversation in partnership with The Wheeler Centre, Garnaut will discuss his roadmap for progress, policy, and diplomacy with host Prue Bentley.

Alice Pung chats to Bruno Lettieri about her first novel for adult audiences.

One Hundred Days explores the faultlines between love and control. It follows the story of a young teen who falls pregnant and her relationship with her overprotective mother.

Join us for the launch of Jenny Valentish’s Everything Harder than Everyone Else, with Australian wrestling legend KrackerJak and Scarlett Harris, an Australian culture critic with a focus on professional wrestling.

It’s part of human nature to test our limits. But what happens when this part comes to define us? Everything Harder Than Everyone Else follows people doing the things that most couldn’t, wouldn’t or shouldn’t. Their insights lead Jenny on a compulsive, sometimes reckless journey through psychology, endurance and the power of obsession, revealing what we can learn about the human condition.

Alice Pung’s new novel, One Hundred Days, examines a complex mother-daughter relationship. When sixteen-year-old Karuna discovers she is pregnant, her overprotective mother confines her to their fourteenth-storey housing-commission flat. Brimming with honesty, fearlessness and heart, One Hundred Days asks: what separates love from control?

Join Pung over lunch at Montalto as she discusses this fractured fairytale with host Melanie Cheng. Please arrive at 12pm for a 12.30pm start.

Presented by The Wheeler Centre.

From acclaimed journalist Jenny Valentish comes a wildly entertaining venture into the psychology of extreme behaviour. We all have our limits – what are yours?

Jenny Valentish is in-conversation with Brigid Delaney to discuss Everything Harder Than Everyone Else: Why some of us push our bodies to extremes.

Linda Jaivin in conversation with Fiona Katauskas about her latest book The Shortest History of China, a pacy history of China that can be read in an afternoon, but will transform your perspective for a lifetime.

One Hundred Days is a magnificent new work from one of Australia’s most celebrated writers. Join us in-store as Alice Pung discusses her latest novel with Benjamin Law.

Join us for the launch of Jenny Valentish’s Everything Harder than Everyone Else: Why Some of Us Push Our Bodies to Extremes.

In the follow up to her addiction memoir Woman of Substances, Valentish meets porn stars, bare-knuckle boxers, performance artists and BDSM lifers, revealing what their endeavours in endurance can teach us about the human condition.

Jenny will be in conversation with Guardian journalist, Brigid Delaney.

The Life of a Spy is Rod Barton’s remarkable true story of an extraordinary Australian intelligence officer, whose work took him across the world … and into the depths of war and politics.

With an introduction from Chair of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at University of Sydney, Dr Wendy Lambourne, senior lecturer Dr Eyal Mayroz will facilitate a conversation between Rod Barton and Australian Foreign Affairs editor Jonathan Pearlman.