Come and hear AFL historian and author, Michael Roberts who will chat about all things AFL, in particular his beloved Collingwood Football Club. Michael will also be signing copies of his latest book, Champions of Collingwood

Random Life is a collection of over 200 recent cartoons by much-loved cartoonist Judy Horacek. Drawn for her regular spot in the Age (and other publications wise enough to employ her), Judy’s ninth cartoon collection covers subjects as diverse as climate change, feminism, social media, fairy tales, Mondays and zebras.

David Hunt is an unusually tall and handsome man who likes writing his own bios for all the books he has written. David is the author of Girt: The Unauthorised History of Australia, which won the 2014 Indie Award for non-fiction and was shortlisted in both the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Australian Book Industry Awards. True Girt, the sequel, was published in 2016, as was a book for children, The Nose Pixies. David has a birthmark that looks like Tasmania, only smaller and not as far south.

Random Life is a collection of over 200 recent cartoons by much-loved cartoonist Judy Horacek. Drawn for her regular spot in the Age (and other publications wise enough to employ her), Judy’s ninth cartoon collection covers subjects as diverse as climate change, feminism, social media, fairy tales, Mondays and zebras.

Renowned environmental commentator, Anna Krien, visits the frontiers of Australia’s climate wars and notes PM Turnbull’s own-goals in what should have been his moment. As always, her insights into the government’s stance on climate is compelling and apposite.

Joining Anna in conversation will be Tasmanian academic and poet Pete Hay.

Join Anna and Pete for this necessary discussion at Fullers Bookshop.

Tickets are free but booking is essential as places may be limited. 

Come hear Toby Walsh talk about his new book describing the past, present and future of Artificial Intelligence.

Jeff Apter is the author of more than 20 books. His work includes biographies of the Finn brothers, Johnny O’Keefe, the Bee Gees, Marc Hunter, ‘Shirley’ Strachan, Silverchair, John Farnham and Keith Urban. His latest book is High Voltage: The Life of Angus Young. Jeff has also co-written and / or ghostwritten memoirs by the musicians Kasey Chambers, Richard Clapton and AC/DC’s Mark Evans, the boxer-turned-soldier Paul Warren and cricketer Michael Slater. Jeff helped with the memoir Somebody That I Used to Know: Love, Loss and Jack Thompson by Bunkie King, which was the bestselling non-fiction title in Australia on its release in early 2015. Jeff was also the creative consultant for the 2015 live show, A State of Grace: The Music of Tim and Jeff Buckley, which was nominated for a Helpmann award. Jeff lives in Wollongong.

What are the different factions of climate change activism, and how do they come together in cohesive action? Anna Krien (The Long Goodbye) and Indigenous climate activist Amelia Telford discuss the current state of climate change activism, and where it’s heading.

This is a free event. No bookings are required.

Drawing together neuroscientific research and memoir, journalist Jenny Valentish charts the world of substance use in her new book, Woman of Substances. Join her as she explores the gendered experience of drug and alcohol addiction. With Kate Holden.

In the age of Netflix, TV shows are ready-made for bingeing. How has this changed screenwriting methods? Reach for the popcorn with Megan Abbott (The Deuce), Brodie Lancaster (No Way! Okay, Fine) and Benjamin Law (The Family Law) as they explore the influence of viewer trends on television.

Across long careers, Kate Grenville, Judy Horacek and Leah Purcell have excelled in their fields of literature, political cartoons and playwriting. Meet these brilliant creative women and discover how they have pushed their creative boundaries to continue redefining career success over time.

With the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, will humans become redundant in the workplace? Rutger Bregman, Simon Longstaff, Toby Walsh and Ally Watson discuss the future of worklessness, and its implications for class and social equality.

How does investigative journalism fit into the current media landscape of 24-hour news and infotainment? New Yorker writer David Grann and Buzzfeed’s Christine Kenneally examine longform’s function, future and funding

Through audio, video and live storytelling, hear the urgent and necessary first-person narratives from narrators living inside immigration detention on Manus Island and Nauru.

This is a free event. No bookings are required.

Presented in partnership with Right Now.

Explore the life of George Orwell – and his last and greatest novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four – with acclaimed Australian writer Dennis Glover, who has reimagined the classic novelist’s final years through fiction in The Last Man in Europe.

This is a free event, but bookings are required.

Facing relentless discrimination, social stigma and violence, women are expected to succeed in a system that actively works against them. Anni Hine Moana, Zoe Morrison and Jenny Valentish explore the patriarchal structures exacerbating women’s mental ill-health.

Hear from an AFL star as Collingwood player Emma King joins Nicole Hayes and Alicia Sometimes (authors of A Footy Girl’s Guide) to discuss the rise of women’s football. Find out what it means to play footy ‘like a girl’!

The second-generation Australian experience is reflected in many new works of literature. How does an understanding of place, home and family inform storytelling – and increase understanding about migration? Randa Abdel-Fattah, Maxine Beneba Clarke, AS Patrić and Alice Pung explore.

How did Australian politics get to its current demoralised state? What needs to change for good governance to return? Join journalists George Megalogenis and Laura Tingle as they explore the past, present and future of Australian politics.

How is the experience of Alzheimer’s disease – as patient, carer or onlooker – reflected in fiction? Rachel Khong (Goodbye, Vitamin) and Harriet McKnight (Rain Birds) explore the condition’s effect on family, friends and loved ones in their debut novels.

What’s more important in politics: personality or policy? Judith Brett (The Enigmatic Mr Deakin), Rebecca Huntley (Still Lucky) and Laura Tingle (In Search of Good Government) discuss what makes a great politician – and what happens when personal ambition is put ahead of party priorities.

Housing has become favoured for investment over shelter, with Australians accumulating larger amounts of debt in order to purchase property. What stress is this placing on the economy, and what is the effect on homelessness and other inequality? Lyn Craig, Glyn Davis and George Megalogenis investigate.

From Pauline Hanson to the United Patriots Front, Australian right-wing extremism is flourishing. How did we get here – and what’s next? Go behind the headlines with Anna Broinowski, Stan Grant and David Marr to discover more about the rise of conservatism in Australia.

Celebrate the very best in new Australian fiction with Readings. Hear from Melanie Cheng (Australia Day), Jennifer Down (Pulse Points) and Ryan O’Neill (Their Brilliant Careers), who will each read a short story from their collections.

Dennis Glover (The Last Man in Europe), Ryan O’Neill (Their Brilliant Careers) and Marija Peričić (The Lost Pages) explore the lives and motivations of literary figures real and imagined. From Kafka to Orwell, discover the appeal – and sometimes absurdity – of writers writing about writers.

Celebrate local YA with the best in the biz! #LoveOzYA authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Ellie Marney and Alice Pung discuss the importance of representation, telling Australian stories and why YA is important for teens and adults alike. With Danielle Binks.

Random Life is a collection of over 200 recent cartoons by much-loved cartoonist Judy Horacek. Drawn for her regular spot in the Age (and other publications wise enough to employ her), Judy’s ninth cartoon collection covers subjects as diverse as climate change, feminism, social media, fairy tales, Mondays and zebras.

Jeff Apter is the author of more than 20 books, many dealing with the world of music. He has written biographies of Keith Urban, the Finn brothers, Johnny O’Keefe, Jeff Buckley and the Bee Gees. As ghostwriter, he has worked with Kasey Chambers, AC/DC’s Mark Evans and Richard Clapton. He was also the creative consultant for the Helpmann Award–nominated live production A State of Grace: The Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley and spent four years on staff at Rolling Stone Australia.

Started in 2015, the focus of the St Albans Writers’ Festival is to bring Australian writers and writing to our tiny village, so that residents and visitors can enjoy an intimate weekend of words. We pride ourselves on the warmth of our welcome and the atmosphere our community creates. It is an unique experience for writers and visitors.

Writing styles have altered over the years. Should an historical novelist cater for the tastes of 21st Century readers by introducing modern expressions and dialogue in their novels? Is it valid to introduce current sensibilities to characters who would otherwise have been constrained by their own societies? Authors Kate Mildenhall, Melissa Ashley, Greg Pyers and Luke Devenish discuss with Eleanor Limprecht  how historical novels have changed over time, and how they approach writing authentic characters true to their period.

Feminism stands at the forefront of Australian policial, social and economic rhetoric. Our panelists write from diverse experiences in Australia, America and Iran; exploring representations of women in fiction, as mothers and in the fashion, escort and modelling industries.

Learnability Professional Development, UWA Cultural Precinct, City of Perth Library and Boffins Books and pleased to invite you to attend a compelling public discussion featuring Benjamin Law on Sexuality, Schools and the Media.

Are Australian schools safe? And if they’re not, what happens when kids are caught in a bleak collision between ill-equipped school staff and a confected media scandal?

In 2016 the Safe Schools program became the centre of an ideological firestorm. In QE67 Benjamin Law explores how and why this happened. He weaves a subtle, gripping account of schools today, sexuality, teenagers, new ideas of gender fluidity, tabloid media scares and mental health.

Looking at the perils for those of uncertain or shamed sexual identity, and bullying of the vulnerable young, he brings to light hidden worlds, in an essay notable for its humane clarity.

This presentation will be chaired by Professor Tedd Snell, Chief Cultural Officer, UWA Cultural Precinct. 

Harriet McKnight’s work has been shortlisted for the 2014 Overland VU Short Story Prize, the 2015 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, and the 2016 Overland Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize. She works as Managing Editor of The Canary Press. Rain Birds is her debut novel.

Celebrate the launch of Harriet McKnight's debut novel Rain Birds, a powerful story about love, grief and loss, one that examines personal tragedy set against global and environmental responsibilities. To be launched by Melanie Joosten.

Benjamin Law and Mary Lou Rasmussen will be in conversation on Benjamin's new Quarterly Essay, Sexuality, Schools and the Media , which asks "Are Australian schools safe?" And if they're not, what happens when kids are caught in a bleak collision between ill-equipped school staff and a confected media scandal?

Book signings will take place at 6pm before the conversation and then again after. This event is free.

On our climate change panel, experts will shine a factual light on the contemporary Australian climate debate, alongside authors of speculative fiction who have imagined our future as one of desolate landscapes, resource scarcity and threatened species.

Jeff Apter is the author of more than 20 books, many dealing with the world of music. He has written biographies of Keith Urban, the Finn brothers, Johnny O’Keefe, Jeff Buckley and the Bee Gees. As ghostwriter, he has worked with Kasey Chambers, AC/DC’s Mark Evans and Richard Clapton. He was also the creative consultant for the Helpmann Award–nominated live production A State of Grace: The Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley and spent four years on staff at Rolling Stone Australia.

The contemporary wellness movement encourages active participation in dieting, exercise, alternative medicine and mindfulness, in order to improve physical and mental health. Our panel will discuss wellness from a number of view points, and answer the questions you may have as a result of your own search for wellness.

Heather Ellis has worked as a radiation safety technician, a motorcycle courier, a journalist for News Ltd and in communications for an NGO. She lives near Melbourne with her three children, and is currently writing the sequel to Ubuntu while working as a freelance journalist and professional speaker. And she still rides motorcycles.

Heather Ellis, Melbourne author will hold an author talk and slide show at the Hotel Soho for her book, Ubuntu: One Woman’s Motorcycle Odyssey Across Africa. An extraordinary tale of adventure, courage and personal growth; the message of Ubuntu will stay with you long after you finish this amazing read. 

ATTENTION ADVENTURERS!

Make your way to Riverbend on Friday November 3rd at 6.30pm to hear from  Michael Smith, the first person to fly solo around the world in an amphibious plane!! Learn about the epic seven month adventure which took him to the farthest reaches of the globe , often risking his life to make modern aviation history.

Don't miss this chance to hear from a truly intrepid Australian, as he recounts tales from his book, Voyage of the Southern Sun. You just might be inspired to take a journey of your own...!

Technology plays a pivotal role in our daily lives; in the way we work, communicate, shop and spend our time. This panel explores surveillance, connectivity, the changing workplace and the role of technology in consumerism.