The program for the 2014 Melbourne Writers Festival is revealed to the public today. I was lucky enough to see it in advance and have been hanging out to share some of my picks for the sessions I particularly want to attend. It was hard to cull them down, but I did my best.
They’re below – and I’m speaking as well! Check the last session.
(Italics denote text taken from the MWF website.)
Maria Popova: Brain Pickings
Creator of hugely popular blog Brain Pickings, with millions of hits every day, Maria Popova surfaces from the blogosphere to reveal the ethos of her human-powered discovery engine for interestingness. Created in 2006, Brain Pickings taps into the global pool of ideas, insights, knowledge and inspiration, to create extraordinary outcomes from contributing, cross-pollinating, connecting and combining the contents of our curious minds. In conversation with Esther Anatolitis.
{I love Brain Pickings – it’s one of my favourite websites, my go-to for literary and creative inspiration and knowlege.}
In Conversation: Favel Parrett
Acclaimed young writer Favel Parrett (Past the Shallows) travelled to Antarctica to research her latest novel, When the Night Comes. She shares her experience of this remarkable continent and her journey from the south east coast of Tasmania to critical literary success. In conversation with Jason Steger.
{I’ve long been fascinated with Antarctica and would love to hear Parrett’s thoughts about it.}
Talking Points: How TV Got Great
Television critics Emily Nussbaum (The New Yorker) and Melinda Houston (Fairfax) discuss the rise and rise of long form television and explore whether TV, with its exceptional writers, represents a new manifestation of the novel – to be experienced in chapters or binge-watched like an airport thriller. In conversation with Ronnie Scott.
{I’m a fan of Nussbaum’s – she wrote a tight critique on The Walking Dead (one of my favourite shows) that I couldn’t help but agree with. I like it when critics do that – it’s the sign of a good one.}
McSweeney’s Masterclass
Learn to craft stories with the panache of a McSweeney’s writer. Join Managing Editor Jordan Bass and Clara Sankey to learn the art and craft of writing for McSweeney’s magazine.
{Oh boy, oh boy. What an opportunity – three hours with the McSweeney’s folk!}
Why I Read
Brain Pickings creator Maria Popova, The Age literary editor Jason Steger and Faustina Agolley discuss the books that have inspired their love of reading, in an event about the power of stories and the ways they entwine with our lives. In conversation with Antoni Jach.
{I always love this kind of discussion.}
Australian Gothic Cinema
Successful and controversial Australian films Wolf Creek, Mad Max and Dead Calm have exposed the real and imagined dark side of our nation. Screenwriter/novelists Aaron Sterns and Terry Hayes discuss the role of cinema in creating an Australian Gothic. In conversation with Richard Watts.
{My Master’s thesis was on Gothic Literature – it’s a subject close to my heart. So is any extension – or workings within – that genre.}
The Fictional Woman: Tara Moss
Tara Moss has worn numerous labels including author, gold-digger, human rights activist, model, dumb blonde and feminist. In her new book The Fictional Woman, Tara reveals the facts behind her personal journey and challenges common fictions about contemporary women. In conversation with Benjamin Law.
{I love both Tara and Ben. This will be a powerful and inspiring session, I can just feel it.}
Sonnet-A-Thon
To celebrate the 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare, poet, memoirist and Australian Book Review editor, Peter Rose joins fellow poets Lisa Gorton and Jakob Zigarus in a delightful hour of readings and discussion of Shakespeare’s sonnets. In conversation with Peter Rose.
{Shakespeare! Sonnets! It’s free! What’s not to love?}
Creativity, Childhood & Reading
Founder of 826 Valencia, Dave Eggers and the man behind Footscray’s 100 Story Building, Lachlann Carter discuss the power of literacy to change young people’s lives and how their organisations are inspiring a generation of young people to develop a love of reading and writing.
{100 Story Building does such amazing work, and I’m so on board with the notion – truth – that literacy changes lives. Love, love. What Lachlann does is so impressive.}
Seminar: Blog to Book
Karen Andrews and Clint Greagen have both successfully transformed their blogs into books through a sweet book deal or self-publishing. Find out what you need to know to make your book dreams a reality and navigate the potentially lucrative world of blog-to-book writing. In conversation with Kate Larsen.
{Clint is a pal of mine, as is Kate, so this is going to be fun! If you have any questions about the blog-to-book journey, we’ll be talking about it for 90 minutes, so come armed with them!}
Are you going to go to the Festival?
