2017 Brisbane Writers Festival program launched!
Since emerging onto the Queensland cultural landscape in 1962, the Brisbane Writers
Festival (BWF) has established a reputation for being one of Australia’s largest literary events.
Each year it attracts more readers, writers and thinkers and 2017 will be no exception as
from 6 – 10 September we welcome over 100 authors in celebration of our shared love
of literature to State Library of Queensland, the home of BWF!
In launching the 2017 program Artistic Director Zoe Pollock said, “I consider it a great
honour to be custodian of this important literary event and am so looking forward to
sharing it with you.
“I think we can all relate to the experience of losing ourselves in a world created by an author
and carrying with us the stories and experiences of those we read about, long after we have
finished the final page. At this year’s Festival, we invite you to explore how writers curate the
fictional and real worlds we enter, enriching our understanding of others and deepening our
sense of connection.”
One of many highlights on site at State Library of Queensland will be the bringing to life of
Alexis Wright’s critically acclaimed novel Carpentaria, which this year celebrates its tenth
anniversary. A large-scale interpretive artwork, inspired by Carpentaria’s main character Angel
Day, will be created by Gordon Hookey and located on the Maiwar Green. You are invited to
enter Angel’s Palace and immerse yourself in an incredible live literature experience for all
ages that has been made possible by the generosity of the Taylor family.
The impressive list of international authors landing at South Bank this September include
Indian-Canadian novelist Anosh Irani, who will look at how reading can transcend our world
view; British journalist and documentary producer Adrian Levy, who shares his landmark
work and the extraordinary inside story of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda; Korean/American
writer Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko who will explore how the past can impact the future
and how writing about it may be cathartic; Dutch historian Frank Dikotter, who specialises in
modern China and will explore the factors that have shaped this rising world power and what
we might expect next from the changing face of the People’s Republic; and exclusively to
BWF Argentinean born Mariano Sigman, a neuroscientist whose book The Secret Life of the
Mind unlocks the processes that control how we learn, reason, feel think and dream!
Home grown favourites are well represented with 50% of the 2017 program either originating
from or currently living in Queensland including Benjamin Law, Ashley Hay, Ben Hobson,
Quentin Byce AD CVO, Krissy Kneen and Lucy Clark. Another proud Queenslander,
activist, respected leader and advocate for Aboriginal rights, Alec Doomadgee will kick off
the Festival delivering the Marion Taylor opening address, speaking to the power of storytelling
in culture, building histories and understanding the world.
The ever popular workshops for writers such as 20 pages in 20 minutes are back on the
program, as well as an exciting new addition Literary Speed Dating which allows you 3
minutes to pitch your work to a roomful of publishers and agents
With thanks to Brisbane City Council and Logan City Council, BWF will be presenting our
FREE author events in libraries across Brisbane and Logan. These suburban events are always
popular so make sure you book early to catch your favourite author as places are limited.
If while on site at SLQ you find yourself in need of a place to unpack your big ideas, start
reading your new book, or recharge for your next session drop into the Top Shelf Bar and
Café. Located between GoMA and SLQ it will also be home for our FREE uplate events on
Friday and Saturday night.
LOVE YA at Brisbane Square Library on Saturday 9th September offers an unrivalled day of
interaction with young adult fiction superstars and fresh voices. In addition to panes and talks
there will be giveaways and games. A must for the young or just the young at heart.
There is something for everyone at BWF 2017 and this year our new ticketing options, which
include single and multiple day passes, allow you to come along for the authors you know and
love, but to also stay a little longer and discover something or someone new!
SLQ’s Library Shop is the official bookseller of Brisbane Writers Festival which represents a
great opportunity to purchase your book while on site and then jump in the line to get it signed
after your session!
When: 6 – 10 September
Where: State Library of Queensland (and various Libraries around Brisbane)
Tickets: Paid events – Single sessions from $15*;
1 Day Pass from $70; 2 Day Pass from $140; 3 Day Pass from $190
or Festival Friend Bundle (membership + 3 Day Pass)
*Become a Festival Friend and purchase your tickets at the lowest rate!
Bookings: uplit.com.au or 3255 0254 (Mon – Fri 10am to 4pm)
Visit uplit.com.au to browse, book events and discover more
credit Jennifer Embelton
