· Literary icon Helen Garner talking about her latest book, The Season, in which she follows her grandson’s under-16’s footy team. Garner’s sharp observations on ageing, family, masculinity, and the epic theatre of Australian football will be drawn out by author and critic Sean O’Beirne. SOLD OUT
· Kate Grenville, critically acclaimed author of The Secret River and The Idea of Perfection, discussing her new memoir Unsettled: A Journey Through Time and Place with Jason Steger
· Sustainability in a Changing Climate: Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis, co-founder of Milkwood Kirsten Bradley, and co-founder of permaculture David Holmgren on the challenges of our rapidly changing climate and how we can adapt our gardens and our lifestyles in a more uncertain world.
· You Gotta Laugh: Dip into books shortlisted for the inaugural John Clarke Prize for Humour Writing, and hear judging panelist Lorin Clarke (The Fitzroy Diaries, Would That Be Funny?) discussing why humour writing is hard and important with Sam Elkin, Gabiann Marin and Robert Skinner.
· Aussie Road Trips: Heather Ewart spilling the dirt on her travels around Australia hosting ABC TV’s Back Roads and writing her new book, The Great Aussie Road Trip, with travel writer Tim Richards.
· Truth Telling: New Perspectives on Australian History. Authors Kate Grenville and Jane Harrison (The Visitors), and historians Clare Wright (Näku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions) and Amanda Laugesen (Australia in 100 Words), exploring the reality behind Australia’s colonial myths with Barry Golding.
· Epic Fail: Media and Big Business. Media owner and journalist Eric Beecher (The Men Who Killed the News), employment lawyer Josh Bornstein (Working for the Brand), Overland co-editor Evelyn Araluen and journalist Nicole Chvastek discussing abuses of power by media moguls, repressive control over our personal lives, the threat of AI, and the erosion of democracy.
· Unmasking Neurodiversity: Autism, ADHD and dyslexia diagnoses are increasing, but society is still slow in supporting neurodiversity at home, school and work. Unpack the stereotypes and learn more about living with neurodiversity from Clem Bastow (Late Bloomer and Someone Like Me), Sarah Hayden (Parenting Different), Jess Ho (Someone Like Me) and chair Kim Percy.
· First Nations poets Jeanine Leane (Gawimarra: Gathering) and Stella Award-winner Evelyn Araluen (Dropbear) discuss their favourite words in First Nations languages from the collection Words to Sing the World Alive with artist Vicki Couzens.
· Writing Romantasy: Tropes and Hopes. Romantasy is the biggest book trend in the world. Is it a new idea or a new name for something that’s been around forever? Alexandra Almond (Thoroughly Disenchanted), Keshe Chow (The Girl with No Reflection) and Lili Wilkinson (Unhallowed Halls), discuss the genre with agent Alex Adsett.
· Cosy Crime: What makes us turn away from blood and gore and crave small towns, mysterious bookshops, and seaside resorts with eccentric characters? Join Sisters in Crime’s Jacqui Horwood as she discusses the joys of cosy mysteries with Amanda Hampson (The Tea Ladies series) and Aoife Clifford (It Takes a Town).
· Spinning Discs: Music is both universal and deeply personal. So how can you effectively write about this intimate aural experience? Kirsten Krauth (Almost a Mirror & The Kylie Playlist), Thuy On (The Kylie Playlist) and Jordan Prosser (Big Time) share musical musings, expertly mixed by RRR Breakfaster Daniel Burt.