The Dreamers – Friday September 6 at 4:00 pm
If you’ve ever been the victim of a wild, intensely vivid dream that felt a little bit too real, The Dreamers by New York Times bestselling author Karen Thompson Walker could be right up your alley. In her latest work, an isolated college town in the hills of Southern California is transformed by a mysterious contagion that locks victims in perpetual sleep and triggers extraordinary, life-altering dreams. Need to know more about what inspired this epic page-turner? Join Karen as she delves into The Dreamers and the mystery of our subconscious with Ashley Hay, award-winning novelist and essayist.
On Compassion – Friday September 6 at 7:00 pm
What is compassion? What compels us to help a fellow earth-dweller even when our gut is telling us to walk away? In this special Friday night lecture, join critically-acclaimed author Ann Weisgarber as she delves into the complexities of compassion and how we can tap into it through books and writing because after all, couldn’t we all use a little more of it? If you’ve ever had the pleasure of reading any of Ann’s novels – The Glovemaker, The Promise, The Personal History of Rachel Dupree – you know she’s a master for creating deeply complex and multilayered characters so you’re in for a real treat.
1919 – Saturday September 7 at 2:30 pm
It was the most intense of the riots that plagued America during the Red Summer of 1919 and yet surprisingly little is known about the Chicago race riot of 1919. In this emotional and powerful event, award-winning poet Dr. Eve L. Ewing explores the heart-breaking story of this event—which lasted eight days and resulted in thirty-eight deaths and almost 500 injuries—through poems recounting the stories of everyday people trying to survive and thrive in the city. Eve L. Ewing will be joined in conversation by Anne-Marie Te Whiu who is a Brisbane born Māori, cultural producer, editor and emerging writer.
Closing Address: Jasper Fforde – Sunday September 8 at 5:30 pm
Well, you know what they say about all good things and this year’s Brisbane Writer’s Festival is no exception. Join international literary superstar Jasper Fforde, master of imagination, as he delivers the much-anticipated closing address exploring the possibilities of what could happen if we dare to imagine. Famed for the hugely popular Thursday Next series, Jasper is known for his inventive wit so we suspect it’s going to be filled with more than a few zingers. A real must-see.
Brisbane Writers Festival is running from September 5–8 at the State Library of Queensland and a host of other venues – to see the amazing selection of ticketed and free events with spaces still available, head to the official website.
