First authors announced for 2019 Perth Festival Writers Week

The first authors and events have been announced for the 2019 Perth Festival Writers Week, which runs from 18-24 February.

‘Our Imagined Selves’ is the theme of the week, which explores ‘why your story is part of every story’.

Events include a session with Nigerian novelist and poet Ben Okri, who will talk about life, art, politics and his new novel The Freedom Artist (HarperCollins, February).

A panel of queer writers including Benjamin Law, cultural critic and DJ Madison Moore, and British-Spanish performer and cabaret artist Ursula Martine will discuss narratives of identity and family through their own stories and arts practice.

Sisonke Msimang will lead a panel discussion on ‘shaping stories from the stuff of life—and saving ourselves in the process’ with Trent Dalton, Carly Findlay, Future D Fidel and First Nations Canadian author Terese Marie Mailhot.

A Great Gatsby High Tea will be presented with live music from the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, and Law will also lead The Big Crazy Book Club, an ‘unashamedly unpredictable session where literary prejudices definitely won’t get in the way of a good story’.

Other guests include Monica McInerney, Anna Funder, Markus Zusak, Kate Morton, David Malouf, Gail Jones, Peter FitzSimons, Rodney Hall, Davina Bell, Liz Byrski, Eddie Woo, David Stratton, Ambelin Kwaymullina, Amy Sackville and Hugh McKay.

For the second year running, the program is curated by William Yeoman and will be held over a full week, based at the University of Western Australia’s Crawley campus and at the State Theatre.

The full program will be released on 10 January. Read more about the event here.

Category: Festivals Local news