Brisbane Writers Festival reveals 2017 Program

BWF Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVOSince 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, attracting more readers, writers and thinkers, 2017 will be no exception as from 6 – 10 September, the Festival welcomes over 100 authors in celebration of the shared love of literature to State Library of Queensland.

“I consider it a great honour to be custodian of this important literary event and am so looking forward to sharing it with you,” said  Artistic Director Zoe Pollock. “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.

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 worldview; British journalist and documentary producer Adrian Levy, who shares his landmark work and the extraordinary inside story of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda; and  Korean/American writer Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko, 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, 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 exclusive 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!

Homegrown 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 Bryce 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.

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.

The 2017 Brisbane Writers Festival runs 6 – 10 September at the State Library of Queensland and various libraries around Brisbane. For more information and full program, visit: www.uplit.com.au for details.

Image: Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO