Canberra is the book-buying capital of the country. Author Qin Qin and Canberra Writers Festival artistic director Beejay Silcox are prime examples of this, spending as much time as possible at the National Library of Australia. Photos: Alicia Webb.
Take a bow, Canberra; we are the most avid readers in the country. And we’re about to take centre stage with the 9th annual Canberra Writers Festival, which takes place over four days and 79 events.
Canberra Writers Festival artistic director Beejay Silcox says Canberra loves their reading so much we are the ‘biggest book buyers in the country’, and that is something to be celebrated.
Beejay says moving the festival to springtime was a great decision for them and the city.
“I’ve always said a writers festival should be a love letter to a city, and I deeply love this city, and spring is such a vibrant time of year, so it makes sense to hold the festival in the midst of it all,” Beejay says.
“There is so much more to Canberra than politics and hardcore investigative journalism.”
Running from 23 to 27 October, the festival’s new springtime programming will allow Canberrans to be the first in the country to get access to several highly anticipated books.
This year’s theme of passion will serve as the backdrop for the events showcasing more than 100 writers and thinkers, with nearly half of all participants being from the Canberra region.
Canberra crime writer Kaaron Warren, Noongar and Yawuru academic and storyteller Dr Elfie Shiosaki and educator and first-time memoir author Qin Qin will all be showing their latest works of literature as part of the festival, an opportunity they say they are all excited about.
Their books will be three of 80 new titles debuting at the festival, including 28 fiction/poetry titles and 50+ non-fiction titles, with more than half of these works being new releases published from July onwards.
Several November releases will be provided early for the festival audience.
Beejay says she is thrilled to see the excitement people experience over the course of the festival.
“I just live for the energy people have when they leave a room knowing they have just heard about the work of an author they might not have heard of before,” Beejay says.
“This year is going to be huge. Whether you’re passionate about culture, the wonders of language, the environment, crime and justice, sexual politics, journalistic integrity or social policy – or you just love a damn good story – this year’s festival has something that will spark your interest.”
Beejay says First Nations storytelling is the heartbeat of the festival, with more than 20 per cent of conversation events featuring First Nations voices.
The Canberra Writers Festival will be taking place at some of Canberra’s most iconic locations from 23 to 27 October.
To find out more about the festival and purchase your tickets, visit Canberra Writers Festival.
Original Article published by Jacqueline Lyons on Riotact.
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