20 event recommendations for attending EWF’s 20th anniversary
Celebrate 20 years of the Emerging Writers’ Festival with us by exploring twenty events from their 2023 program.
1. Xoxo | 6pm, 15 June at Meat Market
The literary world is filled with gossip, rumours and feuds, and EWF is offering a peak in on all the drama. Well, not quite – some of EWF’s favourite writers are gathering at Meat Market to share their most scandalous fictional gossip, their juiciest fake feuds, and most dramatic of imagined literary dramas.
2. The Sun, The Moon, The Stars | 7pm, 15 June at The Channel
Gossip not your thing? Then spend your Thursday night at The Channel with emerging and established First Nations writers who have summoned up their writing magic to share stories of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars in diverse forms.
In partnership with Blak & Bright and Arts Centre Melbourne.
3. Voiceworks #129 ‘Static’ Launch Party | 7pm, 17 June at Café Gummo
Come celebrate Voiceworks’ 35th birthday and the launch of issue #129 ‘Static’ at this special launch event which will feature contributors from this amazing issue, and a pop-up library of past Voiceworks issues. Come check out the retrospective of Voiceworks across the decades.
In partnership with Express Media.
4. EWF X AMWP: Spillways | 7pm, 21 June at Immigration Museum
Join EWF and the Australian Multilingual Writing Project at the Immigration Museum for a line-up of more languages than there are artists. In this fluid display of literature, writers will perform in Urdu, Hindi, French, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, English and Spanish to promise an evening of waterworks.
In partnership with Museums Victoria.
5. Writeability: Self-told Stories | 11am, 23 June at Kathleen Syme Library
Historically, disabled people have been talked and written about— their stories have been told by others. This EWF panel features writers who have lived experience of disability reflecting on writing today. Join them as they discuss Own Voices writing, intersectionality and navigating the literature industry.
In partnership with Writers Victoria & City of Melbourne libraries.
6. On Intergenerational Stories | 6pm, 22 June at The Wheeler Centre
Family stories don’t belong to just one person so of course, when setting out to tell their story, Lamisse and Hazem Hamouda wrote theirs together. EWF brings together two writers – father & daughter – to discuss the intergenerational approach to their co-written book, The Shape of Dust.
Presented in partnership with Pantera Press.
7. I Got a Story to Tell: Hip-Hop & Literature | 2pm, 23 June at Section 8
Created in New York City by Black and Brown residents, Hip-Hop is a universal voice for the voiceless, including those from First Nations and multicultural backgrounds here in so-called-Australia. Curated by Richell-Prize winning writer Simone Jordan, and hosted by Rachael Evans (COMPLEX Magazine), join Simone, Mawunyo Gbogbo (Hip-Hop & Hymns) and Hau Latukefu (KING) for deeply compelling conversation about the ties between music, culture and literature. Stick around for a lineup of DJs and MCs.
In partnership with Section 8.
8. EWF X Dinner Party Press: From Page to Stage | 2pm, 19 June at Willows & Wine
Immerse yourself alternate styles of erotica and push yourself outside your comfort zone by bringing your erotic prose or poetry to build into something you’re ready to share with the room.
In partnership with Dinner Party Press.
9. Scream Scenes | 8pm, 19 June at Thornbury Picture House
EWF gets spooky at Thornbury Picture House! prepare for an evening of spooky and silly stories backdropped by matching cinema projections. Dress up in your scariest horror garb, mingle with fellow ghouls, and listen to a lineup of readings sure to make your hair stand on end.
In partnership with Thornbury Picture House.
10. Birthday Party! | 6pm, 18 June at Peachy Keen
Celebrate EWF’s 20th birthday with another literary festival turning 20 this year – Willy Lit Fest! Both festivals will have their incumbent artistic directors in conversation with the founders of their festivals, two decades ago. And what’s a party without a slice of cake?
In partnership with Williamstown Literary Festival.
11. Beyond Solitude | 11am, 22 June at The Wheeler Centre
The romantic vision of the solo artists persists. However, loneliness is antithetical to being a writer, and our work is enriched by community. In this panel, RMIT students and staff exchange ideas, skills, and viewpoints on stimulating creativity, and fostering connections.
In partnership with RMIT University.
12. On Being Published | 6pm, 21 June at The Wheeler Centre
Learn about the rigorous and collaborative process of editing and publishing literature from Sasha Kutabah Sarago, author of Gigorou, in conversation with Pantera editor and publisher Lex Hirst.
In partnership with Pantera Press.
13. AI: T/truth | 10:30am, 22 June online
EWF goes global, bring together three trans/queer writers to discuss the complex connections between Truth, genre, and identity within their own work.
14. How to Make an Enemy | 9pm, 20 June at Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
EWF is giving you the chance to make an enemy for life. Half-masterclass, half-performance-spectacle on wreaking havoc in the literary scene, join local writers and poets for an oral history on literary bastardry, and an education in charming your poetry enemies.
15. On Collectivity | 6pm, 20 June at The Wheeler Centre
Learn about the editor-writer relationship in this one-on-one conversation that will take you through what it is like to develop work, to editing and publication.
In partnership with Pantera Press.
16. Re-forming the Field | 1pm, 20 June at State Library Victoria
Curious about sports writing? Hear these sports-focused writers and artists explore pathways to sports writing, representation in sport storytelling, the creative possibilities in sport and how we can use sport to tell our stories.
In partnership with State Library Victoria.
17. Into the Hybrid: A Dialogue of New Works | 11am, 20 June at The Wheeler Centre
Before you head to the State Library for sport writing, stop by The Wheeler Centre to hear from writers working the digital space, sharing new hybrid-multimedia work. Followed by a powerful discussion about their work, digital practices, and the process, vision and inspiration behind them.
In partnership with Arts Access Victoria.
18. The Subtleties of Podcasting | 12pm, 18 June at The Channel
Podcasting is the medium of the moment, but a great deal of preparation and intention is required to stand out. Podcast and radio host Nana Owusu shares the biggest lessons she’s learnt; how to plan, invite and interview guests as well as promote your own podcast.
In partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne.
19. Masterclass: Genre Fiction | 10am, 19 June online
Genre fiction is the bread and butter of the book industry. Join this group of remarkable writers for a day of everything genre fiction – from applying research in your work, to the differences between types of fiction and the way they are marketed. Each session provides writers with tools and information they can apply to their own genre fiction practice, be it in romance or fantasy, historical fiction or crime writing.
20. Westside Writers Salon | 4:30pm, 18 June at Williamstown Town Hall
Celebrating their shared 20th birthday, EWF is teaming up once more with Williamstown Literary Festival. Hear four exceptional writers from the West share selections from their most recent works, live at Williamstown’s beautiful Town Hall.
In partnership with Williamstown Literary Festival.
