If you're still wondering which events to attend, or perhaps looking to squeeze in another to an already packed personal program, we highly recommend attending one of the many excellent MWF panels that are on offer this year! These events showcase multiple authors and are just the thing for sparking great conversation and ideas around some of today's most pertinent topics. Below are six events that will illuminate and delight – without requiring any festival pre-reading.

Opening Night: I’ve Been Away for a While

For the Opening Night event, five of the most remarkable writers in the world take to the stage at Melbourne Town Hall to deliver their unique takes on this year’s Festival theme: ‘I’ve been away for a while’. Hear from Random House copy chief and author of Dreyer’s English Benjamin Dreyer, renowned photographer and nonfiction writer Bill Hayes (Insomniac City, Sweat: A History of Exercise), prize-winning writer and critic Sarah Krasnostein (The Believer, The Trauma Cleaner), Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money (how to make a basket) and award-winning filmmaker and Kaytetye man Warwick Thornton (Samson & Delilah, The Beach).

When: Thursday 4 May, 6pm

Where: Melbourne Town Hall

Tickets: $35–$40, book here

Queering the Canon

Queer writing is more vital than ever, but what are the perspective-shifting texts that have inspired and uplifted today’s authors? Hear from a stellar line-up of local and international queer writers as they share insight into the stories that have shaped how they think and write about sexuality and gender. Critically acclaimed Noongar writer Claire G. Coleman (Enclave, Terra Nullius), copy chief at Random House and author of Dreyer’s English Benjamin Dreyer, acclaimed photographer and writer Bill Hayes (Insomniac City), award-winning writer of poetry, fiction and memoir Kris Kneen (Fat Girl Dancing, The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen), and proud Gunai woman and award-winning multidisciplinary artist Kirli Saunders dip into the queer canon in conversation with host Maeve Marsden.

When: Saturday 6 May, 4:30pm

Where: The Capitol

Tickets: $30–$35, book here

MWF Big Debate: Sport vs Literature

Melburnians are just as likely to be found kicking a footy as reading a book, but when it comes to sport and literature, which one really matters the most? Do iconic on-field moments measure up to the impact of decade-defining books? Should we be funding writers like we do athletes? And who actually gets access to sporting and literary spaces? Two teams of our wisest and wittiest minds make the case for each side in this year’s Big Debate, brought to you by First Nations Curator Ellen van Neerven. Sporting fanatics Osman Faruqi, George Megalogenis and Chelsea Watego go up against literature lovers John Harvey, Toni Jordan and Shelley Ware, under the careful eye of adjudicator Nayuka Gorrie. Hosted by Tarneen Onus Browne.

When: Saturday 6 May, 6:30pm

Where: The Capitol

Tickets: $30–$35, book here

Running Writing

From squats to spell-checks, writers can be (perhaps surprisingly) as much a gym rat as a literary luminary. Join Ailsa Piper as she speaks to a panel of writers who hit the pavement as much as the pages about the relationship between body, mind and creativity. Featuring Tony Birch (Ghost River, Dark As Last Night), Bill Hayes (Sweat: A History of Exercise, Insomniac City) and Chelsea Watego (Another Day in the Colony).

When: Sunday 7 May, 10:30am

Where: State Library Conversation Quarter

Tickets: $20–$25, book here

Sentimental Journeys

As Australians return to their former travelling lives, a panel of our most intrepid voyagers come together to discuss the purpose and pleasure of travel. How does it help us cultivate connection in the world, what makes for a truly great trip, and was Paul Theroux right when he said, ‘Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travellers don’t know where they’re going’? Host of Conversations and author of Ghost Empire and The Book of Roads and Kingdoms Richard Fidler, acclaimed writer of poetry, fiction and memoir Kris Kneen (The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen, Fat Girl Dancing), cook, writer and broadcaster Adam Liaw and co-author of Loving Country Vicky Shukuroglou talk all things travel, with Sally Warhaft.

When: Sunday 7 May, 12pm

Where: The Capitol

Tickets: $30–$35, book here

Writers on Writers: Readers of Australian Literature

The Writers on Writers series has become an indispensable fixture in the literary calendar, with leading authors penning their reflections on Australian writers who have inspired and influenced them. Learn about the motivation behind the collection, how authors tackle the intimidating task of writing about their heroes, and what readers gain from having fresh light shone on past treasures. Hear from Black Inc publisher Chris Feik, contributor to the series, Nam Le (On David Malouf), and ABC Radio National’s The Bookshelf host Kate Evans as they chat with the Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature, author Tony Birch.

When: Sunday 7 May, 4:30pm

Where: State Library Conversation Quarter

Tickets: $20–$25, book here