Readings Recommends at Melbourne Writers Festival 2019

This year at the Melbourne Writers Festival, you can see some of Readings’ very own staff members share their knowledge, experiences and prowess in a range of fascinating ‘Readings Recommends’ events.

All the Readings Recommends events will be held at the State Library of Victoria, Isabella Fraser Room, and all tickets are free.


Prize for New Australian Fiction

The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction highlights exceptional emerging talent in local literature. Two of the 2019 shortlisted authors join Readings programming manager and prize judge Christine Gordon to discuss their titles.

When: Sat 31 Aug, 10am


Young Adult Book Prize

Established in 2016, the Readings Young Adult Book Prize celebrates emerging voices in YA literature. In conversation with award-winning author and Readings staff member Leanne Hall, the 2019 winner will discuss their title in this special YA Day event.

When: Sun 1 Sep, 10am


Indigenous Non-Fiction

Academic Tyson Yunkaporta’s Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World asks how we might do things differently, while author Bruce Pascoe (Dark Emu) tries to redress the past. They offer a way of thinking about the future. With Readings’ bookseller Marie Matteson.

When: Fri 6 Sep, 10am


New Voices in Local Fiction

Alice Bishop’s A Constant Hum is a gripping tale of disaster; Angela Meyer’s A Superior Spectre is about the demon of curiosity; and JP Pomare’s Call Me Evie is a bestselling thriller. These debut Melbourne authors discuss their work with Readings head buyer Alison Huber.

When: Sat 7 Sep, 10am


50 Years of Australian Bookselling

The simple gesture of putting a book in someone’s hands can change a life, and no one knowsbetter than Readings managing director Mark Rubbo and veteran publisher Hilary McPhee. Theydiscuss the joys of connecting readers with writers – and vice versa.

When: Sun 8 Sep, 10am


You can find the full MWF 2019 program here.

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Cover image for A Constant Hum

A Constant Hum

Alice Bishop

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