Putting Pen to Paper: C&G’s Guide to the Melbourne Writers’ Festival

“If you want to be a writer you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Stephen King’s wise words are gospel for many aspiring writers but even they get tired of pushing paper! It’s time to rest those deskbound typing fingers of yours and to get involved with the Melbourne Writers’ Festival. Immerse yourself in the imagination of authors and the passion of the page pursuer, and discover MWF’s most engaging events with C&G today.

Every story needs a beginning. The Melbourne Writers’ Festival tale began in 1986, and is held annually in August. Its two-week program  presents a wealth of events - including workshops, exhibitions, conversations with authors, editors and publishers and much more.  

This year the opening night address is hosted by iconic Australian author Helen Garner, who has penned a variety of genres including fiction, non-fiction and screenplays. Exclusive to the festival, Garner speaks about her new book that details the trial of Robert Farquharson. 

One of the most prolific authors featured at the festival is Sir Salman Rushdie (pictured above as a much younger man,) famous for his controversial tome The Satanic Verses. Join him at Arthur Streeton Auditorium, as he discusses his prestigious career and the controversy surrounding it. 

Do your kids devour their bedtime stories, and always ask for “just one more”? Some of Australia’s most popular children’s authors - such as Jackie French, Morris Gleitzman and Terry Denton - are hosting an event aimed especially at cultivating and celebrating your little reader.  

Join the Australian Centre and Australian Catholic University in applauding our authors, with two awards to be presented during the festival, commending writers’ achievements in both poetry and genre fiction.

Normally, it would seem unusual to combine exercise with reading- but not in this case! There are several walks that journey through the city to explore the depths of the bibliophile biosphere. From the famous haunts of Bohemian writers and artists, to indigenous dreamtime stories and looking at Melbourne through a filmic lens, these walks provide a unique experience to readers who are usually inclined to stay curled up at home with their book.