Queenscliffe Literary Festival

The QLF is proud to present Clementine Ford in conversation about her new memoir: How We Love, Notes on a Life with local writer Maria Takolander.

Two of our finest novelists discuss the turmoil left by war and its secrets. Favel Parrett's There Was Still Love is a love letter to women who bind families together, despite dislocation and distance. Steven Conte's The Tolstoy Estate, is set in Russia during the doomed German invasion. Favel Parrett, Steven Conte Chair: Maria Takolander

A descendant of the planet's oldest living culture, Susan Moylan-Coombs share ancient knowledge and wisdoms passed down orally through the generations. Susan Moylan-Coombs Proudly supported by the Australian Governments Regional Art Fund and Regional Arts Victoria.

From the backblocks of Perth to international stardom, David McAllister (Soar) reflects on his triumphant life in ballet and in love. David McAllister in conversation with Pauline Nunan

Celebrated author of Unpolished Gem, Alice Pung (One Hundred Days) and Gina Wilkinson (When Apricots Bloom - inspired by her own experiences in Iraq) confront the complexities of friendship and love in their outstanding new novels. Alice Pung, Gina Wilkinson Chair: Maria Takolander

For beloved comedian Judith Lucy, a broken heart became the catalyst for a complete existential meltdown. Nearly fifty, suddenly alone and unsure about every aspect of her life, she decided to figure out what went wrong and then turn her attention to finding out what her life might look like if it went right. Judith Lucy in conversation with Kaz Cooke Kindly supported by Provenance Wines

Our nation's most prophetic economist shows how the COVID-19 crisis offers Australia the opportunity to reset its economy and build a successful future - and reveals why the old approaches will not work. Ross Garnaut in conversation with Kitty Walker

Max is Alex Miller's widely acclaimed tribute to friend and Jewish Nazi-Resistance figure Max Blatt. Alex Miller in conversation with Tom Griffiths

Award-winning science reporter Jonica Newby (Beyond Climate Grief) explores the emotional turmoil brought on by climate change in her often funny and deeply moving personal story. Jonica Newby in conversation with Josie Horne

The accidental discovery of a mother's secret makes a daughter rethink everything she knows. A dramatised reading of a powerful new one act play by local writer Pip Kainey, followed by a Q&A with Pip, director Nic Velissaris and performer Jenny Seedsman PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREATIVE VICTORIA AND REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA

Join former journalist Chris Hammer, now an award-winning and internationally acclaimed author of Scrublands, Silver and Trust, for the story behind our new favourite thrillers. Chris Hammer in conversation with Christian White

In The Believer, multi-award-winning author of - The Trauma Cleaner Sarah Krasnostein brings her trademark blend of curiosity and empathy to explore the power of belief to shape our lives. Sarah Krasnostein in conversation with Sarah L'Estrange

Maggie Stowers tells previously untold stories of Queenscliff's fishing families, from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to fishing folk of the 1930s. With the Queenscliffe Historical Museum Maggie Stowers in conversation with Lesley Alway

Sofie Laguna, multi award-winning author of The Choke, discusses her latest novel, Infinite Splendours. Set in the Grampians, this is a wise and compassionate portrait of a man finding meaning in art and nature after a catastrophic boyhood betrayal. Sofie Laguna in conversation with Jason Steger

The Queen, the Governor-General and the Dismissal of a Prime Minister Hear from Jenny Hocking (The Palace Letters) on her fight for access to hidden correspondence about the greatest constitutional crisis in our history. Jenny Hocking in conversation with Pauline Parker

An introduction for anyone wanting to write a memoir or tell family stories. Michael Cathcart and Hannie Rayson Kindly supported by The Breeze Point Lonsdale

ABC Radio presenter Michael Cathcart and playwright Hannie Rayson delve into the extraordinary treasure-house mind of the 'Kid from Kogarah' with readings, stories and more. Hannie Rayson and Michael Cathcart

Kate O'Donnell (This One is Ours) and Nina Kenwood (It Sounded Better in My Head) discuss why today's YA readers respond to age-old romance despite the complexity of their lives. In conversation with internationally renowned local romance writer Marion Lennox. Kate O'Donnell, Nina Kenwood In conversation with Marion Lennox

Rick Morton, author of the acclaimed memoir One Hundred Years of Dirt, discusses his recent journey to rediscover love and show how we can't live without it - even if, as Rick did for many years, we think we can. Rick Morton in conversation with Misha Ketchell

Nikki Gemmell (the Ripping Tree) and Meg Keneally (The Wreck) embark on very different fictional paths to tell tales of immense courage and survival in colonial Australia. Meg Keneally, Nikki Gemmell Chair: Jock Serong

Revolutions never start at the top. If we dare to dream of a more loving country, we must each live as if we already inhabit that country. In his wise and inspiring new book, Australia's most respect social psychologist, Hugh Mackay, dares to think of a more loving country. Hugh Mackay in conversation with Hilary Harper

Strong bonds with nature bring humanity, love and compassion to the fore. Proceeds from book sales go to the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Meg Keneally (co-editor) Emma Viskic (contributor) Chair: Jill Swanson

Misha Ketchell, editor of The Conversation (ANZ), Nikki Gemmell, author and columnist for - The Australian Magazine, and Rick Morton, author and journalist, discuss the rapid changes in the media landscape. Nikki Gemmell, Rick Morton Chair: Misha Ketchell

Emma Viskic (Darkness for Light) and JP Pomare (Tell Me Lies) discuss why edgy, scary fiction is so enjoyable and why a Melbourne setting suits the genre so perfectly. Emma Viskic, JP Pomare Chair: Jock Serong

Enjoy a fabulous meal cooked from recipes in Alice Zaslavsky's superb new book and hear from Alice herself in conversation with Matt Preston

Queenscliffe Literary Festival 2021 Program Launch with special guest author, Pip Williams. Join Australia’s newest literary sensation, Pip Williams as she talks about her celebrated novel The Dictionary of Lost Words and shares stories from her charming memoir: One Italian Summer. In The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams delves into the archives of the Oxford English Dictionary to find tales of missing words and the lives of women lived between the lines.

Ross Garnaut, Australia’s leading thinker on climate and energy policy offers a road map for a low carbon future. Ross Garnaut in conversation with Susan Moylan-Coomb Ticket: $30.00

Buy and Save! 1 x Weekend ticket to ALL events Saturday 23rd May & Sunday 24th May 2020 to the 2020 Queenscliffe Literary Festival.

Marion Lennox (local internationally renowned romance author), and Rachel Givney (Jane in Love) discuss romance in fiction, and romantic fiction in the lives of readers. Marion Lennox and Rachel Givney facilitated by Kate Cuthbert

Vicki Hastrich is happiest in her tinny on the Brisbane Waters. In her captivating memoir (Night Fishing) this philosopher scientist shares aspects of her life through a mesmerising watery lens. Vicki Hastrich in conversation with Charlotte Wood

Presented in conjunction with Queenscliff Library and Geelong Regional Library Corporation Heather Rose (Bruny) and JP Pomare (In the Clearing) look to reality in these superb works of imagination. Heather Rose and JP Pomare facilitated by Maria Takolander

A descendant of the planet’s oldest living culture, Susan Moylan-Coombs shares ancient knowledge and wisdoms passed down orally through the generations. Susan Moylan-Coombs

Novelists Nina Kenwood (It Sounded Better in My Head) and Lisa Ireland (The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan) on passion, desire and the thorny path to happiness. Nina Kenwood and Lisa Ireland facilitated by Jodi McAlister

One of Australia’s finest writers, Charlotte Wood (The Weekend), discusses her latest novel about friendship, growing older and the comforting lies we tell ourselves. Charlotte Wood in conversation with Maria Takolander Includes the announcement of the winners of the QLF Secondary School Writing Prize.

Presented with Writers Victoria and dedicated to the memory of Beverley Farmer. The panel will discuss the ways our beautiful state inspires and informs settings for their novels. JP Pomare, Nina Kenwood, Lisa Ireland and Katherine Kovacic facilitated by Angela Savage

Whether it’s fantasy, romance, crime, or sci-fi you’ll learn about genre expectations and when to break them, how to combine different genres, and why genre fiction is fun. (For ages 12-18). Jodi McAlister

Whether you are writing fiction or non- fiction, an authentic sense of place helps bring your story to life. Learn how to use setting to engage readers and enhance your story. Angela Savage

Sophie Cunningham (City of Trees) and Kate Legge (Kindred, A Cradle Mountain Love Story) on love, need and the enduring power of nature to inspire and nurture all of us. Kate Legge and Sophie Cunningham facilitated by Sarah L’Estrange

Buy and Save! 1 x Weekend ticket to ALL events Saturday 16th May & Sunday 17th May 2020 to the 2020 Queenscliffe Literary Festival.

Meeting My Mother explores the stories we tell each other as a family and the secrets that we keep from each other. This new play by Barwon Heads playwright, Pip Kainey, is performed by Australian veteran actor, Jenny Seedsman and directed by Nic Velissaris. An audience Q&A session with the actor, director and playwright will follow the 1-hour performance.