Canberra's Literary Weekend

On Friday 10th of July an event of literary proportions opens in Canberra. The ACT Writers Centre is organizing a 3 day Literary Long Weekend. To an English geek like me, that’s like waving a pair of Manolo Blahniks at Carrie Bradshaw.

The entire first day of the forum is devoted to practical advice. The sessions have titles like Marketing Your Book and Not Just Polishing Your Prose: What Your Editor Can Do For You. The next two days are crammed like an overflowing wardrobe with literary seminars, forums, and debates. Cue the Homer Simpson drool of excitement.

To find out a little more I spoke to Shane Maloney (author of the popular Murray Whelan crime series) who will participate in a forum on Writers and the Public World. Half of the festival seems geared towards the aspiring Shakespeare.

Writing is a fairly solitary occupation, why come out of the bookshelf and participate? Yes, writing ‘is extremely individual. That’s what we look for in novels. An individual's take on and perspective on the world.’

But, ‘you can spend a lot of time at home biting your own leg off. It can be helpful to sit down with your half chewed leg to discuss the same issues and same kind of problems.’ The festival is not an exclusively book snob only affair though.

The festival’s debates and seminars cater for everyone from the politically inclined, to us fans hoping for a glimpse of our favourite author. Fans will get a chance to hear from literary celebs such as former Monthly editor Sally Warhaft, Underbelly screenwriter Felicity Packard, and Frank Moorhouse.

But don’t expect an easy ride. Serious debates may, and will arise. ‘There’s one thing that concerns us very much and that is this plan by the government to put us out of work…This parallel importation business.’ An issue very close to Shane’s heart? ‘This is about confiscating the proceeds of literature and giving them to book chains.’ Watch out Borders, the authors are coming.

Finally, will Shane be available to talk to local fans, and maybe sign a book or two? ‘Part of the solitary business of writing is you don’t know who your readers are unless they come up to you... Absolutely I’d be interested in hearing back from everyone.’

The festival runs 10th–12th July. Only specified events will be free. See below timetables.

Working with your publisher seminar - Friday 10 July
(for program click here)

Words change worlds - Saturday 11 July
(for program click here)

Readers, Writers, Critics - Sunday 12 July
(for program click here)