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Melanie Cheng workshop, Australian Society of Authors (VIC)

A new year presents the opportunity to reset your writing routine, establish your goals, and resolve to meet them. However, actually sticking to your writing resolutions long-term when you have work, financial pressures, family, health, and other commitments competing for your time and attention can be extremely challenging. How do so many writers manage to do it?

Find out in this session with Melanie Cheng, general practitioner and writer with three books under her belt. Melanie will share her experience (the good and the bad!) of juggling writing with a busy professional and personal life and the insights she’s gained along the way.

In this session you will:

  • Identify your specific obstacles to writing regularly
  • Learn how to overcome those obstacles
  • Create realistic writing goals and resolutions in a supportive peer environment
  • Gain insight into how a working writer can productively balance their creative pursuits with their professional and personal commitments

Whether you’re planning to write a book in a year or are seeking simple strategies you can adopt straightaway, writers at any stage of their career will benefit from this opportunity to refresh their mindset and experiment with their writing habits.

There will be time for questions.

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Professor Clare Wright and Professor Frank Bongiorno: Truth-listening in a time of truth-telling

Step into the captivating world of history as Professor Clare Wright and Professor Frank Bongiorno come together for an illuminating conversation about Clare's latest book “Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions” and her groundbreaking body of work.

Known for her sharp insights and evocative storytelling, Clare Wright has redefined how we view Australia's past. From the hidden stories of women who shaped the nation's identity to unearthing pivotal moments that echo into today, her work is a treasure trove of discovery. Most recently, Clare has been appointed the new Chair of the National Museum of Australia Council.

Joining Clare is Professor Frank Bongiorno, an esteemed historian renowned for his eloquent analyses of Australia's social and political evolution. Together, they’ll delve into the themes, challenges, and triumphs that have defined Clare's career, offering a behind-the-scenes look at her latest masterpiece, the final instalment of her Democracy Trilogy.

Expect thought-provoking dialogue, rich anecdotes, and a celebration of the power of history to inform the future. Whether you're a lifelong history enthusiast or curious about the stories that shape our world, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Come ready to be inspired, challenged, and deeply moved. Reserve your spot now and be part of this remarkable exchange between two titans of historical storytelling!

There will be a Q&A session following the presentation, then light refreshments.
MCH members $15; Concession (Gov’t support and full-time students) $15; Non-members $20

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Helen Garner with Bruno Lettieri at Brighton Library (VIC)

Helen Garner needs little introduction, as her award-winning body of work is beloved, so we are thrilled to offer an opportunity to hear Helen in conversation with her friend and interviewer extraordinaire, Bruno Lettieri, to celebrate her latest book The Season.

It’s footy season in Melbourne, and Helen is following her grandson’s under-16s team. She not only goes to every game (give or take), but to every training session too, shivering on the sidelines at dusk, fascinated by the spectacle.

She’s a passionate Western Bulldogs fan who loves the epic theatre of AFL football. But her devotion to the under-16s offers her something else. This is her chance to connect with her youngest grandchild, to be close to him before he rushes headlong into manhood.

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Helen Garner with Beejay Silcox at Canberra Writers Festival (ACT)

One of Australia’s greatest writers visits Canberra to discuss her new work The Season. Each week Helen sits on the sidelines of training sessions and matches watching her grandson and his teammates tackle triumphs and defeats as they fight their way towards the finals.

 She’s a passionate Western Bulldogs fan (with an imperfect grasp of the rules) who loves the epic theatre of AFL football. But her devotion to the under-16s offers her something else. This is her chance to connect with her youngest grandchild, to be close to him before he rushes headlong into manhood. 

With her sharp eye, her generous wit and her warm humour, Garner documents this pivotal moment, both as part of the story and as silent witness. 

Join Helen Garner in conversation with CWF Artistic Director Beejay Silcox.

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Melanie Cheng at Western Port Writes (VIC)

The Family Lode: Family stories and why we love them

Family stories have a universal appeal, but each is different. Why do family relationships provide such a rich seam of material for writers and such captivating stories for readers —whether mirroring our own experiences or taking us into new worlds.

How do authors write about family dynamics? What do they draw on to create these compelling stories? Join three powerful writers, Tony Birch (Women & Children), Melanie Cheng (The Burrow) and Kylie Ladd (The Mix-Up), as they discuss their diverse books on family and relationships with Jason Steger of The Booklist.

Join us for an afternoon of conversation and Q&A, followed by a delicious afternoon
tea.

Bookings are essential. 

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Melanie Cheng at Ashburton Library (VIC)

Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner. She was born in Adelaide, grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Melbourne. Her award-winning debut collection of short stories, Australia Day, was followed by her highly acclaimed first novel Room for a Stranger in 2019.

Melanie will be chatting about her new novel, The Burrow,  a story about ordinary people navigating extraordinary suffering and finding healing through a bond with a pet rabbit.

Free, but bookings are essential.

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