ANZ LitLovers LitBlog

More good news from those amazing people at the forthcoming Yarra Valley Writers Festival on May 9th. The following is shamelessly copied from the home page on their website:

MAY 9 2020 – A DAY OF TALKS FROM THE YARRA VALLEY & VARIOUS HOME OFFICES OF OUR  PANELISTS, AUTHORS AND PERFORMERS

Covid-19 is causing havoc with all of our lives so it’s probably no surprise that the YVWF will need to re-think its position. We so desperately didn’t want to be another cancellation in your diary – so we haven’t – but we are reimagining how we go about bringing wonderful authors and important conversations to you. With everyone’s physical and mental health and wellbeing in mind let’s welcome –  A live-streamed Yarra Valley Writers Festival on Saturday 9 May – PLUS Sunday Sessions all May and a YWWF Bookclub We are entering a time where  we need conversations, connection and our thinkers and writers more than ever. Let’s practice physical distancing – not social distancing!

Sunday Writerly Sessions in May One hour online meaty and satisfying discussions with various authors, perfect with a cuppa or a glass of wine taking place from your home at 3pm every Sunday in May. The first one will be on Sun 3 May | Grief and Other Memories | Indigo Perry (Darkfall), Eliza Henry-Jones (How To Grow A Family Tree), Julia Baird (Phosphorescence) & Kerrie O’Brien (The Age)

 Yarra Valley Writers Festival Book Club
An interactive and engaging monthly book club, taking place at 6.00pm on the last Wednesday of the month, hosted by YVWF Director Brook Powell and Ambassador Michael Veitch and joined by a variety of authors each session.  Wed 27 May | Tony Birch – The White Girl

Writers and presenters to be featured in the livestream include Julia Baird (Phosphorescence) Tony Birch (The White Girl), Chris Flynn (Mammoth), Eliza Henry-Jones (How to Grow a Family Tree), Elizabeth McCarthy, Meg Mundell (The Trespassers), Ailsa Piper (The Attachment: Letters From A Most Unlikely Friendship), Hannie Rayson, Angela Savage (Mother of Pearl), Jock Serong (Preservation), Michael Veitch (Hell Ship, Turning Point), Donna Ward (She I Dare Not Name), David Williamson (Don’s Party), Charlotte Wood (The Weekend) and more to be announced.

There will be a small charge to view the talks, which will enable the Festival to pay the authors, convenors and technicians – and not be another cancellation in their diaries too.

Now, you will know, because I’ve posted about this digital festival before that I already have my ticket for the Saturday program.  $35 for the whole day and it’s a terrific program.  But now the Sunday sessions program is up on the website, and I have bought tickets for that too.  These tickets are priced on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis, and I hope people will feel like paying whatever they usually pay for festival sessions, (a) so that the festival can pay the writers, and (b) to encourage the festival to do this again.  Because, as you will have realised, you can ‘attend’ this festival wherever you are!  And while I love the Yarra Valley and will be there onsite in a heartbeat once all this is over, I love the idea that we can go to festivals no matter where we live.

Sunday Writerly Sessions in May

3pm Sun 3 May             Grief and Other Memories | Indigo Perry (Darkfall), Eliza Henry-Jones, Julia Baird (Phosphorescence)  & Kerrie O’Brien (The Age)

3pm Sun 10 May          Getting On: The Griffith Review | Donna Ward, Charlotte Wood, Ailsa Piper & Ashley Hay

3pm Sun 17 May          The Politics of Our Words | Guy Rundle (Crikey, Meanjin), Rick Morton (The Saturday Paper) with Kerry O’Brien (Walkley Award for outstanding leadership in journalism.)  with Peter Wilmoth

3pm Sun 24 May          Why Short Stories Have Big Impact | Sean O’Beirne (A Couple of Things Before the End), Josephine Rowe (Here Until August), Alice Bishop (A Constant Hum) & Alice Cottrell (Kill Your Darlings)

3pm Sun 31 May          Charcoal Sketches | Sean Dooley & Michael Veitch

So, let’s make this festival a big success.  I can’t tell you how good it feels to have something bookish to look forward to!  Book here!