Review: Brisbane Writers Festival, 2023

**Picture (L to R)**: Kay McGrath and Anita Jacoby in conversation about Jacoby’s *Secrets Beyond the Screen* (*Credit: Creative Futures Photography*).

Having had the opportunity to pop into some of the 2023 Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) events I can see why writers’ festivals are so very successful. As a celebration of all things ‘book,’ the 2023 BWF connected adoring fans with their favourite authors, and brought new readers into the orbit of some fascinating writers and thinkers. Books were sold (in great quantity), signatures were added to title pages (I have the impression that many Brisbane Mums received inscribed books this year), and many questions were directed to panellists (including the occasionally epic questions from the floor).

The performative aspect of the sessions was particularly compelling. I was spellbound by the readings in the poetry salon (ably chaired by Kris Kneen, the event included readings by Lee Young-ju, Bronwyn Lea, Pascalle Burton, Janaka Malwatta, Stuart Barnes, and Katherena Vermette), and highly entertained by Nat Amoore’s enactment of scenes from the many films that have inspired Nat’s creativity and writing for children. It was so great to see the patient queuing by many of the kids who attended the BWF’s education program Word Play sessions—each clutching well-read or brand new copies of books by their favourite authors, as they waited for their chance to actually speak with their heroes.

I also enjoyed seeing crafted conversations with authors who managed to speak about their books in a way that didn’t suggest they had previously answered similar questions on so very many previous occasions. The conversation between Anita Jacoby and Kay McGrath felt like a collegial conversation between friends, but managed to leave us all feeling that we must buy Jacoby’s Secrets Beyond the Screen. And even where it was clear that we were listening to an author who has previously spoken about their work at many writers’ festivals and events, I still felt there was a freshness in the answers that made the books sound so very interesting (so much so that, having dropped in to hear part of Bill Hayes’ talk about Sweat and Insomniac City, I made a ‘must find a copy of Insomniac City’ note to self).

The panel discussions were fascinating—not only to see the ebb and flow of conversation, but also to watch how fellow audience members were completely absorbed in the debate. It would have been possible to hear a pin drop in Pandemedia: The Future of Journalism, post-COVID (chaired by Rachel Mealey, with panellists Dr Norman Swan, Gavin Fang, Max Futcher, and Tracey Kirkland), while members of the audience in the Growing Older Better session (chaired by Sally Piper, with Dr Norman Swan and Dr Rebecca Ray) were listening carefully and taking lots of notes as to how to they could directly benefit from the advice. And even when the subjects had a very serious focus, events in the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) kuril dhagun space addressed important issues with occasionally humorous asides—including the thought-provoking discussion between Sarah Malik, Brooke Blurton, and Melanie Saward.

Sadly the 2023 BWF has come to an end, but I see that the BWF website includes information as to how to connect with/support the festival, and also free copy of BWF 1962–2022: Celebrating 60 Years of the Brisbane Writers Festival. And, on the subject of ‘free,’ great to see that the 2023 program included a number of free events. So my tip is to following BWF on social networks, and look out for the 2024 program as its likely to include some very tempting discussions, debates, and events.

Verdict: I can see why writers’ festivals attract such a strong following, and am already looking forward to BWF’24.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Poetry Salon reading by Janaka Malwatta (*image credit: Creative Futures Photography*)

Audience information: The 2023 Brisbane Writers Festival was based at the State Library of Queensland, Southbank, Brisbane (10-14 May 2023, including Word Play [10-12 May]). Tickets at various price levels, included free events, festival passes ($255-$320), regular programming ($20-$25), Word Play ($8-$10) and online events ($8-$12).

Geoff Lawrence