Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) has been celebrating reading, writing and ideas with the people of Queensland and showcasing Queensland writers to the world for over fifty years.
The Festival brings a page-turning experience to Brisbane in September each year, as well as a year-round program of exciting events. We spoke with the BWF’s Kate Eltham.
What is BWF in a sentence?
A celebration of stories and ideas.
What is your role and how did you come to be involved?
I'm the Festival Director. I joined the organisation in 2012 and delivered my first Brisbane Writers Festival last year.
Describe the impact and importance of words in your life?
As a passionate reader, as a writer who is married to a writer and as someone runs a writers festival, words are pretty important to me! But I'd say narrative is even more important. Humans are hard-wired for story and so much of our culture is built on it. I love that Brisbane Writers Festival explores the power of story in all its guises, not just literature but also songwriting, comics, poetry, journalism, games and screenwriting.
Are you a writer and if yes, what do you write about?
Yes. Mostly short fiction in the magic realism/ fabulist genre.
Best advice about career you've received?
Learn and practice resilience.
Your advice to up-and-coming writers?
Write. Write. Write.
Best book you've ever read and why?
'Where Good Ideas From' by Steven Johnson. It's about the fertile environments that allow inspiration and creativity to flourish and it's written with the mastery and beauty of a literary novel. It makes my brain hum.
Fav word?
Duende.
Why should people come along to the BWF?
Because it's thought-provoking and moving and fun. Because, no matter your taste, you'll find in the program something you already love. Because you'll find something inspiring you didn't know you would love and you'll want to talk about it with someone, and there'll be lots of people there who'll want to do just that.
What is your pick for people to go see? The highlights?
For an incendiary line-up of amazing international guests, you can't go past The Literary Vaudeville Show featuring Dave Eggers, Willy Vlautin, Warsan Shire, Simon Armitage, Hinemoana Baker and more. (Fri 5 September, 8pm, Brisbane Powerhouse)
Jukebox Confessional at the Festival Club features live storytelling from authors who share the song that changed their life, with musical
performances by Ben Salter. (Saturday, September 6, 8pm)
Well-Played on Sunday September 7 celebrates narrative and games, featuring Bajo and Hex from ABC Good Game and Jeffery Yohalem, lead writer of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Child of Light.
Anything else our readers should know?
The Festival Club is free from 1pm until late evening Friday to Sunday and the bar is open. Come down and enjoy the live music, spoken word, comedy and storytelling.
Brisbane Writers Festival happens 3rd to 7th September.
