Adelaide Writers' Week

Inspired by historical events, Katrina Nannestad’s We Are Wolves and Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief are stories where children are the innocent victims of war and bravely battle the odds to overcome grand world events. In this session, Katrina discusses the lessons of adversity and the inspiring real stories behind her novels.

Comedian Matt Okine’s debut novel, Being Black ‘n Chicken, & Chips, burst onto the scene with an hilarious and often heartbreaking story about trying to grow up when everything is falling apart. For all its humour, Matt gives voice to lived experiences of third culture kids and awkward teenagers everywhere. In this unmissable session, Matt reveals the layers behind the laughs.

Coming to Writers' Week for the first time, John Flanagan is primed to meet the legions of fans of his Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband adventure series. In conversation with Clare Sawyer, John takes readers through the themes that have kept him fascinated while writing these long-running series. Prepare to be enlightened by the hidden layers within these famous epic journeys and find out why they’ve sold more than fifteen million copies worldwide.

Join bestselling YA fantasy author CS Pacat (the Fence series) debut author Lyndall Clipstone (Lakesedge) as they discuss YA fantasy and the drive towards the dark side. What accounts for our fascination with dark themes in YA and what rich motifs do these authors mine when forming their fantasy worlds?

Poetry in Performance

Writers’ Week’s favourite showcase of slam poetry and spoken word performance returns to the Plane Tree Stage on Sunday featuring performances from poets striding the local, national and international stages.

Hear Me Roar! MC Sarah Jane Justice will be joined by an impressive line-up, including Evelyn Araluen, Sara Mansour, Huda the Goddess, Tracey O'Callaghan, Tyberius Larking, Pola Fanous, Isi Ferguson, and special guest from the UK Joelle Taylor.

SA author Karen Wyld will offer insights into the early resistance fighters, collaborators, inventors and dreamers featured in her middle grade book Heroes, Rebels and Innovators: Inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from History. She’ll explore how we can be inspired by individuals from the past to take on current challenges and create a better future.

The Adelaide Writers' Week Microstory Competition is on again in 2022! Supported by 9News, this competition invites young people aged under 18 to submit a microstory of 50 words or less.

In 2022, the theme for the story is A Better Picture (this is also the theme of Writers' Week in 2022). The winner will receive a $500 gift card courtesy of 9News and a YA Day book pack courtesy of Writers' Week.

Come along for the announcement of the winner and a reading of the winning story!

Supported by Channel 9

In a special one-off event, Australia’s favourite kids comedy duo The Listies (ABC TV’s The Listies Work For Peanuts) are coming to Adelaide Writers' Week! Join us for 40 minutes of madcap fun that only The Listies can make!

Hometown Haunts is a #LoveOzYa homegrown horror anthology featuring some of SA’s finest authors. Join editor and contributing author Poppy Nwosu in a conversation with writers Vikki Wakefield, Jared Thomas and Sarah Epstein. They’ll explore some of the most beloved and thrilling tropes and themes of the horror genre – from body horror to the supernatural, hauntings to everyday evils.

Chaired by Annabel Crabb

Sean Kelly describes The Game, his illuminating and deliciously readable take on Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as something akin to literary fiction, a critique of the flat character Morrison has assiduously created for the cameras, as conveyed to us through the pages of the press. Annika Smethurst’s The Accidental Prime Minister rigorously fills in the gaps in Morrison’s story. Both books help us understand more about the politician and the man behind the selfies.