MWF Archives - Angel Reads

Sessions I Can’t Wait To See | MWF 2019

Jul 11, 2019

Yesterday the program for the 2019 Melbourne Writers Festival was released and today I wanted to share the events that I hope to get to. As tickets are already live I’ve bought some tickets, but I’m hoping to make it to some other sessions as well.

The program for this years looks pretty fantastic with the theme ‘When we talk about love.’ I love that we get a whole day of YA events – although, some events do collide it’s pretty cool. There is also some romance events – which I cannot wait for. Like yes, please. Overall, I think there is something for everyone. And here we go, these are the sessions I cannot wait to see.

Watching Them Grow: From Page to Screen – Authors Becky Albertalli, Melina Marchetta and Christos Tsiolkas talk all about the journey of their novels turning into tv and movie adaptations. With Angela Savage as moderator.

This session sounds so interesting and it’s something that I am always interested in as a reader, therefore, it will be really cool to hear 3 different authors takes on adaptation and everything that comes along with it.

Saturday, August 31 1:00 PM. The Capitol

Why YA? – Randa Abdel-Fattah and Melina Marchetta will talk about why they write for the YA audience. These are two authors that I both admire and have wanted to see for quite some time now and this sounds like the perfect way to see them. With Mellisa Keil.

Sunday 1 September, 11.30am. State Library Victoria, Isabella Fraser Room

It’s Complicated – Nina Kenwood and Jodi McAlister will talk about the ups and downs of young love. You know I love my romance and I do love how complicated it can be especially in young adult novels. So I am really excited to see what comes from this discussion.

Sunday 1 September, 1 pm. SLV, Isabella Fraser Room

Pop Culture Currency – Jenna Guillaume and Lili Wilkinson discuss the phenomenon of YA books being turned into series and mini-series on streaming services like Netflix and Stan. And the impact they both have on each other with Adele Walsh.

Sunday 1 September, 2.30pm. SLV, Isabella Fraser Room

YA’ll Are Thirsty: Romantic FanFic Showcase – This one features Alison Evans, Will Kostakis, Jes Layton, and CB Mako as they talk about the what if’s of YA romances. Overall, this one just seems like a lot of fun.

Sunday 1 September, 4 pm. State Library Victoria, Village Roadshow Theatrette

Becky Albertalli: Love, Simon – Becky Albertalli talks with Jenna Guillaume about the success of Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda and its movie adaptation. They will also explore adolescent love and the importance of diversity. I’m always up to listening about success in the YA industry especially if diversity is involved.

Sunday 1 September, 5:30 pm. The Capitol

Eve L Ewing: Ironheart – Sami Shah will speak with Marvel’s Ironheart writer Eve L Ewing about what it’s like working with Marvel and combining power and the notion of a moral compass. This one just sounds amazing. I mean it’s Marvel why wouldn’t it be.

Wednesday 4 September 7:00 pm. State Library Victoria, Isabella Fraser Room

Romance as Resistance – Anne Gracie, Melanie Milburne and CS Pacat discuss how romance novels can challenge in the status quo of the world right now, with Jodi McAlister. A session all about romance and how it’s pretty cool, um yes, please.

Sunday, 8 September 10:00 am. The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space.

Who Gets to Love? – With romance novels being populated for those that are white, straight and able-bodied, Daniel de Lorne, Maria Lewis, and Maureen Matthews, discuss this lack of diversity. With Kate Cuthbert as moderator. A romance session that talks about diversity – and this is totally for me.

Sunday 8 September 11:30 am. The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space

Unpicking Classic Romances – This one here is about how and if classic romances would hold up to today’s standards. Clare Connelly, Anne Gracie, and Toni Jordan will talk with Calla Wahlquist. I’m just ready for all these romance sessions really.

Sunday 8 September 2:30 pm. The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space

And that is it! That is most of the sessions at this years Melbourne Writers Festival. A mix of YA and romance seems like a pretty good mix for me. I’ve gotten tickets to most of these events now, but I am hoping to get a couple more session tickets closer to the festival. Nevertheless, what sessions are you looking forward to? Let’s Chat!

5 Events I Cannot Wait To See | #MWF17

Jul 19, 2017

As the Melbourne Writers Festival program was launched last night, I thought it would be the perfect time to shared my top 5 events of MWF17.

If you didn’t know, I am the current PR Intern at Melbourne Writers Festival. And over the last couple of months, I have had the privilege to see this program come to life. You can check out a post I did on the MWF website to see some of my favourite #LoveOzYA.

MWF 2017 will run from 25th August to 3rd September. It’s going to be an incredible 10 days filled with inspiration, creativity, and will get everyone’s wheels turning. With this years theme of revolution, it’s bound to create discussion.

Let’s get on to it. Here are my top 5 events that I am so excited to see. These events range from international and local artists to events in all stages of the festival. Tickets go on sale Friday 21st July.

YA AMA

Attending: Angie Thomas, Danielle Binks and Melissa Keil
About the Event:
Join two of the Festival’s most exciting YA novelists, Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) and Melissa Keil (The Secret Science of Magic), for a live ask-me-anything session about young adult fiction. Hosted by Danielle Binks (#LoveOzYA).
Suitable for ages 13 to 25. This is a free event, but bookings are required.

Date and Time: Sunday, 27 August, 11 am
Session Code: 6305

Book Tickets

The Bone Season

Attending: Samantha Shannon
About the Event:
She’s been called the next JK Rowling for her bestselling fantasy series, The Bone Season – the first book of which was published when she was just 21. Now three novels in, British author Samantha Shannon invites you into her dystopic world.

She’s been called the next JK Rowling for her bestselling fantasy series, The Bone Season – the first book of which was published when she was just 21. Now three novels in, British author Samantha Shannon invites you into her dystopic world.

$22/$19
Tickets go on sale at 9 am Friday 21 July. This session is able to be booked on a Festival Pass
Date and Time: Sunday, 27 August, 2.30 pm
Session Code: 4404

Book Tickets

Angie Thomas: YA and Activism – Highlight

Attending: Angie Thomas
About the Event:
Giving voice to young black Americans and chronicling their experiences of racism, The Hate U Give is the year’s most outstanding YA novel. Hear from author Angie Thomas as she argues for writing that can turn the political into the deeply personal as a way to inspire action and speak truth to power. Be inspired by this young, outspoken writer who is ready to hit three truths home: that life fuels art, art mirrors life, and books can change lives.

$25
Tickets go on sale at 9 am Friday 21 July. This session is not able to be booked on a Festival Pass.
Date and Time: Sunday, 27 August, 4.00 pm
Session Code: 1406

Book Tickets

Harry Potter Day

About the Event:

Accio good times! Whether you’re a Muggle, wizard or Squib, join us for a free all-ages celebration of 20 years of the boy who lived. With live performances, a Sorting Hat, story time and more, share in the magic of the wizarding world with Professor Frankie Falconette. Wear your Hogwarts robes for a chance to win prizes. Mischief managed!

More details will be announced soon.

Date and Time: Sunday, 3 September, 10 am
Session Code: 9113

FREE EVENT

#LoveOzYA

Attending: Alice Pung, Amie Kaufman, Danielle Binks, Melissa Keil and Ellie Marney.
About the Event:

Celebrate local YA with the best in the biz! #LoveOzYA authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Ellie Marney and Alice Pung discuss the importance of representation, telling Australian stories and why YA is important for teens and adults alike. With Danielle Binks.
Date and Time: Sunday, 3 September, 2.30 pm
Session Code: 8114

FREE EVENT

Other events to look out for:

Stephen Dupont: Don’t Look Away: Against a backdrop of arresting photographs and film footage, multi-award-winning war photographer Stephen Dupont takes viewers on a powerful journey to the frontlines of Afghanistan, Rwanda, Vietnam and more. The haunting visual presentation is followed by a conversation with Dupont and accompanied by a photographic exhibition. 18+ event, ID may be requested.
Wednesday, 30 August 6 pm

Second-Generation Narratives: The second-generation Australian experience is reflected in many new works of literature. How does an understanding of place, home and family inform storytelling – and increase understanding about migration? Randa Abdel-Fattah, Maxine Beneba Clarke, AS Patrić and Alice Pung explore.
Friday, 1 September 10 am

Pop Culture and Feminism: How does pop culture help young women make sense of their place in the world? Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, Hera Lindsay Bird, Brodie Lancaster and Patricia Lockwood talk representation, diversity and online support networks – and how TV, music and the internet are shaping the next generation of feminists.
Saturday, 2 September 4 pm.

Don’t forget to check out the full program for more events, highlights, and other amazing sessions throughout the festival.

What are you most looking forward to? Do we share any of the same events? What is your go to event for the festival? Let’s Chat!