Luncheons pave the way for Tasmanian Living Writers' Week

Guests at literary lunches heralding the opening of Tasmanian Living Writers' Week were treated to a feast of fine food, wines and words - all stuffed into a layered sponge cake of passion and emotion from two of Australia's prominent figures.

Broadcaster and writer Tim Bowden discussed his long-standing career engaging his audience about his life and his recent book The Devil in Tim, as well as his past works.

The Launceston lunch attracted nearly 100 people and was sponsored by The Examiner.

An enthusiastic full house greeted human rights advocate Julian Burnside for The Mercury sponsored lunch.

Julian included a quirky retelling of his life and highlighted his published works before moving on to an influential speech about human rights in Australia and the world.

Tasmanian Living Writers' Week is a celebration of writers of the written word. It started on Friday 15 August and concludes on Sunday 24 August. A plethora of activities have been held with many still open to participants.

The ABC's Nanostories competition, asking writers to submit a story in six words or less, is still open for entries on the ABC website.

The acclaimed Tasmanian Book Fair will be held at the IXL Atrium on Hobart's waterfront at 10am on Sunday. Eager shoppers will be able to indulge their interest in the literature of some of the state's finest writers, and listen to them in panel discussions in the Jones and Co Room of the Henry Jones Art Hotel.

For more information on Tasmanian Living Writers' Week, go to http://arts.tas.gov.au/tlww.