Tasmanian Living Writers' Week

Leading Australian authors and opinion makers, including Morris Gleitzman and Julian Burnside QC, are among a star-studded line-up for the second biennial Tasmanian Living Writers' Week (TLWW) to be held next month.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Lisa Singh, today launched the 10-day event starting on 15 August, saying it would be a feast of words with a host of activities across the state.

"It is the only festival of its kind in Australia and showcases the island's vibrant and diverse literary culture," Ms Singh said.

"Community generated events are a significant part of Tasmanian Living Writers' Week, rounding out the program and showcasing the literary skills and interests of a broad cross section of the community."

Arts@work program officer David Owen said the program includes lively literary lunches, author readings and book signings, inspirational panel discussions, a showcase of indigenous authors and the return of the popular Tasmanian Book Fair.

"Among the high-profile authors and poets helping to celebrate the written word will be Anita Heiss, Peter Temple, Kathryn Fox, Julia Leigh and Les Murray," David said.

"They and others will feature in 110 free and ticketed events in 42 locations statewide offering a uniquely Tasmanian opportunity to be challenged, entertained, stimulated and inspired.

"I encourage everyone to take a look at the festival program.

"It is packed with events to feed the mind and enrich the soul."

Tasmanian Living Writers' Week opens in Launceston on August 15 with one of Tasmanian's favourite sons, Tim Bowden, taking centre stage at the Examiner Press Club lunch.

Opening proceedings in the south, children's author Morris Gleitzman will have an Anything But Ordinary Conversation with ABC broadcaster Tim Cox at the Republic. Gleitzman will also host an interactive workshop with children, Morris with the Minors, at the Backspace Theatre.

Other highlights will include:

• A literary lunch in Hobart with Julian Burnside QC, one of Australia's most outspoken and tireless defenders of human rights;
  
• A discussion in Wynyard about a life of adventure and risk with Tasmanian-born soldier turned freedom fighter David Everett;
  
• Galleries of poetry at the Tasmanian Arboretum at Eugenana, the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden near Burnie and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart; and
  
• Audiences with poet Les Murray in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
  

A special feature of the week will be the creation of four new short plays to tour the state next year. The event will mark the 30th anniversary of the Australian Script Centre.

The TLWW program is available through branches of the State Library, cafes and bookshops.

It is available online at www.arts.tas.gov.au/tlww or to request a copy phone arts@work on (03) 6237 6323.

[ IMAGE: Lisa Singh congratulates David Owen, Shannon Challis and Fiona Barber from arts@work on their work organising TLWW - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: Poet Kathryn Lomer waxed lyrical about the exciting program for TLWW at the launch - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: Arts@work manager Fiona Barber, Kathryn Lomer and Lisa Singh inspect the TLWW program - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: Kathryn Lomer and Lisa Singh show of the TLWW program - click to view ]