Tasmanian Living Writer's Week - a success!

From Bruny Island to Bridport, from Deloraine to Devonport, books, authors and all things literary were on the menu from 15 to 24 August for the second Tasmanian Living Writers' Week. Thousands of keen literary buffs enjoyed the 110 events across the state over a hectic 10 days.

Leading Australian authors and opinion-makers including Julian Burnside, Morris Gleitzman, Anita Heiss, Tim Bowden, Julia Leigh, Henry Reynolds, Katherine Scholes and Les Murray provided audiences with memorable and moving experiences.

Broadcaster and writer Tim Bowden discussed his long-standing career engaging an audience of more than 100 about his life and his recent book The Devil in Tim at the Examiner Literary Lunch in Launceston.

An enthusiastic full house greeted human rights advocate Julian Burnside for The Mercury Literary Lunch. Julian gave a moving and influential speech about human rights in Australia, shed some light on some of the more quirky aspects of our language and shared some personal insight into his upbringing.

The Indigenous Panel at the Launceston Gorge presented an emotional and impassionate session as panel members including Anita Heiss, Bruce Pascoe, Patsy Cameron and Vicki Matson-Green shared some insight into their heritage and life as indigenous writers today.

Morris Gleitzman delighted audiences young and old. His very entertaining conversation with ABC's Tim Cox was enjoyed by the adults while almost 200 children participated in his fun workshop of words and storytelling.
Les Murray travelled to state to share his unique poetry drenched with his Australian vernacular. Les engaged audiences with his words, his humour and warm and generous nature.

Literary Panels across the state featured a raft of Australia's top literary personalities. Offering poetry to crime and bestsellers to non-fiction, audiences were hard pushed to find a seat at any of the sessions as hundreds flocked to both the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart and the Inveresk Tram Sheds in Launceston to hear from these top literary minds.

David Everett took Wynyard by storm as he shared humorous and emotional stories about his life as a soldier, freedom fighter and criminal.
The Tasmania Book Fair topped off the festival with more than 1,200 people flocking to the IXL Atrium to indulge in literature from some of the state's finest writers and publishers.

arts@work thanks all who participated in the festival. And thanks to all who hosted their own literary events and to those who attended them. It is the community input and participation that makes Tasmanian Living Writers' Week uniquely Tasmanian and the great success that it is.

ABC Local Radio recorded many of the panel sessions and talks. These are available for your listening pleasure at http://abc.net.au/local/stories

If you would like to provide feedback about Tasmanian Living Writers' Week, please drop us a line.
Email: info@artsatwork.com.au
Post: arts@work, 27 Tasma Street, North Hobart, Tasmania, 7000