Alisons Goodman and Croggon explore the challenges of new worlds, languages and realities in fantasy writing.
Ramona Koval, playwright Darryl Emerson and writer Rodney Hall discuss the satire and wit of the late Christina Stead.
Esteemed novelist Alex Miller talks about 'Autumn Laing', art, love and imagination with Geordie Williamson.
Neil Gaiman explores love and death, the tyranny of genre, sneezing baby pandas and red daleks with Clem Bastow.
Tom Stoppard talks about his life and work, and the "unfathomably interesting" space between audiences and performers.
Environmentalist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken talks about capitalism's "sunset effect" and his new book Blessed Unrest.
Elliot Perlman talks about his new novel The Street Sweeper, writing 20th century histories and his return to Melbourne.
Bestseller Matthew Reilly talks about escapism and blockbuster action scenes, and reads from his relentless new book.
In this lecture, the acclaimed writer interrogates the relationships between readers, authors and critics.
The Sudanese-born rapper opens up about bloodshed, brutality, the power of music and getting Jimmy Carter to rap.
The leader of the federal opposition is too combative, conservative and selfish to rule, argues Susan Mitchell.
UK journalist Jon Ronson talks psychopathy, sleuthing and having a fragile sense of certainty with Sam Pang.
Celebrated High Court alumnus Michael Kirby discusses love, human rights and a close encounter with Bill Heffernan.
The survivor of genocide discusses ethnic conflict and her book A Long Way From Paradise, with Anton Enus.
Crime writers Honey Brown, Lindy Cameron, Kerry Greenwood and Angela Savage discuss all things criminally unladylike.
Literary sensation talks transgenerational trauma, generous assumptions and (not) being a writer with Michael Williams.
Emilie Zoey Baker defies slam poetry's critics, delivering an energetic celebration of the lively, versatile form.
The bestselling novelist discusses her long career and startling rise to prominence in conversation with Jane Sullivan.
Former Keating speechwriter discusses his memoir and the shifts in Australian politics since Keating's demise.
The writer and widow of Steig Larsson discusses his work and values, and her battle to protect his legacy.
Tony Moore, Robyn Annear and Des Cowley remember 'urban bohemian' journalist, poet and novelist Marcus Clarke.
Canadian reporter Jay Bahadur discusses the world of Somali pirates, with fellow journalist Christine Kenneally.
Christine Nixon examines consensus leadership and discusses why 'being open to compromise' is not 'being compromised'.
Craig Sherborne and Cate Kennedy explore writing across various forms, and the processes that bring them into the world.
Katz, Kemp, Rayson and Cortese discuss the theatre community and the practice of crafting their stories.
Sociologist and author John Carroll examines the "excessive fearfulness" and paranoia surrounding child abduction.
Kerryn Goldsworthy and Matt Condon discuss the culture, architecture and landscape of the cities that have inspired t...
Mary Delahunty and Jane Sullivan discuss their transitions and tensions between journalism and creative storytelling.
Acclaimed writer Amos Oz talks of compromise, compassion and conflict in modern Israel and beyond.
Friedman and Maxine McKew discuss the wane of US power, the new global labour market and "finding your extra".
Anne Phelan, Lili Wilkinson and Michael Williams explore the writer's bleakness, humour, generosity and eccentricity.
Professor Timothy - aka TJ - Clark speaks to Antoni Jach about the mute image and why art is the "enemy of truth".
Join Ramona Koval, Carmel Bird and Shane Maloney for a mouth-watering tour of literary gastronomy.
In an exclusive appearance, Terry Pratchett shares anecdotes from throughout his colourful life and a preview of Sam ...
The bestselling crime novelist speaks to Michael Williams about Harry Bosch, Los Angeles and McConaughey's bongos.
The author and scholar discusses porn's grip on pop culture and how we must reform mainstream sexuality with Monica Dux.
Judith Brett discusses her Quarterly Essay - about the fate of rural Australia and its urban counterparts - with Don ...
Peter Mares interviews Ingrid Betancourt about her capture by Colombia's FARC rebels, and why love is the answer.
Adam Zwar and Robyn Butler talk about their unique approaches to television writing and comedy.
Michael Cunningham speaks with Malcolm Knox about 'normality', discipline and the gay artist's obligations.
British writer Emma Forrest sheds light on her candid memoir, Your Voice in my Head.
Acclaimed author David Mitchell joins Jenny Niven for an illuminating, non sequitur-filled appearance at the Athenaeum.
Fatima Bhutto joins Anton Enus in a disarming conversation about life in the midst of Pakistan's famed and bloodied p...
Kathy Lette, Richard Gill and Michael Shmith discuss the operatic adaptation of How to Kill Your Husband.
Literary alumni of the University of Melbourne's Janet Clarke Hall discuss memoir, fiction and their memories of JCH.
Ben Birchall, Paddy O'Reilly, Sean Condon and Meg Mundell enter the difficult and amusing world of the aspiring writer.
Tanner and Megalogenis explore politics and the media, values and pragmatism, and Tanner's new book Sideshow.
Young adult fiction author Meg Rosoff talks to Mike Shuttleworth about brevity, simple language and a godly teen.
Toni Jordan, Morris Gleitzman and Andrea Goldsmith chew the fat with Ramona Koval about the culinary and literary arts.
Divisive author Jeffrey Archer discusses politics, e-books, prison and what it is to be "an old fashioned storyteller".
Weekend Australian columnist Tim Soutphommasane dips into his collection of abusive letters... and spousal apologies.
Angus Trumble discusses his art career and his book, The Finger: A Handbook, with fellow curator David Hansen.
David Malouf and Raimond Gaita explore the connection between happiness and virtue.
Glenn Moore and Jenny Niven discuss race, class and identity in Barack Obama's 1995 book, Dreams from My Father.
In Drama Queens, our panel discuss solutions to unequal representation in contemporary Australian theatre.
Ben Pobjie explains the importance of crude and shocking humour, and why we don't have the right to "not be offended".
Larissa Behrendt addresses key flaws in Australia's attempts to tackle Indigenous disadvantage.
French author Yannick Haenel talks to Mark Baker about the holocaust and Jan Karski, The Messenger.
North American writer Annie Proulx discusses "wiggling small things out of the unknown and onto the page" with Michae...
Scottish novelist Andrew O'Hagan returns to Australia to talk about Maf the Dog and Marilyn Monroe.
Researcher Joanne Faulkner argues against our culture's ill-begotten pairing of childhood and innocence.
Tom Cho, Virginia Lovett, Wes Snelling and Ana Kokkinos share their stories and thoughts on coming out and fitting in.
Sophie Cunningham, Benjamin Law, Fiona McGregor and William Yang consider what makes a piece of writing gay.
In the first of a new series, biographers and colleagues toast The Late Great literary legend Patrick White.
Sophie Cunningham explores our response to change and crisis, and asks how we can regain our grip on reality.
From our Gala Night of Storytelling, Murong Xuecun describes the resourceful Mr Sheng and his unusual relationship wi...
Murong Xuecun tells, in Chinese, the story of Mr Sheng - pest controller, chef de cuisine and owner of 'hungry eyes'.
German writer Dagmar Leupold recounts the power of a pair of suede boots that, under cover of night, whisk her imagin...
Dagmar Leupold recounts the story of the vintage suede boots that transported her across the Baltic to an icy dream o...
French writer Yannick Haenel reads his story of two wartime grandfathers and their very different silences.
From our Gala Night of Storytelling 2011: Yannick Haenel's story of two wartime grandfathers and their very different...
John Birmingham details his friend's lifesaving encounters with aikido, kneeling practice and Indian airport staff.
At our Gala Night of Storytelling, Sonya Hartnett tells the story of her mother's crime in 1960s Athens.
Nam Le finds inspiration in a kung fu legend of the silver screen.
At our Gala Night of Storytelling for 2011, Abha Dawesar tells a tale of embracing fate.
Author Murong Xuecun discusses the challenges facing an 'independent' writer in contemporary China.
Mem Fox tells the story of a rabbi's encounter with tragedy and his wife's wise attempt to guide him through it.
Nam Le, Mary Delahunty, Joy Damousi and Sue Pascoe reflect on various forms of memory in this discussion led by Micha...
Peter James talks about Britain's fascination with crime, Brighton's seedy underbelly and his time spent on police pa...
Kate Morton speaks to Blanche Clark about her latest book, The Distant Hours - and the writing process behind it.
Former Japanese crime reporter Jake Adelstein discusses Yakuza, safety, honour and law enforcement.
Meet some of the hottest writers in the German language as Anna Funder talks to slam poet Bas Bottcher, radio reporte...
French Canadian author Nicolas Dickner talks about language, identity and translation in writing.
Robyn Williams, Tanveer Ahmed, Mark Baker and Joan Hendriks on religion in a discussion chaired by Sally Warhaft.
As part of the Matter of Life and Death series, some of our finest writers discuss tackling death and mortality on th...
One of Australia's best-loved authors ponders what led him to writing, and reflects on the death of his son, about wh...
Simon Winchester on Atlantic, journalism and creative non fiction
Shaun Micallef on his book Preincarnate.
Lenore Skenazy discusses free range kids in this hilarious talk.
Vandana Shiva delivers an address on how GMO-free food became activism.
In conversation with Toni Jordan, novelist Monica McInerney discusses her writing and editing process as well as the ...
Jonathan Walker, author of Five Wounds, talks about the future of the book
Travel and rock scribe Andrew Mueller examines why, in his opinion, travel writing sucks.
In the September Quarterly Essay, Hugh White considers Australia’s place between Beijing and Washington.
Author of Boy In The Moon, Ian Brown, discusses non-verbal communication, his vision for an integrated high care comm...
Nicholas Carr discusses brain function, intellect and memory in the era of information bombardment.
Anna Krien, author of *In the Woods*, audits the deathbed health of our newspapers, lobbying for a diagnosis that doe...
In this Meanland lecture, Cory Doctorow discusses how writers can seize the possibilities of the digital future.
Victorian Premier's Literary Award nominee Maria Tumarkin reads from Otherland
Hugo Award winner China Miéville talks about genre vs literature, British comics and Kraken.
Peter Fitzsimons speaks candidly about lost love, the death of his mother, and his attempts to resist 'This Is Your L...
American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis talks about his new novel, Imperial Bedrooms, Delta Goodrem and his scam wit...
Filmmakers Sue Maslin, Adam Elliott and Camille Chen talk about the books that inform and inspire their work on scree...
John Birmingham discusses After America, women as action heroines and the battle between reading and Nintendo.
Peter Carey on writing, art and his latest book Parrot and Olivier in America.
Kevin Rudd as seen by essayist David Marr
Chris Flynn discusses the noble deeds of dogs, from Beethoven to Benji, via Krypto's Doghouse of Solitude
Fifty years after its first publication, Robin Boyd’s bestselling *The Australian Ugliness* remains the definitive st...
Les Murray reads from his new volume of poems, Taller When Prone.
From Pacific Solution to Oceanic Viking: in a special Overland event, legendary journalist and raconteur Mungo MacCal...
SBS-TV's Sam Pang chaired this backward-looking dig into Melbourne’s past with panel members Robyn Annear, Peter McPh...
Lunchbox/Soapbox: Catherine Deveny on 'Why Becoming an Atheist Made me a Writer'
Clive Hamilton talks about the coming climate change crisis
Irvine Welsh on growing up in Edinburgh and spending winters in Miami.
Sarah Dunant on writing and Renaissance Italy
Lunchbox/ Soapbox: Toni Jordan in defence of trash fiction
Geoff Dyer on comic novels, Philip Roth and being good at sport
Malcolm Fraser Part One
Malcolm Fraser Part Two
Malcolm Fraser Part Three
Lunchbox/ Soapbox: George Megalogenis discusses the Kevin Rudd Performance Index.
Meanland: Reading in ta time of change. What reading might be like in fifteen years time.
Debut Mondays: Sophie Laguna reads from her book One Foot Wrong.
Debut Mondays: Bob Franklin reads from his book of short stories, Under Stones.
Lunchbox/ Soapbox: Peter Singer argues for a beef tax.
Debut Mondays featuring Madeleine Hamilton
Debut Mondays with Andrew McDonald at the Wheeler Centre
A Gala Night of Storytelling: Chloe Hooper's story
A Gala Night of Storytelling: David Malouf's story
A Gala Night of Storytelling: Alex Miller's story
A Gala Night of Storytelling: Tara June Winch's story
A Gala Night of Storytelling: Judith Lucy
A Gala Night of Storytelling: Shane Maloney's story
A Gala Night of Storytelling: Cate Kennedy's story
Michael McGirr talks about his latest book The Lost Art of Sleep, inspired by what he sees as an entire culture that ...
Max Barry talks about writing his newest novel Machine Man via a web feed, getting audience feedback as he went.
Jane Clifton, author of Half Past Dead and A Hand in the Bush, talks crime writing and the life of a celebrant.
Wells Tower on short stories and journalism.
MJ Hyland on whether creative writing can be taught and the pitfalls of blogging.
Krissy Kneen on making the move from blog-writing to book-writing and the difference between erotica and porn.
Explore by area of interest
The Wheeler Centre Gala 2012: Stories to Believe In
Transport and Movement
On the Waterfront
Arts and Culture
City and Urban Planning
David Holmgren on Retrofitting the Suburbs for Sustainability
