The Small Press Network is dedicated to supporting independent publishers and broadening the diversity of work available in the Australian literary landscape. To celebrate the return of their Book of the Year Award, join the Small Press Network and the Wheeler Centre for an evening of readings from this year’s shortlisted works by André Dao, George Haddad, Leah Jing McIntosh, Jo Riccioni and Andrew Sutherland, followed by the announcement of the winning book. Hosted by Esther Anatolitis. George Haddad and Andrew Sutherland will appear virtually at this event.
Presented in partnership with the Small Press Network
The Next Big Thing takes place every month at the Moat and is a cherished Melbourne institution. It’s the place to be if you want to hear great emerging writers read from new and adventurous work.
Wheelchair accessible
Accessible toilets available
Assistive Listening
Registered Assistance Animals welcome
Esther Anatolitis is the Editor of Meanjin and one of Australia’s most influential advocates for arts and culture. She is Hon A/Prof at RMIT School of Art and a member of the National Gallery of Australia Governing Council ...
André Dao is a Melbourne-based writer, editor and artist. His debut novel, Anam, won the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. His writing has appeared in Meanjin, Sydney Review of Books ...
Dr George Haddad is an award-winning writer, artist and academic practising on Gadigal land. His novella, Populate and Perish, was the winner of the 2016 Viva La Novella competition and his short story Kátharsis was awarded ...
Leah Jing McIntosh is the founding editor of Liminal, an anti-racist literary project based in Naarm. In 2022, she co-edited Against Disappearance, an award-winning collection of essays on memory and the archive ...
Jo Riccioni graduated with a Masters in Medieval Literature from Leeds University, where her studies included Icelandic saga and the Arthurian and Robin Hood legends. Her short stories have won awards in the UK and ...
Andrew Sutherland (he/they) is a Queer Poz (PLHIV) writer and performance-maker currently based on unceded Wurundjeri land. His work draws upon Queer and intercultural ways of being, filtering autobiographical ...