The Armadale Writers’ Festival is back for this year’s week-long feast of conversation, literature, and the sheer joy of words. For readers, aspiring writers, or anyone who loves a good yarn, the festival has it all. The festival runs from Saturday 10 September to Friday 16 September 2022 at key locations across the City of Armadale.
Come along, be entertained and informed. Places are limited at these free sessions and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au/whats-on/adults or call 9394 5125 to book your place.
See below for a snapshot of the events we have lined up for the festival:
Holden Sheppard in conversation with Chenée Marrapodi: The Brink
Saturday 10 September, 6 – 7pm at Armadale Library
Award-winning WA author Holden Sheppard will be in-conversation about his new book, The Brink with journalist, podcaster and author Chenée Marrapodi.
The Brink is an explosive new YA novel pitched at older teens and adults, about a group of Year 12 students whose Leavers trip goes fatally wrong, leading them to life-changing tragedy and triumph.
Holden will speak with Chenée about the deeply personal impetus for writing the book - including the themes of mental health, identity, masculinity and sex - as well as the rollercoaster journey to getting his second book into the world.
Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au or call 9394 5125 to book your place.
Crying over spilt milk!
Sunday 11 September, 2 – 3pm at Armadale District Hall
Fresh from winning a best comedy award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Darwin comedian Amy Hetherington brings her new show and her baby to the Armadale Writers’ Festival.
Join the infectiously likeable comic for stories about sleep deprivation, weird advice from strangers, sore nipples, and crying over spilled milk...and expect the new addition to be a chaotically fun part of the act!
A perfect show for new parents, would-be parents, or never-would-I-ever parents.
This event contains swearing and adult themes.
Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au or call 9394 5125 to book your place.
The Ballroom Murder: Leigh Straw with David Whish-Wilson
Monday 12 September, 10 – 11am at Seville Grove Library
Can’t get enough of true crime podcasts? Or maybe you have a passion for history? If you said yes, then you will love listening to Leigh Straw and David Whish-Wilson as they discuss all things crime, women’s history, and Leigh’s latest book which explores the infamous 1925 Perth ballroom murder.
Dr Leigh Straw is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame Australia and an author of many true crime biographies of Australian crime figures.
Her recent publications with Fremantle Press are The Petticoat Parade: Madam Monnier and the Roe Street Brothels (2021) and The Ballroom Murder: The dancefloor shooting that shocked Australia (2022).
Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au or call 9394 5800 to book your place.
Comedy Writing
Tuesday 13 September, 5.30 – 7pm at Armadale Library
Award-winning comedian Amy Hetherington presents an interactive comedy writing workshop.
Comedy is a subjective genre, but Amy will share personal insights into thinking about punchlines, crafting jokes, making stories relatable and delivering content on stage.
Amy is travelling all the way from Darwin to be a part of the Armadale Writers’ Festival and is bringing with her a whole lot of fun.
Don’t miss out on this chance to laugh and learn with a spin on traditional writing workshops.
This session is for adults. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au or call 9394 5125 to book your place.
The Journey of a Book: From idea to publication
Wednesday 14 September, 2 – 3.30pm
Avocados Restaurant & Reception Centre - 2 Mount Street, Kelmscott
Contemporary novelists Rachael Johns and Sasha Wasley will tell you how a book comes into being!
From the first inkling of an idea, through plotting, writing and editing, into publication and manufacturing, and onto the bookshelf of your favourite bookstore.
Meet two bestselling authors and gain a warts-and-all insight into the journey of a book, all the way from author to reader.
Afternoon tea served at 2pm, with the talk commencing at 2.30pm.
This session is for adults. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au or call 9394 5125 to book your place.
Dave Warner: Never a dull moment
Thursday 15 September, 2 – 3pm at Seville Grove Library
After beginning in Perth with what was likely Australia's first punk band Pus, Warner had a lauded rock career before turning to other creative fields.
Writer of 11 crime novels, a series of children's books and a number of non-fiction works, Warner has claimed various awards including the Ned Kelly (best Australian crime fiction) and WA Premier's Award for Literature. He has written for film and TV and called AFL football for various Sydney radio stations.
For the Armadale Writers' Festival he will engage the audience with a talk entitled Never a dull moment, a potted autobiography of his creative life referencing his music, crime-writing and love of football. This appearance will feature Warner reading excerpts from his books plus the performance of songs.
This session is for adults. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au or call 9394 5800 to book your place.
Under Interrogation
Friday 16 September, 6 – 7pm at Armadale Library
Do crime fiction writers bother to get police procedure right? What are the upsides and are there any downsides from procedural veracity? What do serving police officers feel about their portrayal in crime fiction books and movies?
Under Interrogation is a panel discussion involving crime authors Karen Herbert, David Whish-Wilson and Dave Warner, accompanied by a serving WA Police Officer, providing a police perspective.
Be part of the fun as they throw the cuffs on these slippery questions and wrestle them to the ground.
This session is for adults.
Refreshments of wine and cheese provided.
Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit library.armadale.wa.gov.au or call 9394 5125 to book your place.
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