The horror of the Holocaust continues to shock generations who question how such unfathomable evil could have existed, and hope the call for ‘never again’ is heeded. When is the ‘right’ time to expose a young reader to the Shoah? And how does a writer tread the tightrope between triggering nightmares or awareness? Susanne Gervay ... Read more
A meticulous researcher and admirer of the Tudors, Wendy J Dunn has written novels about Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon. Join Wendy to chat about your own favourites in the Tudor court. This chat salon will not be recorded. Wendy J. Dunn Wendy J. Dunn is an award-winning Australian author, playwright and poet. Her ... Read more
Peter Watt’s epic adventure novels chronicle military conflicts from mid C19th to WW2. Come and meet Peter to hear his insights into researching military history and writing action packed stories. You’ll be able to share your own knowledge about this topic. This chat salon will not be recorded. Peter Watt Peter Watt's life experiences have ... Read more
With a Masters in Gastronomy, Jacqui Newling knows a recipe or two. She also has expertise in cooking and food throughout history. Bring along your lunch as well as your questions about period food and using the senses in your novels. You’ll enjoy a feast of ideas. This chat salon will not be recorded. Jacqui ... Read more
Biographies are full of facts as well as fictionalised versions of the truth. Which of these take precedence when telling the story of someone else's life? Kelly Gardiner chats with Sienna Brown, Kelly Rimmer and Sue Williams about how they navigated between the two, and what choices they made to write compelling biographical fiction. The ... Read more
Current historical novelists stand on the shoulders of the talented past story-tellers. Thuy On asks Anna Ciddor, Paula Morris, and Suzanne Leal which authors have inspired them, why the writing is exceptional, what they’d like to emulate, and how the books informed their own novels. The Panellists Thuy On (Chair) Thuy On is Reviews Editor ... Read more
Colin Falconer is the author of over two dozen novels of historical fiction. Two of his epic novels have been set in the ancient world including Cleopatra: When We Were Gods and his alternate history, Colossus. Come and meet Colin and discuss your own favourite piece of ancient world history with him, and the challenges ... Read more
Biographical Fiction is a literary genre which reimagines a real person’s life. It blends the meticulous research of a biography with the vivid, immersive readability of a novel, and blurs the boundary between the two. In recent years, biographical novels have become hugely popular, with novels such as Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, The Tattooist ... Read more
Novelists have long drawn inspiration from the history of the western Allied forces in WW2. In recent times, more authors are featuring stories written from the German perspective. Linda Funnell discusses with Steven Conte, Tania Blanchard and Catherine Chidgey the challenges they faced in overcoming the taboos of centering their novels around German or Nazi ... Read more
Debate continues as to whether an author should only write from the confines of their own experience, gender, sexual orientation, or cultural background. What impact does this have on historical novelists who must also avoid imposing modern biases on characters from different historical periods? Renee Otmar discusses with Rachel Bin Saleh, Tim Darcy Ellis and ... Read more
The Middle Ages extended from the collapse of the Roman Empire through to the dawn of the Renaissance. Expert researchers and talented authors, Isolde Martyn and Felicity Pulman, are happy to field your questions or hear about your own Medieval research gems. This chat salon will not be recorded. Isolde Martyn Historian and former editor ... Read more
When LGBTIQ characters are represented in historical fiction, the men are often a little light on their feet, the women a little man-ish, or are either a stylish couturier or a muscle bound mechanic. Why are such characters often sidelined into sub-plots or endure tragic fates? Greg Johnston will talk with Nigel Featherstone, Kelly Gardiner ... Read more
