Stephanie Alexander, Jacinda Ardern, Kayla Jade: The 40th Melbourne Writers Festival Line-Up Is Here

The Melbourne Writers Festival might only run for four days, but the program manages to pack in plenty of diverse panels and discussions from more than 150 artists who will meditate on the festival’s theme of vision and revisions.

The festival kicks off at Town Hall with a chat between Jacinda Ardern and Virginia Trioli as the former prime minister reflects on what she learnt as the world’s youngest female head of government. Later that same night, fantasy novelist RF Kuang (Yellowface, Babel) will take to the stage to discuss her latest novel Katabasis.

Man Booker Prize winner Yann Martel (Life of Pi) is returning to Australia for the first time in over a decade, appearing at festivals in both Melbourne and Sydney, to unveil his new novel Son of Nobody, which follows a present-day classicist who finds a previously undiscovered account of the Trojan War. Scottish poet and writer Michael Pedersen will also travel to Melbourne for the festival as he discusses his debut novel with friend, and former Australian of the Year, Grace Tame. 

The personal and political intertwine in Palestinian writer Tareq Baconi’s new memoir Fire in Every Direction, a story of love, survival, displacement and queer self-discovery.

Journalists are well represented at the festival. Antoun Issa, Antoinette Lattouf and Amy Remeikis will sit on a panel chaired by Osman Faruqi to discuss the rise – and importance – of independent outlets in a world of media monopolies and declining trust in journalism. Lattouf will also present her new book Women Who Win, a look at women who defy expectations and break rules, in discussion with Tame, who is featured in the book.

Stephanie Alexander celebrates 30 years of her bright orange kitchen bible, The Cook’s Companion, and reflects on her impact on the Australian cooking scene and the book’s recent reissue.

The festival also dives into the world of modern love with a discussion between Madison Griffiths, who explores student-professor relationships in Sweet Nothings; Kayla Jade (Call Girl Confidential), a sex worker with millions of social media followers; and Triple J broadcaster Dee Salmin, who recently released It’s Not Love, Actually, a modern guide to finding the love you deserve.

The festival then doubles down on love with Human Love Quest, a live onstage dating show, a la The Dating Game where three hopefuls compete for the love of a single contestant.

Melbourne Writers Festival runs from Thursday May 7 to Sunday May 10. The Melbourne Writers Festival schools program runs from Monday May 4 to Friday May 8. All tickets are on sale now.

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