Overview
Between AI slop and non-stop Reels, sometimes an old-fashioned page turner is just what's needed to feel a little less stimulated. Now, a new free-to-attend literary series at Fed Square — Body of Work — invites readers to engage with some of Australia's most significant writers, with in-person conversations delving into the questions, obsessions, risks and creative turning points that defined a host of standout careers.
And as the name of the new series suggests, these conversations are intended to span entire bodies of work, not just a single new release, tracing threads from an author's earliest work to their rise to national or even international prominence. Curated by editor and author Jaclyn Crupi, the inaugural series has already wrangled a pair of big names, with the first author featured none other than Helen Garner, one of Australia's most significant and admired writers.
Kicking off the series on Thursday, August 6, Garner will be joined by Michael Williams, editor of The Monthly and former Artistic Director of Sydney Writers' Festival. Together, they'll delve into Garner's five-decade career, revealing fascinating insights into the novels, stories, screenplays, diaries, and non-fiction works that have reshaped Australian literary culture. Plus, the audience will learn more about how Garner's work draws from her own life experiences.
Charlotte Wood. Credit: Carly Earl.
Then, on Thursday, September 24, Body of Work will feature Booker Prize-shortlisted author Charlotte Wood. Joined by Jaclyn Crupi, expect a close study of a career defined by creative risk, psychological depth and restless curiosity, resulting in standout works such as Stone Yard Devotional and The Weekend. With Wood's work returning to questions of feminism, grief, solitude, and the private lives of women, this compelling chat will illuminate her creative process.
"Body of Work fills a gap in Melbourne's literary landscape, bringing writers and readers together to reflect on the complete works of our great writers. These events speak to an appreciation of context, and a deep respect for the obsessions, risks and creative choices writers make throughout their writing lives," says Body of Work curator Jaclyn Crupi.
Yet this initial lineup is just the beginning for Fed Square's new literary series, with year-round events expected to be announced in the near future. So, whether you're a precocious reader or an aspiring literary great, Body of Work is a stellar way to get to know some of Australia's most renowned authors' canon in a deeper and more expansive way, with the writers themselves given the space to reflect on their own creative journeys.
Body of Work launches at Fed Square on Thursday, August 6, featuring a free-to-attend conversation with Helen Garner. Head to the website for more information and to register for events.
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Images: Supplied.