The Emerging Writers' Festival Unveils 2017 Program

Attention, Australia's aspiring novelists, budding journalists and up-and-coming writers. The Emerging Writers' Festival returns to Melbourne from June 14–23, bringing together over 200 new and emerging writers in their biggest program yet. Developed by new artistic director Izzy Roberts-Orr in collaboration with former artistic director Michaela McGuire, the festival boasts parties, performances, poetry slams, panels and networking events that all aim to promote and nurture developing storytellers.

The jam-packed ten days will begin with an opening night storytelling session — titled Our Invincible Summer — by some of the brightest voices in the literary community. The evening will also include announcements of the recipients of the Monash Undergraduate Prize for Creative Writing and the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. Stick around for the afterparty, hosted by publication/blog/podcast Hot Chicks with Big Brains.

Other key events include a Looking for Alibrandi-inspired formal, Tipping Points — a particularly topical play about climate change which was created in 24 hours — and Love Show, a collective performance by Quippings, a disability performance collective that showcases performers of a huge variety of bodies and minds. If you're looking for an after-dinner show, check out Lost The Plot, which sees lit nerds battle on stage in a night of wacky word games.

If you can only commit to one event though, the annual, two-day National Writers' Conference is not to be missed. Held at the State Library of Victoria over the weekend of June 17-18, the event is curated to inspire writers through industry-focused talks, masterclasses and information sessions hosted by some of Australia's top literary talent.

Additional masterclasses will be held throughout the festival and span everything from pitching to publishers and freelancing to young adult fiction writing, as well as podcasting, YouTubing and even spoken word. The Industry Insiders series will showcase some of Australia's top emerging editors and field discussions on self-publishing and marketing your work, while foodies can even enjoy a five-course meal in an evening with some of Australia's best food writers on Monday, June 19.

The Emerging Writers' Festival 2017 will take place across Melbourne from June 14–23. For the full program of events, visit emergingwritersfestival.org.au.