Melbourne Writers Festival Digital

Overview

This year's edition of the Melbourne Writers Festival is headed to a device near you. Taking place entirely online, MWF 2020 is set to hit screens from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16, with a roll-call of literary greats in tow. And, thanks to a new pay-what-you-can format, this annual celebration of words is as accessible as ever.

The program is packed full of virtual events, ranging from talks and conversations to workshops and podcasts, hosted by voices both familiar and new.

The MFW Gala takes the form of a women-led meeting of minds, with words from the likes of actor and screenwriter Michelle Law, award-winning novelist Favel Parrett and 2020 Stella Prize-winner Jess Hill, hosted by author and commentator Jamila Rizvi.

Renowned writers, including Christos Tsiolkas (The Slap, Barracuda) and Helen Garner (Monkey Grip, Joe Cinque's Consolation), reflect on their own experiences of the last few months for new conversation series Read All About It, while former Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Malcolm Turnbull each host a talk discussing their respective new books.

Elsewhere, you'll dive into some real-life lockdown love conundrums courtesy of the Take It From Me panel (and, yes, you can submit your own conundrum), reflect on the Uluru Statement with Torres Strait Islander writer Thomas Mayor, hear from Gamilaroi/Dunghutti writer Marlee Silva on her book showcasing the voices of First Nations women, and enjoy a lively sit down with Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan.

To access each MWF event, you'll need to book a ticket online for $0, $5, $10, $20 or $50 — depending on what you can afford.