The Family Lode
Family stories have a universal appeal, but each is different. Why do family relationships provide such a rich seam of material for writers and such captivating stories for readers – whether mirroring our own experiences or taking us into new worlds.
How do authors write about family dynamics? What do they draw on to create these compelling stories? Join three powerful writers, Tony Birch (Women & Children), Melanie Cheng (The Burrow) and Kylie Ladd (The Mix-Up), as they discuss their diverse books on family and relationships with Jason Steger of The Booklist.
Join us for an afternoon of conversation and Q&A, followed by a delicious afternoon tea.
Ticket price from 16 Jan:
$50 full price
$45 concession
Author Bios:
Melanie Cheng
Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner. She was born in Adelaide, grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Melbourne. Her debut collection of short stories, Australia Day, won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2016 and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction in 2018. Room for a Stranger, her highly acclaimed first novel, was published in 2019. Her latest, much-praised novel is The Burrow (Text).
Tony Birch
Tony Birch holds the Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature at Melbourne University. In 2017 he was awarded the Patrick White prize, in recognition of his contribution to Australian literature. He is the author of four novels, five short fiction collections, and two poetry books. His most recent book is the novel, Women and Children, (UQP 2023). The novel was awarded the Age ‘Book of the Year’ in 2024.
Kylie Ladd
Kylie Ladd is the author of seven novels. Her latest novel, The Mix-Up, will be released in February 2025 (Penguin). Her fifth novel, The Way Back, is currently in development for film. She has also co-edited and co-authored two non-fiction books, and holds a PhD in neuropsychology, working two days a week as a consultant in the field of early dementia diagnosis. Kylie lives in Melbourne with her husband, two children and a dachshund.
