What’s the story? It’s all about the books and the people who write them!

Sharon Flindell, Totally Lit Curator/Producer brings us up to date with what’s happening at the Totally Lit Festival

Whether you call them writers festivals, live literature festivals, book fairs, or something else, events that bring readers, writers and thought leaders together are … well, they’re totally lit!

In this era of fake news, artificial intelligence and ChatGPT, real stories written by real humans may be more important than ever. Festivals that celebrate those stories and connect us with inspiring writers, storytellers, scientists and knowledge holders can be more than just a breath of fresh air, they can be food for the heart and mind.

Which is why I’m looking forward to the depth and variety of panel conversations, talks and book launches that Totally Lit has to offer, starting with the Many Voices program on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 September at the WA Maritime Museum.

Chemutai Glasheen

Diverse cultures, stories and experiences will be shared by acclaimed authors such as Tony Buti – who will be in conversation with Gillian O’Shaughnessy about his moving and important memoir, Alkira – and by visiting writer Nikos Athanasou. Nick, originally from Perth and now a professor at Oxford University, will be talking with award-winning local author Pol Koutsakis about cultural identity and the experience of growing up Greek-Australian. Those experiences are captured in Nick’s exquisite short story collection, Late Hybrids. Other conversations in Many Voices will feature 2025 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award winner Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes and short-fiction writer Chemutai Glasheen, talking about home and hope; and Chenée Marrapodi with Don Fini and academic Maria Rosaria Francomacaro discussing the inspiring life of Tony Fini. Many Voices will conclude with Writers of Consciencewhich is certain to be a powerful conversation about the dangers of free speech.

David Whish- Wilson

As Totally Lit unfolds there will be more opportunities to connect with amazing Western Australian authors including Fremantle’s favourite resident crime writer, David Whish-Wilson, and author and critic Richard King, who writes provocatively about relationships between culture and technology. David and Richard are two men who will be walking into a bar on 30 September to celebrate the launch of their latest books. They would love to have you join them!

Sophie McNeill

If you’re a little bit science curious and keen to immerse yourself in conversations about the ways in which we come to understand ourselves and the complex world we live in, thendive into Quantum Words on Saturday 4 October. Over the course of the day you will hear writers, scientists, environmentalists, journalists and politicians engaging with vigour and rigour about topics as diverse as nuclear weapons and coastal erosion, our search for ourselves, the science of belief, and our fascination with sea monsters and the stars.

Christian Mauri

There are lots of reasons to engage with Totally Lit when it launches on Friday 26 September. One of those reasons has to be these many opportunities to have real conversations with real people.

Kim Scott

If you’d like to join us for the launch of the festival to and to hear Kim Scott’s keynote address, there are still some tickets available. Hope to see you there.

By Sharon Flindell, Totally Lit Curator/Producer