As part of this year’s Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF), we’re partnering with the festival for a full day of fantastic free events showcasing a range of new Australian fiction. Join us at the Cube at ACMI on Saturday 2 September from 10am and hear from some amazing talented local writers. Below is the day’s schedule.

For more MWF inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of terrific international guests, and our staff have shared the events they’re most excited to attend.

Melanie Joosten and Eliza Henry-Jones on family and grief

Melanie Joosten ‘s Gravity Well is a striking, tender tale of a strained friendship. Eliza Henry-Jones’s Ache looks at the aftermath of a devastating bushfire. Come along to hear the two authors discuss how they tackle themes of grief, trauma and family within their books.

This session will be chaired by Jo Case.

When: 10am, Saturday 2 September
Where: The Cube at ACMI

Meet Sam Carmody and Heather Taylor Johnson from the 2017 Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction shortlist

The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction recognises exciting and exceptional new contributions to local literature. The 2017 shortlist includes The Windy Season by Sam Carmody, Australia Day by Melanie Cheng, Jean Harley Was Here by Heather Taylor Johnson, The Good People by Hannah Kent, The Lost Pages by Marija Peričić and From the Wreck by Jane Rawson. We’re so pleased that Carmody and Johnson will be joining us to discuss their books.

This session will be chaired by Mark Rubbo.

When: 11.30am, Saturday 2 September
Where: The Cube at ACMI

Sally Abbott and Jane Rawson on the Australian dystopia

Speculative fiction in Australia is a vibrant and growing area of local literature. Join us at this session to hear about two fantastically strange new books. Jane Rawson’s From the Wreck heads back into the past with its tale of shipwrecks and aliens, while Sally Abbott’s Closing Down looks to the future to provide a glimpse into a world fractured by a financial crisis and the effects of global climate change.

This session will be chaired by Ellen Cregan.

When: 1pm, Saturday 2 September
Where: The Cube at ACMI

Sarah Bailey and Mark Brandi on Australian crime stories

Join us at this session to discover two brilliant crime writers. Sarah Bailey’s The Dark Lake is a mesmerising account of one woman’s descent into deceit and madness. Wimmera is a languid, unsettling novel about two boys growing up together in small-town Australia in 1989.

This session will be chaired by Deborah Crabtree.

When: 2.30pm, Saturday 2 September
Where: The Cube at ACMI

Meet the 2017 winner of the Readings Young Adult Book Prize

The winner of this year’s Readings Young Adult Book Prize is The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon. This is the first year we have awarded the prize, which considers first and second works of young adult fiction and memoir, and Fraillon’s timely, gutsy and gorgeously written book is a fitting winner for our inaugural year.

This session will be chaired by Leanne Hall.

When: 4pm, Saturday 2 September
Where: The Cube at ACMI

Live readings from Melanie Cheng, Jennifer Down and Ryan O'Neill

Finish off the day with a series of intimate live readings from three compelling new voices. Melanie Cheng, Jennifer Down and Ryan O’Neill will each share a short story from their recent fiction collections: Australia Day, Pulse Points and Their Brilliant Careers.

This session will be chaired by Alison Huber.

When: 5.30pm, Saturday 2 September
Where: The Cube at ACMI

You can find the full program for Melbourne Writers Festival here.