Literary Listings has presented three distinguished, limited-seat literary luncheons at the beautiful Elwood Bathers, bringing together celebrated authors and an engaged audience of readers in an intimate coastal setting.
Our inaugural luncheon in October 2023 featured acclaimed Australian novelists Sally Hepworth, Kate Mildenhall and Amy Lovat, setting the tone for a thoughtfully curated series defined by depth of conversation and literary excellence.
In December 2024, we were honoured to host Australian literary icon Helen Garner in conversation with Kate Mildenhall, discussing her most-recent work The Season. This was an unforgettable afternoon of genuine exchange, the event offered guests a rare opportunity to hear from one of the country’s most revered writers in an intimate setting.
In November 2025, we welcomed Toni Jordan, Mark Brandi and Kate Mildenhall, in conversation with esteemed moderator Michael Williams. Once again partnering with Elwood Bathers and Avenue Bookstore, the event combined refined hospitality with rigorous and engaging literary discussion.
We welcome enquiries from authors and publishers interested in collaborating on Literary Listings luncheon events in 2026. Please contact us at info@literarylistings.com.
2025 Michael Williams in conversation with Toni Jordan, Kate Mildenhall & Mark Brandi
The third in the Literary Listings lunch series was again sold out weeks before the event, and the stunning space at Elwood Bathers filled early and quickly with avid readers, publisher authors, booksellers and lit fest committee members.
One of our finest moderator’s Michael Williams led Toni Jordan Tenderfoot, Kate Mildenhall The Hiding Place and Mark Brandi Eden through a conversation that was both deep and engaging, but also with many light moments. Michael opened with the wonderful question of which indigenous book or writer was each author’s favourite. Michael’s ability to draw threads and ideas from novels is remarkable, suggesting these three very different novels share themes of actions and consequences. And his instinct for asking the right questions – and giving them room to land – always elicits fascinating responses from authors. Another brilliant conversation over a delicious lunch, enjoyed by an adoring bookish audience.
2024 Lunch with Helen Garner, December 6 at Elwood Bathers
Friday 6th December was a truly memorable afternoon at Elwood Bathers for the second Literary Listings Lunch. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal followed by an uplifting and engaging conversation from one of our finest novelists, Helen Garner. Helen spoke at length with Kate Mildenhall, the warmth and friendship between the two writers added another layer to the conversation, the joy Helen showed when discussing The Season was incredibly heartwarming. The event received wonderful support from writers, published and emerging, literary critics, booksellers and members of lit fest committees.
2023 Literary Listings Inaugural Lunch – featuring Sally Hepworth, Kate Mildenhall & Amy Lovat, October 13 at Elwood Bathers
Our guests for the inaugural Literary Listings Lunch were Sally Hepworth, the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including her most recent book Darling Girls, Kate Mildenhall, co-host of ‘The First Time Podcast’ and novelist with her recently published third book, The Hummingbird Effect, and Amy Lovat who is the founder of ‘Secret Book Stuff’. Amy’s debut novel Mistakes and Other Lovers was published in July 2023.
The event sold out within two weeks of its announcement.
The full-house crowd (ninety guests) including publisher authors (Jane Harper, Kerryn Mayne, Kirsty Manning, Maryrose Cuskelly, Trish Bolton) enjoyed a sparkling conversation, delicious food and wine in a gorgeous venue over looking Port Phillip Bay, and the level of noise just one indication of the enjoyment of our guests.
