The 2025 November Literary Listings Lunch brought together three of Australia’s most respected and celebrated authors – Toni Jordan, Kate Mildenhall and Mark Brandi – each celebrating their latest books in conversation with masterful moderator, Michael Williams.

This was a truly special event for readers who love great food, great writing, and great conversation. There was much noise, joy and laughter throughout the day as friendships were renewed and new ones made. It was a delight to see many emerging and published authors in attendance, along with industry folk and bookstagrammers, family and friends. This year there were many guests with origins to the PWE program at RMIT in attendance, including current and former staffers Penelope Johnson and Clare Strahan, all of our guest authors, and indeed myself!

One of Australia’s finest moderator’s, Michael Williams, led Toni, Kate and Mark 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 – see below.

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. The conversation was over before we were all ready for it to be so. To close Michael asked each author to their recommend their fave book of year – see below.

Kate’s: THE ROT by @evelynaraluen & ABORRESCENCE by @rhettsdavis

Toni: anything by Alexis Wright & GHOST CITIES by @sianglu_author 2025 winner of the @milesfranklinliteraryaward

Mark: WILD CAT FALLING by Mudrooroo & DEMON COPPERHEAD @barbara.kingsolver

Our good friends from Avenue Bookstore supported us again in 2025. The lovely Emily from  was kept busy, and the signing table was in action for over an hour, the authors very generous with their time and happy to have photos taken. Guests lingered over a final glass of something, enjoying the view and each other’s company for that little bit longer.