Bookshop, Library & Festival Events – May 2024
| Date | Host | Event Details | ||
| 1st | Readings Books | Anna Downes in conversation with Kate Mildenhall. Downes is back with another spine tingling novel, Red River Road (Affirm) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | |
| Yarra Libraries | Author Event: Life Skills for a Broken World with Ahona Guha Time: 6.30pm Venue: North Fitzroy Library |  | ||
| 2nd | Geelong Libraries | Author Talk: Fiona Basile Immerse Time: 10.30am Venue: Queenscliff Library |  | |
| Mary Martin Bookshop | Story time with RWR McDonald Happy Millionth Birthday (Larrikin House) Time: 11.00am Venue: in store |  | ||
| Farrells Bookshop | Author Event: Garry Disher Sanctuary Time: 6.30pm Venue: in store, Mornignton |  | ||
| Bayside Libraries | Lisa Medved (The Engravers Secret) in conversation with Katherine Kovacic Time: 6.00pm Venue: Brighton Library | |||
| Readings Kids | Book Launch: A Way Home by Emily Brewin (Midnight Sun) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Readings Kids, Carlton |  | ||
| Readings Books | Launch: Mickey: The Cat Who Helped Me Through Times of Change by Helen Brown Time: 6.30pm Venue: St. Kilda |  | ||
| Readings Books | Stuart Kells (Alice TM) in conversation with Esther Anatolitis (MUP) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| 3rd | Nice Stack of Books | Author Event: Anne Freeman Me That You See Time: 7.00pm Venue: Meeinyan Town Hall |  | |
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Suddenly Single at Sixty by Jo Peck (Text) Time: 6.30pm Venue: St. Kilda |  | ||
| Mornington Peninsula Libraries | Lisa Medved The Engravers Secret Time: 11am Venue: Mornington Library | |||
| Your Library Ltd | Author Talk: Kate Solly Tuesdays with the Copeton Craft Resistance Time: 2.00pm Venue: Miller’s Homestead | |||
| 4th | Readings Kids | Book Launch: Saturday is Pancake Day! by Bernadette Green and Daniel Gray-Barnett (Scribe) Time: 2.00pm Venue: Readings Kids |  | |
| Jeffreys Books | Author Talk: Lisa Medved The Engravers Secret Time: 2.30pm Venue: in store |  | ||
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Hana by Hana Assafiri (Melbourne Books) Time: 2.00pm Venue: Church of All Nations |  | ||
| Q.Lit | Free Workshops, In-Conversations and an Evening Showcase in Sale Time: 10am-4pm Sale Library Time: 6pm – 10pm: Shirleys Bar and Cafe | |||
| 5th | Readings Books | Author event with Rachel Matthews, What Does It Mean to be a Mum, author of Never Look Desperate Time: 6.30pm Venue: St. Kilda |  | |
| 6th | Melbourne Writers Club | Writers Club Meet up with special guest Anne Freeman Time: 6.00pm Venue: Arbory Bar & Eatery, Flinders Walk | | |
| Kingston Libraries | Readers are Writers Workshop with Dr Rachel Mathews – Never Look Desperate Time: 6.00pm Venue: Cheltenham Library | |||
| Northern_Books | Book launch: My Father’s Suitcase by Mary Garden Time: 5pm Venue: Buda House, Castlemaine | |||
| 7th | Geelong Libraries | Julie Goodwin Your Time Starts Now Time: 6.00pm Venue: Geelong Library & Heritage Centre |  | |
| 8th-12th | Melbourne Writers Festival | In 2024 nearly 100 writers will be welcomed to Melbourne to take part in approximately 50 events for one extraordinary week. | ||
| 9th | Readings Books | Book Launch: No Church in the Wild by Murray Middleton, with Miles Allinson (Pan Macmillan) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | |
| Green on Miller | Book reading and signing: Allee Richards A Light In the Dark Time: 6pm Venue: Green on Miller, Thornbury |  | ||
| Wyndham City Council | Author Talk: Alison Goodman, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies Time: 6.30pm Venue: Hoppers Crossing Library | |||
| 11th | Paperback Bookshop | Salon Series with Irish author Sinead Gleeson Hagstone (HC) Time: 4.00pm Venue: Bard’s Apothecary |  | |
| 13th | Geelong Libraries & The Bookbird | Author Event: Bruce Pascoe & Lyne Harwood Black Duck Time: 6.30pm Venue: Geelong Library & Heritage Centre |  | |
| 15th | Readings Books | Book Launch: Houdini Unbound by Alan Attwood (Melbourne Books) Time: 6.30pm Venue: St. Kilda |  | |
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Girt by Sea by Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis (Black Inc) Time: 7.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| Northern Books | An evening with Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood Black Duck Time: 7.00pm Venue: The Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine | | ||
| 16th | Port Melbourne Library | Author Talk: Fiona Basile Immerse Time: 6.30pm Venue: Port Melbourne Library | ||
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Saltblood by Franceca De Tores (Bloomsbury) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| Brunswick Bound Booskhop | Book Launch: Peripathetic by Cher Tan (New South Pub) Time: 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start Venue: Brunswick Artists’ Bar |  | ||
| Merribek Libraries | Jelena Dokic Fearless in conversation Time: 6.30pm Venue: Coburg Town Hall | |||
| Your Library Ltd | Author event with Sam Elkin Detachable Penis: a Queer Legal Saga Time: 7.00pm Venue: Knox Library | |||
| Melton City Libraries | Graphic Storytelling for Teens with Jes Layton Time: 5.00pm Venue: Melton Library | |||
| Yarra Plenty Libraries & Eltham Bookshop | LGBTQIA+ Voices in Literature with Will Kostakis, Michael Earp & Hannah McElhinney Time: 7.00pm Venue: Eltham Library | |||
| 11th-26th | FESTIVAL | Midcoast Festival of Stories (NSW) by MidCoast Libraries Local events, in conjunction with streaming Sydney Writers Festival May 16 & 18: Gabriel Bergmoser, Andromache Between Worlds May 18: Sam Bayly The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature May 18: Carly Lane, The One That Got Away | ||
| 17th | ASA | New York Times best-selling author Kylie Scott appearing for the Ask Me Anything session Time: 1.00pm Venue: ONLINE |  | |
| 17th-18th | FESTIVAL | Kyogle Writers Festival NSW The Kyogle Readers and Writers is a community-led organisation that seeks to celebrate the very best of Australian story-telling in an effort to enhance the cultural life of our region by hosting regular events, large and small throughout the year, alongside our writer in residence and annual poetry competition programs. | ||
| 17th-19th | Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival | Guests include Holly Ringland, Wendy Harmer, William McInnes, Graham Akhurt, Laurie Steed, Prof AC Grayling, Andrew O’Hagan, Candice Fox, Clementine Ford, Graeme Simsion, Anne Buist, Jelena Dokic, Mark Smith and many more! | ||
| 17th-19th | Continuum 16 | Continuum returns in 2024 at the Jasper Hotel, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Guest of Honour 1 is Shannon Chakroborty! | ||
| 17th-19th | FESTIVAL | Write Here, Lake Macquarie, NSW Write Here is a place for writers and readers to be inspired. Hear tips, tricks and tales from local and visiting authors across three days of workshops, discussions and presentations | ||
| 18th | Q-Lit Victoria | Victoria’s Queer Festival of Words, City of Casey with Alison Evans, Sam Elkin, Jonathon Butler, Sally Goldner, Timothy Christopher Ryan, Xiaole Zhan, Julie Peters and Yves Rees Time: 10am – 4.00pm Venue: Bunjil Place Library AND The Old Cheese Factory in the Chapel | ||
| Merribek Libraries | Author Event: Jasper Peach You’ll Be a Wonderful Parent time: 2.00pm Venue: Brunswick Town Hall | |||
| 18th-19th | KidLitVic Vic ONLINE KidLitVic – Meet the Publishers was established to enable new, emerging and experienced writers and illustrators the opportunity to meet and hear from industry professionals about publishing children’s and YA books in the current Australian market. | |||
| 20th-26th | FESTIVAL | Sydney Writers Festival NSW Each year, more than 400 writers take part in over 300 conversations, debates, performances and panel discussions to audiences of more than 80,000. “Australia’s most beloved celebration of literature, stories and ideas” | ||
| 20th-26th | FESTIVAL | Bathurst Writers and Readers Festival Alongside live streaming of Sydney Writers Festival, there are some fab local author events including Gabriel Bergmoser, Sophie Hanson, Rys Gard, Aoife Clifford, James McKenzie Watson, Tracy Sorensen, Kirsty Jagger, Kylie Needham and Jane Hutcheon. | ||
| 21st | Chelsea Library | Author Talk: Fiona Basile Immerse Time: 6.30pm Venue: Chelsea Library | ||
| Melbourne Jewish Book Week | Julian Borger chats with Rachelle Unreich about his memoir I Seek a Kind Person Time: 7.30pm Venue: Glen Eira City Town Hall |  | ||
| Wheeler Centre & RMIT Culture | Author Event: Bonnie Garmus Lessons in Chemistry Time: 6.30pm Venue: Melbourne Town Hall |  | ||
| Readings Books | Poetry Launch: Circadia by Judith Bishop (UQP) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| Mary Martin Bookshop | Mystery Night Time: 6.15pm Venue: Meet instore String Bean Alley, Melbourne | |||
| Merribek Libraries | Sam Elkin Detachable Penis: a queer legal saga Time: 7.00pm Venue: Coburg Library | |||
| 22nd | Readings Books | Book Launch: For Everything A Time by Mark McAvaney with Louise Milligan (Ultimo) Time: 6.00pm Venue: Emporium |  | |
| Eltham Bookshop | Ella Mittas (Ela! Ela!) in conversation Time: 6.30pm Venue: in store | |||
| Book and Paper | Garry Disher Sanctuary in convo with Katherine Collette Time: 7.00pm Venue: The Eminence Restaurant, Williamstown | | ||
| Melton City Libraries | Graphic Storytelling for Teens with Jes Layton Time: 5.00pm Venue: Caroline Springs Library | |||
| Victorian Law Week | Join Sam Elkin, a lawyer and trans masculine writer, at the launch of his new book Detachable Penis: A Queer Legal Saga. You’ll gain insight into practicing LGBTIQA+ specialist law within the trans community, inclusive practice, and the intersection of law and storytelling. The event will feature a keynote from Liz Bennet SC and hosted by historian Dr Yves Rees. Light catering will be provided. Time: 6:00 pm Venue: Narrm Ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry St. Melb | |||
| 23rd | Your Library Ltd | Author Talk: Megan Rogers The Heart is a Star Time: 6.00pm Venue: Bayswater Library | ||
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Sugar by Edward Narain and Tarryn Phillips Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| Melton City Libraries | Author Talk: Erica Redden Deep in the Forest Time: 7.00pm Venue: Melton Library | |||
| 23rd May-June 2nd | BOOK FAIR | Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Stall Holder Fair VIC Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Events | ||
| 24th | ABDA Awards | ABDA Awards night, with MC Jacinta Parsons Time: 7.00pm Venue: Craft & Co, Collingwood | ||
| 25th | Mornington Peninsula Libraries | Author Talk: Fiona Basile Immerse Time: 11.00am Venue: Mornington Library | ||
| Readings Books | Join us to celebrate the double launch of Dark Deeds Down Under 2 and The She Wolf of Baker Street. Emma Viskic, Robert Gott and Narelle M. Harris with Katherine Kovacoc Time: 2.00pm Venue: St. Kilda | |||
| Bathurst Writers and Readers Festival | Rhys Gard, Aoife Clifford & James McKenzie Watson in conversation Time: 1.00pm Venue: Bathurst Memorial Ent. Centre | |||
| Mildura Library | Morning tea with Amanda Hampson The Cryptic Clue Time: 10.00am Venue: Mildura Library | |||
| Q.Lit.Victoria | Workshops at the Wodonga Library Time: 10.30am-3.30pm Venue: Wodonga Library | |||
| Readings Books | Famous Warehouse Sale! Time: 10am – 6pm Venue: Readings Warehouse, 3/119-123 Adderley Street, West Melbourne | |||
| 26th | The Lamm Jewish Library | Author Talk: Lee Kofman in convo with Ramona Koval Time: 3.00pm Venue: The Lamm Jewish Library, Melb | ||
| Eltham Bookshop | Author Event: Cassandra Pybus Truganini & A Very Secret Trade Time: 3.00pm Venue: Edendale Community Farm | |||
| 27th | Readings Books | Ariane Beeston in conversation with Clare Wright, discussing Because I’m Not Myself, You See (Black Inc) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | |
| Northern Books | Books at the Brewery: Truganini, Cassandra Pybus Time: 6pm Venue: Shedshaker Brewery, Castlemaine | |||
| 28th | Readings Books | Jake Adelstein in conversation Tokyo Noir (Scribe) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Cinema Nova |  | |
| Readings Books | Book Launch: The Desert Knows Her Name by Lia Hills (Affirm) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| Heads and Tales Bookshop, Barwon Heads | An evening with Annabelle Hickson & Sophie Hansen, in conversation with Jaclyn Crupi Time: 6.00pm Venue: Barwon Heads Community Hall |  | ||
| La Trobe City Libraries | Author Talk: Glenna Thomson Gone Time: 7pm Venue: Traralgon Library | |||
| GV Libraries | Author Talk: TM Clark Song of the Starlings Time: 10.30am Venue: Tatura Library Time: 2.30pm Venue: Nagambie Library | |||
| Literari Glitterati Book Club | Book Club launch in the Triple R Performance Space, with Mel Fulton, Romy Vager, Hayley Percy & Andrea Goldsmith The Monkey’s Mask by Dorothy Porter Time: 7.00pm | |||
| BMI Library | Pam Swanborough Red Gifts in the Garden of Stories Time: 6.00pm Venue: BMI Library, Ballarat | |||
| Port Phillip Libraries | Ben’s Book Club: Ben Hobson chats with Louise Milligan Pheasants Nest Time: 7.30pm Venue: ONLINE | |||
| 29th | Western Port Writes | Author Talk: Garry Disher, Sanctuary Time: 10.00am Venue: Tulum Store, Balnarring Beach | ||
| Farrells Bookshop | Author Event: Rosie Batty Hope Time: 6.30pm Venue: The Studio, PCT |  | ||
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Artful Lives by Penny Olsen Time: 6.30pm Venue: St. Kilda | |||
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Smoke by Michael Brissenden (Affirm) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| The Kids Bookshop, Mitcham | PD for Primary Teachers with Claire Saxby Tree (A&U) Time: 4.60pm Venue: in store, Mitchaem | |||
| Collins Booksellers Sale | Author Event: Glenna Thomson Gone Time: 7.00pm Venue: Sale Library | |||
| GV Libraries | Author Talk: TM Clark Song of the Starlings Time: 10.30am Venue: Cobram Library Time: 2.30pm Venue: Yarrawonga Library | |||
| 29th May-June 3rd | FESTIVAL | Words on the Waves, Central Coast, NSW Immerse yourself in a festival of stories and ideas on the scenic Central Coast | ||
| 30th | Hill of Content | Writers on the Hill with Sophie Hansen, Annabelle Hickson in convo with Jaclyn Crupi THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED | ||
| 30th | Readings Books | Book Launch: Original Twin by Paula Gleeson (Amazon Pub) Time: 6.00pm Venue: Emporium |  | |
| Readings Books | Hugh Mackay in conversation to discuss The Way We Are Time: 6.30pm Venue: Cinema Nova |  | ||
| Readings Books | Book Launch: Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough (HG) Time: 6.30pm Venue: Carlton |  | ||
| Port Phillip Libraries | Author Talk: Justine Sless Measured Silk & Other Stories Time: 7.30pm Venue: St. Kilda Library Note: this event is now June 4! |  | ||
| Collins Bookseller on Lydiard, Ballarat | Author Talk: Robbi Neal With Winter Comes Darkness Time: 6.30pm Venue: Old Colonists Club, Ballarat | |||
| GV Libraries | Author Talk: TM Clark Song of the Starlings Time: 2.30am Venue: Numurkah Library | |||
| Eltham Bookshop | Lili Wilkinson Deep is the Fen in convo with Hayley Gabrielle Time: 6.30pm Venue: in store | |||
| Warrnambool Library | Kerryn Mayne Joy Moody is Out Of Time Time: 6.30pm Venue: Warrnambool Library | |||
| 30th May-June 2nd | FESTIVAL | Brisbane Writers Festival QLD As Australia’s oldest continuous writers’ festival, BWF has a long and storied history of connecting communities, showcasing creativity and finding just the right words. | ||
| 31st | GV Libraries | Author Talk: TM Clark Song of the Starlings Time: 10.30am Venue: Murchison Heritage Centre | ||
| Your Library Ltd | Meet the Author: Leanne Margaret The Love of the Universe Time: 2.00pm Venue: Lilydale Library | |||
| Readings Kids | Doncaster Book Club: Guest Author Erin Gough Into the Mouth of the Wolf Time: 7.30pm Venue: Doncaster store |