Sessions By Type

David Knoff (537 Days of Winter) was leading a mission at Davis Station in Antarctica when the pandemic hit. Keeping everyone safe and getting them home took all David’s experience... Read More

Join troubadour historian Robyn Annear for a Melbourne drift, with sidelong glances at Williamstown. Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15  

When her own father sued her, TV journalist Mimi Kwa turned to her rich family history to understand why. This riveting story spans the lives of four generations from the... Read More

Jonathan Butler uncovers a forgotten wartime murder and investigates Australia’s queer military history in this engrossing  new book. Jonathan Butler in conversation with Robyn Annear   Full $20, Conc $18,... Read More

Unfortunately due to COVID, this session has been cancelled. Those with tickets will be contacted and automatically refunded. Journalist Van Badham (Qanon and On) delves into the why, how and who of... Read More

Learn about the thousands of migratory shorebirds found in the Hobson’s Bay wetlands. Jackie Kerin invites you to the launch of her latest book, co-written with pilot, zoologist and bird... Read More

Join homegrown author, Richard Dove, and artist Kyoko Imazu, as they launch The Promise: a fable of the enduring power of one boy’s promise, and the wisdom of living a... Read More

Willy Lit Fest Writing Prizes Join Enza Gandolfo, acclaimed author of The Bridge, for the announcement of the winners of the Adas Poetry, Biographical Prose and Young Adas Prizes, and... Read More

Learn about the thousands of migratory shorebirds found in the Hobson’s Bay wetlands. Jackie Kerin invites you to the launch of her latest book, co-written with pilot, zoologist and bird... Read More

Be amazed by the Poets of St Mary’s School Williamstown. Under the guidance of hip hop artist Mantra, the students perform Poetry Slams, Poet Versus Poet, Team versus Team.   Full... Read More

Jackie Kerin and musician Sarah Depasquale take you on a playful journey following the path of migratory shore birds, from Sandy Point in Newport to Siberia.   Full $15, children free,... Read More

Join homegrown author, Richard Dove, and artist Kyoko Imazu, as they launch The Promise: a fable of the enduring power of one boy’s promise, and the wisdom of living a... Read More

Learn about the thousands of migratory shorebirds found in the Hobson’s Bay wetlands. Jackie Kerin invites you to the launch of her latest book, co-written with pilot, zoologist and bird... Read More

The most entertaining writing competition in the West. 16 local writers each read a four-minute piece of their own work, then the audience votes for their favourites. Prizes for prose... Read More

Willy Lit Fest Writing Prizes Join Enza Gandolfo, acclaimed author of The Bridge, for the announcement of the winners of the Adas Poetry, Biographical Prose and Young Adas Prizes, and... Read More

Be amazed by the Poets of St Mary’s School Williamstown. Under the guidance of hip hop artist Mantra, the students perform Poetry Slams, Poet Versus Poet, Team versus Team.   Full... Read More

Jackie Kerin and musician Sarah Depasquale take you on a playful journey following the path of migratory shore birds, from Sandy Point in Newport to Siberia.   Full $15, children free,... Read More

Join homegrown author, Richard Dove, and artist Kyoko Imazu, as they launch The Promise: a fable of the enduring power of one boy’s promise, and the wisdom of living a... Read More

Join Dinner Party Press as they host three debuts and one musical act, masters of their respective forms, performing on the festival theme: Days Like These   Gareth Morgan (When... Read More

Leigh Hobbs, Kerry Fowler, Lucia Nardo and Vicki Milliken bring the past to life as they share stories of generations of their families living in ever-changing Williamstown. Chair: Loraine Callow... Read More

Life-affirming stories of the challenges and joys experienced by the resilient Greek migrants who changed the culture of the West. Olympia Koziaris in conversation with Dorothy Poulopoulos   Full $20,... Read More

Join troubadour historian Robyn Annear for a Melbourne drift, with sidelong glances at Williamstown. Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15  

Jonathan Butler uncovers a forgotten wartime murder and investigates Australia’s queer military history in this engrossing  new book. Jonathan Butler in conversation with Robyn Annear   Full $20, Conc $18,... Read More

Willy Lit Fest is proud to present internationally acclaimed Australian psychologist, Peter Quarry in conversation with Hannah Capon talking about his newly released part memoir, part self-help book If I... Read More

Philosophy for wisdom, solace, and pleasure in this perplexing world. Michael McGirr in conversation with Sarah L’Estrange   Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15  

We love reading it but what compels an author to take on the challenging task of writing it? Find out from two award-winning writers at the top of their game.... Read More

What are your investments, including  your superannuation, currently helping to fund? Nicole Haddow (The Ethical Investor; Smashed Avocado) will help you ensure your money goes towards a greener future. Nicole... Read More

As a child in country Queensland, the ABC’s Lisa Millar dreamed of a big life which working as a foreign correspondent provided but it also meant confronting the worst of... Read More

Suzanne McCourt (The Tulip Tree) and Caroline Petit (The Natural History of Love) delve into the upheaval of 20th century Poland and 19th century Brazil before their sweeping novels land... Read More

David Knoff (537 Days of Winter) was leading a mission at Davis Station in Antarctica when the pandemic hit. Keeping everyone safe and getting them home took all David’s experience... Read More

Tony Birch (Dark as Last Night) and Paddy O’Reilly (Other Houses) show empathy and love for the marginalised in their latest compelling works. Chair: Toni Jordan   Full $20, Conc... Read More

A nature writer reflects on fatherhood and conservation in an uncertain world. Harry Saddler in conversation with Angela Savage   Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15  

Hear how brilliant comic writers Toni Jordan (Dinner with the Schnabels) and Katherine Collette (The Competition) create characters to warm our hearts. Chair: Jane Sullivan   Full $20, Conc $18,... Read More

After a lifetime of trying to please everyone, Grace Jennings-Edquist (The Yes Woman) set out to resist the need to say ‘yes’. It’s a radical feat for a woman but... Read More

Life-affirming stories of the challenges and joys experienced by the resilient Greek migrants who changed the culture of the West. Olympia Koziaris in conversation with Dorothy Poulopoulos   Full $20,... Read More

Peter Doherty (An Insider’s Plague Year) and Andrew Wear (Recovery) discuss ways we can use the lessons from the pandemic to build a better future. Chair: Paul Barclay   Full... Read More

Hear awe-inspiring stories about the bliss, pain and mystery of humans and the sea. Mark Smith (Lines to the Horizon) in conversation with Jock Serong   Full $20, Conc $18,... Read More

An eye-opening look at the medical and moral hazards that beset health professionals. Two world-leading doctors reveal the true state of medicine and how patients are being let down. Ian... Read More

Sinéad Stubbins (In My Defence I Have No Defence) always knew that her ‘best self’ was possible, if she just ticked the right boxes. A wild and funny reckoning on... Read More

When her own father sued her, TV journalist Mimi Kwa turned to her rich family history to understand why. This riveting story spans the lives of four generations from the... Read More

Unfortunately due to COVID, this session has been cancelled. Those with tickets will be contacted and automatically refunded. How Melbourne woman, Sneha Lees found freedom, despite being a disappointment to... Read More

Jonathan Butler uncovers a forgotten wartime murder and investigates Australia’s queer military history in this engrossing  new book. Jonathan Butler in conversation with Robyn Annear   Full $20, Conc $18,... Read More

Unfortunately due to COVID, this session has been cancelled. Those with tickets will be contacted and automatically refunded. Journalist Van Badham (Qanon and On) delves into the why, how and who of... Read More

Peter Doherty (An Insider’s Plague Year) and Andrew Wear (Recovery) discuss ways we can use the lessons from the pandemic to build a better future. Chair: Paul Barclay   Full... Read More

If you like your fiction well-written with atmosphere, suspense, and surprise then Melbourne writers, Mark Brandi (The Others) and Laura Elizabeth Woollett (The Newcomer) will make your day. Chair: Mark... Read More

Jackie Kerin and musician Sarah Depasquale take you on a playful journey following the path of migratory shore birds, from Sandy Point in Newport to Siberia.   Full $15, children free,... Read More

Be amazed by the Poets of St Mary’s School Williamstown. Under the guidance of hip hop artist Mantra, the students perform Poetry Slams, Poet Versus Poet, Team versus Team.   Full... Read More

Whether you’re tackling a blank page or finishing a suite of poems, this workshop will help you navigate wild memories and write poems that help to express who you are... Read More

Hear from Maxine Beneba Clarke (How Decent Folk Behave), Angela Costi (An Embroidery of Old Maps and New) and Amanda Anastasi (The Inheritors). Chair: Helen Jarvis   Full $20, Conc... Read More

Fans of Jane Harper will find their next great read here. Aoife Clifford (When We Fall) and Simon Rowell (The Long Game). Chair: Angela Meyer   Full $20, Conc $18,... Read More

Hilde Hinton (A Solitary Walk on the Moon), Robert Lukins (Loveland) & Michael Winkler (Grimmish) read and discuss their latest works. Chair: Angela Meyer   Full $20, Conc $18, Early... Read More

If you like your fiction well-written with atmosphere, suspense, and surprise then Melbourne writers, Mark Brandi (The Others) and Laura Elizabeth Woollett (The Newcomer) will make your day. Chair: Mark... Read More

Miles Allinson (In Moonland), Mandy Beaumont (The Furies) and Emily Spurr (A Million Things) read and discuss their latest works. Chair: Emily Westmoreland   Full $20, Conc $18, Early $15... Read More

Hear from Maxine Beneba Clarke (How Decent Folk Behave), Angela Costi (An Embroidery of Old Maps and New) and Amanda Anastasi (The Inheritors). Chair: Helen Jarvis   Full $20, Conc... Read More

Join Dinner Party Press as they host three debuts and one musical act, masters of their respective forms, performing on the festival theme: Days Like These   Gareth Morgan (When... Read More

The Willy U3A Cryptic Crossword group presents an interactive workshop, revealing how to unravel cryptic clues. From beginners to masters.   Full $15, Conc $12  

New ways are emerging for writers and artists to get their work into print. Join author and publisher, Richard Dove, and artist, Kyoko Imazu, to hear how they collaborated to... Read More

Whether you’re tackling a blank page or finishing a suite of poems, this workshop will help you navigate wild memories and write poems that help to express who you are... Read More

It may be uncomfortable but capturing the complexity of human emotions is vital when writing fiction or memoir. Lee Kofman (The Writer Laid Bare) will guide you through these foundational... Read More