Well, I was about to say it's nearly time for the Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival, but in fact it's already on. It's been running since last Thursday. It's running until this coming weekend, and the person who can tell us all about that is Silvia Velez, who's the community learning officer at the libraries unit at the Brimbank Library. Silvia, welcome to the show.

Well, I was about to say it's nearly time for the Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival, but in fact it's already on. It's been running since last Thursday. It's running until this coming weekend, and the person who can tell us all about that is Silvia Velez, who's the community learning officer at the libraries unit at the Brimbank Library. Silvia, welcome to the show.

Thank you Chris. Thank you.

Thank you Chris. Thank you.

Now, I know I said this last time we were talking about, um, the Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival. I didn't say it to you. Um, and that is one of the things I love about this festival is it has the word readers in its title. So many writers festivals, which really are about the readers coming to hear. The writers don't acknowledge the readers as much as this festival does. And I think that's a really interesting point of difference. Readers are really crucial to these festivals, aren't they?

Now, I know I said this last time we were talking about, um, the Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival. I didn't say it to you. Um, and that is one of the things I love about this festival is it has the word readers in its title. So many writers festivals, which really are about the readers coming to hear. The writers don't acknowledge the readers as much as this festival does. And I think that's a really interesting point of difference. Readers are really crucial to these festivals, aren't they?

Absolutely. And I think that, um, our community loves the fact that it is involving everyone in whatever creative capacity they can come. Um, you just need to love reading or want to love reading. Um, some people get hooked once they come to one of our workshops. Um, so it is about celebrating, um, creativity in every shape and form through through words.

Absolutely. And I think that, um, our community loves the fact that it is involving everyone in whatever creative capacity they can come. Um, you just need to love reading or want to love reading. Um, some people get hooked once they come to one of our workshops. Um, so it is about celebrating, um, creativity in every shape and form through through words.

Um, it's a pretty big program. A number of things have already happened, obviously. Am I right in thinking this program just keeps growing?

Um, it's a pretty big program. A number of things have already happened, obviously. Am I right in thinking this program just keeps growing?

Oh, look. It does. And I think that, um, it changes every year. Um, because we're trying to, um, come up with programs that really, um, speak to the community and the community needs. And every year we get fantastic feedback. So it is really designed for and with our community. They tell us things they want. Um, this year is the 20th anniversary. Um, 20 years running, which is amazing for a festival of this type. And we have 20 events throughout the ten days. It runs until the 22nd of March. Um, so it is growing in quality and quantity, but most importantly in the amount of people that are engaging. So that's that's the good part.

Oh, look. It does. And I think that, um, it changes every year. Um, because we're trying to, um, come up with programs that really, um, speak to the community and the community needs. And every year we get fantastic feedback. So it is really designed for and with our community. They tell us things they want. Um, this year is the 20th anniversary. Um, 20 years running, which is amazing for a festival of this type. And we have 20 events throughout the ten days. It runs until the 22nd of March. Um, so it is growing in quality and quantity, but most importantly in the amount of people that are engaging. So that's that's the good part.

Mm. Um, so what have we got left to, uh, to engage with for the rest of this week? Um, what are some of the highlights, Sylvia?

Mm. Um, so what have we got left to, uh, to engage with for the rest of this week? Um, what are some of the highlights, Sylvia?

That's that's a tough question. Who's your favorite child? This is a tough one. There's so, so many good programs. Um, look, we have something for everyone. And the idea is that writing and reading is really for everyone. For all of us, at all ages and stages. So we have author talks, we have writing workshops, we have storytelling, we have concerts coming up. Um, I'd probably highlight that if you have young listeners on board, there's two fantastic workshops, um, on Wednesday and Thursday. One of them with Lily Wilkinson, um, who is the author of A Hunger of Thorns. She's got a great following amongst the young adults in the community and Melbourne author and also Alex Miles of, um, Geek Academy fame. And she's very inspiring, especially for girls to get into science. Um, fantastic books like the Pyramid Puzzle. So we are very lucky to have them delivering workshops now. All our events are free, Chris, as you know, and, um. It's amazing. They, they they do book quickly. So you do have to book, um, if you have any listeners out there with The Funny Bone, we have a comedy writing workshop as well.

That's that's a tough question. Who's your favorite child? This is a tough one. There's so, so many good programs. Um, look, we have something for everyone. And the idea is that writing and reading is really for everyone. For all of us, at all ages and stages. So we have author talks, we have writing workshops, we have storytelling, we have concerts coming up. Um, I'd probably highlight that if you have young listeners on board, there's two fantastic workshops, um, on Wednesday and Thursday. One of them with Lily Wilkinson, um, who is the author of A Hunger of Thorns. She's got a great following amongst the young adults in the community and Melbourne author and also Alex Miles of, um, Geek Academy fame. And she's very inspiring, especially for girls to get into science. Um, fantastic books like the Pyramid Puzzle. So we are very lucky to have them delivering workshops now. All our events are free, Chris, as you know, and, um. It's amazing. They, they they do book quickly. So you do have to book, um, if you have any listeners out there with The Funny Bone, we have a comedy writing workshop as well.

Oh, fantastic.

Oh, fantastic.

And, um, of course, we've got a great online, um, program, uh, happening with Holden Shepherd. Um, and talk about him in a bit, I think.

And, um, of course, we've got a great online, um, program, uh, happening with Holden Shepherd. Um, and talk about him in a bit, I think.

Yes.

Yes.

We will. Um, and the icing on the cake is, um, the on Friday the 21st, thanks to our partnership with Vision Australia Radio. Um, we will announce the Microfiction competition winners with the writer Tiara Napper. That will be at 3:00. So that's another one to tune into.

We will. Um, and the icing on the cake is, um, the on Friday the 21st, thanks to our partnership with Vision Australia Radio. Um, we will announce the Microfiction competition winners with the writer Tiara Napper. That will be at 3:00. So that's another one to tune into.

Fantastic. Now there's one I have to ask you about, Sylvia. Yes. Because it's just I keep keep coming back to it. Um, it also along with the Vision Australia Radio um, event on Friday. It's also happening on Friday. It's called Meatballs Around the World, and it's happening at the Aquatic Center. Now explain those two things to me.

Fantastic. Now there's one I have to ask you about, Sylvia. Yes. Because it's just I keep keep coming back to it. Um, it also along with the Vision Australia Radio um, event on Friday. It's also happening on Friday. It's called Meatballs Around the World, and it's happening at the Aquatic Center. Now explain those two things to me.

That is an interesting one, isn't it? Well, you see, we find that cookbooks and cooking is something that unites us. All right?

That is an interesting one, isn't it? Well, you see, we find that cookbooks and cooking is something that unites us. All right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

And we have such a diverse, culturally diverse community in Brimbank. It's just probably one of the most diverse communities in Victoria, if not Australia. Um, that that the Countrywomen's Association came up with the idea of exploring the humble meatball across five different cuisines. And so we'll have recipes and cookbooks and a demonstration, and then we get to eat.

And we have such a diverse, culturally diverse community in Brimbank. It's just probably one of the most diverse communities in Victoria, if not Australia. Um, that that the Countrywomen's Association came up with the idea of exploring the humble meatball across five different cuisines. And so we'll have recipes and cookbooks and a demonstration, and then we get to eat.

But you haven't explained why we're at why we're at the aquatic centre. I have this image of us, uh, up to our elbows in water eating meatballs. Right.

But you haven't explained why we're at why we're at the aquatic centre. I have this image of us, uh, up to our elbows in water eating meatballs. Right.

Well, it's interesting because the aquatic. The Brimbank Aquatic and wellness Center. It has an amazing setup of health programs and all sorts of outreach health programs as well. And they have a great cooking kitchen facility.

Well, it's interesting because the aquatic. The Brimbank Aquatic and wellness Center. It has an amazing setup of health programs and all sorts of outreach health programs as well. And they have a great cooking kitchen facility.

So that's why it's there. I see. Right?

So that's why it's there. I see. Right?

Yes. Now, now I can't unsee the idea. Everyone in swimmers eating meatballs around the pool.

Yes. Now, now I can't unsee the idea. Everyone in swimmers eating meatballs around the pool.

Well, there you go. That's an event for the 21st festival. Yeah. Now, you did mention Holden Sheppard before, who's got an online event on Wednesday. Um, tell us a bit about Holden.

Well, there you go. That's an event for the 21st festival. Yeah. Now, you did mention Holden Sheppard before, who's got an online event on Wednesday. Um, tell us a bit about Holden.

Oh, look, Holden is amazing. Um, he's he's a West Australian author, and his 2019 debut novel, Invisible Boy won many awards, including the WA Premier Prize for an emerging writer, and it was recently adapted as a ten episode series. So it's going to be on telly in Australia. So that is a very exciting, um, adaptation of a of a great book. His second book, The Brink, has also won several prizes, and his third novel, King of Dirt, will be published in June. So he's quite prolific. He lives in Perth, far north, with his husband and his V8 Utes. Uh.

Oh, look, Holden is amazing. Um, he's he's a West Australian author, and his 2019 debut novel, Invisible Boy won many awards, including the WA Premier Prize for an emerging writer, and it was recently adapted as a ten episode series. So it's going to be on telly in Australia. So that is a very exciting, um, adaptation of a of a great book. His second book, The Brink, has also won several prizes, and his third novel, King of Dirt, will be published in June. So he's quite prolific. He lives in Perth, far north, with his husband and his V8 Utes. Uh.

Well, uh, then it's probably quite good fortune that we happen to have Holden Sheppard on the line, so I'll come back to you in a minute, Sylvia. But for now, welcome to the show, Holden.

Well, uh, then it's probably quite good fortune that we happen to have Holden Sheppard on the line, so I'll come back to you in a minute, Sylvia. But for now, welcome to the show, Holden.

Good day. Chris. Really nice to be here. Thanks for having me.

Good day. Chris. Really nice to be here. Thanks for having me.

Now, I love the end of the little biographical information that Sylvia was just giving us on you. That you live with your husband and your V8 ute. Um, put them in an order of priority for us.

Now, I love the end of the little biographical information that Sylvia was just giving us on you. That you live with your husband and your V8 ute. Um, put them in an order of priority for us.

Um, well. It's tight. There's a reason they're both in my official author bio, but, uh, look, I'm going to say the husband comes first.

Um, well. It's tight. There's a reason they're both in my official author bio, but, uh, look, I'm going to say the husband comes first.

Correct answer, and then.

Correct answer, and then.

And then, you know, the ute, I mean, Phantom comes a close second. The Utes got a name and everything.

And then, you know, the ute, I mean, Phantom comes a close second. The Utes got a name and everything.

Oh, right.

Oh, right.

Yeah. No, I'm very proud of my. I've got an ss ss ute that I always wanted when I was a teenager. I finally got it when I was an adult and very, very proud of it.

Yeah. No, I'm very proud of my. I've got an ss ss ute that I always wanted when I was a teenager. I finally got it when I was an adult and very, very proud of it.

Um, now, uh, when I, um, I knew from Sylvia that she was keen to, um, maybe focus a little bit on your session that's coming up this Wednesday. Um, the online session that Sylvia has already talked to us a little bit about. Um. Ah, to my shame, Holden, I went, oh, I don't think I've ever read any Holden Sheppard. Um, so I've remedied that as much as I could in the very short amount of time I had. So I've read The Man You Must Be very early short story of yours. Uh, and I've managed two chapters so far, of the brink. And the thing that's really struck me, um, is there's to me, there's a real immediacy and an energy to your writing that that I find really engaging. Where does that come from in your in the way you approach storytelling?

Um, now, uh, when I, um, I knew from Sylvia that she was keen to, um, maybe focus a little bit on your session that's coming up this Wednesday. Um, the online session that Sylvia has already talked to us a little bit about. Um. Ah, to my shame, Holden, I went, oh, I don't think I've ever read any Holden Sheppard. Um, so I've remedied that as much as I could in the very short amount of time I had. So I've read The Man You Must Be very early short story of yours. Uh, and I've managed two chapters so far, of the brink. And the thing that's really struck me, um, is there's to me, there's a real immediacy and an energy to your writing that that I find really engaging. Where does that come from in your in the way you approach storytelling?

Yeah, I'm really chuffed to hear that you've, um, got a vibe of The Brink and, um, yeah, a man is a very, very early short story. It's my first published short story.

Yeah, I'm really chuffed to hear that you've, um, got a vibe of The Brink and, um, yeah, a man is a very, very early short story. It's my first published short story.

It's pretty good.

It's pretty good.

Oh, I'll take it. I think I was, uh, 2009. I was about 20, and I was at uni, and I wrote it, uh, based. And I think the energy comes from it's based so heavily on real life as much as what I write is fiction, so much of the feelings and thoughts are pretty much mine. And so, um, something like a man, for example. It was about a day in the life of a labourer. It was written at a time when I was working as a labourer, you know, for my dad in earthmoving. So I was digging trenches all day, and that was my life. And it just comes from channeling that, I guess, uh, without a filter is what I try to do. I try not to think about, um, what's going to work for an audience or how to, you know, How do I shape this? For maximum appeal to the readers? I just try to tell it like it is. And so there is something raw and unfiltered in the energy that comes through in my writing. And, um, yeah, I'm glad that resonates with readers.

Oh, I'll take it. I think I was, uh, 2009. I was about 20, and I was at uni, and I wrote it, uh, based. And I think the energy comes from it's based so heavily on real life as much as what I write is fiction, so much of the feelings and thoughts are pretty much mine. And so, um, something like a man, for example. It was about a day in the life of a labourer. It was written at a time when I was working as a labourer, you know, for my dad in earthmoving. So I was digging trenches all day, and that was my life. And it just comes from channeling that, I guess, uh, without a filter is what I try to do. I try not to think about, um, what's going to work for an audience or how to, you know, How do I shape this? For maximum appeal to the readers? I just try to tell it like it is. And so there is something raw and unfiltered in the energy that comes through in my writing. And, um, yeah, I'm glad that resonates with readers.

Yeah, well, it it really works. I think so, um. Thank you. Good thing. Now, on Wednesday, um, uh, at 7:00 online, um, you're going to be speaking with Stephen Russell. Um, have you got a sense of what the session is going to cover? Um, I guess it's going to cover the new book. Um, but are you talking, uh, about your approach to writing, um, why you write, uh, that kind of thing. Do you have a sense of that yet, or are you completely open to what Stephen asks you?

Yeah, well, it it really works. I think so, um. Thank you. Good thing. Now, on Wednesday, um, uh, at 7:00 online, um, you're going to be speaking with Stephen Russell. Um, have you got a sense of what the session is going to cover? Um, I guess it's going to cover the new book. Um, but are you talking, uh, about your approach to writing, um, why you write, uh, that kind of thing. Do you have a sense of that yet, or are you completely open to what Stephen asks you?

Yeah. You know, I love to come into an in-conversation event like this, especially now having a few pieces of work out in the world. I like to just come to it and be like, let's just see where it goes. You know, early on in my career, it was kind of, you know, if you're on a tour of a particular new book, you'll be, you know, you'll be flogging the new book. And that's what you're talking about. Yeah. But with something like this where I'm not on a current promo campaign, my third novel, King of Dirt, isn't out until June, so I'll be chatting about everything, and I'm looking forward to just wherever Stephen takes. The conversation is where we'll go. So we'll talk about Invisible Boys on the brink. We will probably talk about the TV series adaptation of Invisible Boys, which is on Stan at the moment. We'll probably talk about writing process, as you say, all kinds of things. It really the best in conversations, I think, both for the author and for the audience, is when you just let it be a chat and you don't kind of come into it thinking we're going to perform or we're going to structure it really tightly, we just have a chat about the work and see where it leads. So I'm really looking forward to that kind of spontaneity with Stephen on Wednesday.

Yeah. You know, I love to come into an in-conversation event like this, especially now having a few pieces of work out in the world. I like to just come to it and be like, let's just see where it goes. You know, early on in my career, it was kind of, you know, if you're on a tour of a particular new book, you'll be, you know, you'll be flogging the new book. And that's what you're talking about. Yeah. But with something like this where I'm not on a current promo campaign, my third novel, King of Dirt, isn't out until June, so I'll be chatting about everything, and I'm looking forward to just wherever Stephen takes. The conversation is where we'll go. So we'll talk about Invisible Boys on the brink. We will probably talk about the TV series adaptation of Invisible Boys, which is on Stan at the moment. We'll probably talk about writing process, as you say, all kinds of things. It really the best in conversations, I think, both for the author and for the audience, is when you just let it be a chat and you don't kind of come into it thinking we're going to perform or we're going to structure it really tightly, we just have a chat about the work and see where it leads. So I'm really looking forward to that kind of spontaneity with Stephen on Wednesday.

I'm going to hazard a guess at a question Stephen might ask you. Um, and that is, um, Invisible Boys and the brink. Young adult novels. Um. Uh. King of dirt. Adult novel. Uh, is there a difference to you, or is it really just about the age of the central characters that we're reading about?

I'm going to hazard a guess at a question Stephen might ask you. Um, and that is, um, Invisible Boys and the brink. Young adult novels. Um. Uh. King of dirt. Adult novel. Uh, is there a difference to you, or is it really just about the age of the central characters that we're reading about?

Yeah, it's really, I think people who've read my first two books will be in no way shaken or thrown by King of Dirt. Um, because my style has always been the same, even even with a man that short story. I mean, that was about an adult for adults. Yeah. And, uh, the voice is pretty much the same. My writing style is pretty much the same. Um, I think King of Dirt is a better written novel. I think with each book, I've learned a little bit more about my craft and gotten, uh, better at what I do. But I think really, the difference between the first novels and King of Dirt is just the age of the characters, and that's about it, because the readership of Invisible Boys on the brink, actually, even though they were released as young adult titles, uh, the readership is adult. It crossed over completely. You know, most of my readers, people who come to my events, people who listen to me talk or send me fan mail, are adults who want to reflect on that time in their lives when they were in adolescence. So, um, I expect yeah, people will find it pretty much the same. I think the only thing is with King of Dirt. Um, I didn't have any gatekeeping. You know, there are still some limits with the young adult. You have to kind of be cautious about what you do. Um, which makes sense, obviously, for 15 and 18 year olds, um, as well as adults. So with King of Dirt, I've just been able to go, great. You know, this is for adults. I can write full sex scenes and and enjoy, you know, really exploring it. So I've kind of kind of channeled my inner Christos Tsiolkas a little bit and, uh, and, uh, yeah, there's lots of, lots of, um, enjoyable scenes.

Yeah, it's really, I think people who've read my first two books will be in no way shaken or thrown by King of Dirt. Um, because my style has always been the same, even even with a man that short story. I mean, that was about an adult for adults. Yeah. And, uh, the voice is pretty much the same. My writing style is pretty much the same. Um, I think King of Dirt is a better written novel. I think with each book, I've learned a little bit more about my craft and gotten, uh, better at what I do. But I think really, the difference between the first novels and King of Dirt is just the age of the characters, and that's about it, because the readership of Invisible Boys on the brink, actually, even though they were released as young adult titles, uh, the readership is adult. It crossed over completely. You know, most of my readers, people who come to my events, people who listen to me talk or send me fan mail, are adults who want to reflect on that time in their lives when they were in adolescence. So, um, I expect yeah, people will find it pretty much the same. I think the only thing is with King of Dirt. Um, I didn't have any gatekeeping. You know, there are still some limits with the young adult. You have to kind of be cautious about what you do. Um, which makes sense, obviously, for 15 and 18 year olds, um, as well as adults. So with King of Dirt, I've just been able to go, great. You know, this is for adults. I can write full sex scenes and and enjoy, you know, really exploring it. So I've kind of kind of channeled my inner Christos Tsiolkas a little bit and, uh, and, uh, yeah, there's lots of, lots of, um, enjoyable scenes.

Fantastic. Well, chuckers for Wednesday night. Um, I think I better ask Sylvia about how we find out about the program, but for now, Holden Shepherd. Thanks.

Fantastic. Well, chuckers for Wednesday night. Um, I think I better ask Sylvia about how we find out about the program, but for now, Holden Shepherd. Thanks.

Thank you so much for having me, Chris. It's been a pleasure.

Thank you so much for having me, Chris. It's been a pleasure.

Well, thank you, Holden. And of course, thank you to you, Sylvia Velez. Um, now, if people want to get hold of the program, how do we how do people find it?

Well, thank you, Holden. And of course, thank you to you, Sylvia Velez. Um, now, if people want to get hold of the program, how do we how do people find it?

Very easy. If you Google Brimbank Writers Festival, it comes up right away. Or go to a Brimbank Library's website. Um, all the bookings are, um, bookings. Pages are there, and it's easy to book any of the programs. If you do not have access online. You can also ring us, um, at the libraries or at council and we can help you book.

Very easy. If you Google Brimbank Writers Festival, it comes up right away. Or go to a Brimbank Library's website. Um, all the bookings are, um, bookings. Pages are there, and it's easy to book any of the programs. If you do not have access online. You can also ring us, um, at the libraries or at council and we can help you book.

Fantastic. Well, Sylvia Velez, I hope the festival continues to be fantastic for the rest of the week. Uh, and look forward to speaking to you or someone else about the festival next year. Um, Sylvia Velez, Holden Sheppard, thank you both for being on the show.

Fantastic. Well, Sylvia Velez, I hope the festival continues to be fantastic for the rest of the week. Uh, and look forward to speaking to you or someone else about the festival next year. Um, Sylvia Velez, Holden Sheppard, thank you both for being on the show.

Thank you, Chris, and thank you very much to Australian radio for your continued sponsorship and support.

Thank you, Chris, and thank you very much to Australian radio for your continued sponsorship and support.

Fantastic. Thanks.

Fantastic. Thanks.