Michelle de Kretser on Writing as Serious Play

The Writers at Work series invites writers to consider: What kinds of labour are entailed in literary production and publication? What does it mean to describe oneself, or be described, as a writer? Who does a writer work for and what processes produce the literary work as we encounter it?

Join us for a conversation between novelist Michelle de Kretser and Belinda Castles from the Department of English for a discussion on the appeal of satire in Michelle’s latest work, Scary Monsters.

Michelle de Kretser is the author of several works of fiction including The Life to Come, Questions of Travel, The Lost Dog and most recently Scary Monsters, as well as an essay on Shirley Hazzard. Among her many awards are the Miles Franklin Literary Award, the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the ALS Gold Medal.

On Scary Monsters: “the book’s overriding sense of anger and alarm also mingles with satirical glee. Even if she obviously has the apocalyptic drift of the present in sight, De Kretser passes on to the reader the inescapable feeling that she’s also having fun, in this engaging amalgam of lament and warning shot.” – Anthony Cummins, Guardian

Venue/event delivery

This event will be held online via Zoom (link will be sent after completing registration).