Virtual event: 3pm PDT 13 April / 8am AEST 14 April
Creativity Down Under: A Reading and Conversation with Australian Writers

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet some of the most talented writers from the land Down Under! Join seven dynamic and diverse Australian writers, Ashley Hay, Sulari Gentill, James Bradley, Ann-Marie Te Whiu, Kyra Geddes, Laura Jean McKay, and Melanie Cheng as they discuss their individual journeys to publication and their lives as writers in Australia.

https://getlitfestival2025.sched.com/event/1v9vd/creativity-down-under-a-reading-and-conversation-with-australian-writers

Introduction To Creative Writing with Laura Jean McKay

10:00am – 4:00pm AEST, Sunday 16 March

Meeting Room 1B (Level 1, State Library of Queensland)

‘In this Queensland Writers Centre workshop, we’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of great writing – from character, voice, story structure and more - and provide all the information, tools and inspiration you need to get started telling your own stories.’

https://events.humanitix.com/introduction-to-creative-writing-with-laura-jean-mckay

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO EX-CYLONE ALFRED WEATHER. PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE FOR AN UPDATE XX

‘In this Queensland Writers Centre workshop, we’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of great writing – from character, voice, story structure and more - and provide all the information, tools and inspiration you need to get started telling your own stories.’

https://queenslandwriters.org.au/events/intro-to-creative-writing-laura-jean-mckay

UBUD WRITERS’ AND READERS’ FESTIVAL

‘Join us for a discussion on the rise of speculative fiction in literature. Our panel will delve into how authors are harnessing storytelling to highlight urgent human realities, from climate change to the ethical dilemmas of advanced technology and AI. Explore how speculative fiction illuminates both dystopian warnings and hopeful visions of the future, revealing its profound impact on our world. Discover how this genre inspires action, drives awareness, and calls for a greater sense of stewardship and change, and asks, how can we change the world with fiction?

Our panelists are writer and translator Bora Chung, climate fiction writer Steve Willis, award winning writer Laura Jean McKay, and bestselling author Marga Ortigas. Moderated by founder of Asia Literacy Agency Kelly Falconer.’

https://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/program/speculative-fiction-from-utopian-to-dystopian

Photo by Olena Bohovyk on Unsplash

UBUD WRITERS’ AND READERS’ FESTIVAL

‘Eco-fiction, also known as climate fiction or cli-fi, is a genre that tackles the environmental challenges of our time by blending imagination with pressing real-world issues. Eco-fiction raises awareness about the urgency of climate change and the desperate need for action through stories that inspire us to strive for a greener tomorrow. Our panel explores the power of storytelling in shaping our future, the role of fiction in sparking real-world change, and how these narratives can ignite a passion for sustainability and environmental justice.

Our panelists are Laura Jean McKay, an award-winning Australian author, and Steve Stine, a storyteller, mythologist, and writer. Moderated by author and academic Siddarth Shrikanth.’

https://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/program/the-power-of-eco-fiction-inspiring-action-on-climate-change

Photo by Maximus Beaumont on Unsplash

‘In celebration of Love Your Bookshop Day 2024, we are having another Avid Reader Flash Fiction Prize!

Your piece must be 150 words or less and based around the theme: Flash Point.

Our judging panel is the two literary icons Kris Kneen and Laura Jean McKay.

We will announce the winner on LYBD 12 October!

Please email your submissions to events@avidreader.com.au with the subject heading Flash Fiction Prize Submission and your name.

One submission per person! Local to Brisbane and the bookshop so you can collect your prize instore is essential, if you are not located in Brisbane we appreciate your support but please refrain from entering. Good luck!

Submissions close Wednesday 9 October.’

‘SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER | INSTORE EVENT

10am - 1pm | HALF DAY WORKSHOP

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Like a writer, fiction has its own voice – a voice that can be hard to find. Toni Morrison has said ‘Instead of saying something general about [a character], I would say, "I wonder what that is?" and then try to see the world the way they might see it. So that you enter the world instead of hovering over it and trying to dominate it and make it into something. You have to have that kind of absence of hostility—absence of anything. You should do it for every character.'

Perhaps you have an idea for a story but no idea how to tell it? An existing story that doesn’t seem to speak to you anymore? A character who doesn’t have anything to say? Or maybe you’re seeking the answer to that ever-elusive question: what is my writer voice?

Join the short story obsessed Laura Jean McKay in a short fiction workshop to find voice – the author’s voice, the story’s voice and the character’s voice – through readings, exercises, sharing and discussions.’

https://avidreader.com.au/pages/9479-LauraJeanMcKay-TalkingStories

‘SATURDAY 31 AUGUST | STELLA DAY OUT

12pm - 1pm | 60 mins

Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature.

There will be refreshments available before and after each panel throughout the day. 

Join authors Kris Kneen and Laura Jean McKay as they unravel the mysterious art of poetry and short stories. This panel will be moderated by Raelee Lancaster.’

https://stella.org.au/stella-day-out/

https://avidreader.com.au/pages/10199-StellaDayOut-TheArtofFewWords

‘The glee of experimentation is gloriously showcased in these books, whose writers consider the meaning of life by de-centering the human perspective. Whether floating in space or flowing with the cycles of nature, these works invite us to consider our place in the cosmos.’

Laura Jean McKay + Ceridwen Dovey + Catherine Chidgey + Daryl Qilin Yam + Ella Jeffery

https://bwf.org.au/2024/brisbane-writers-festival/inverted-perspectives

‘As humans, we love to see ourselves reflected in the strangest of places. Farmyards. Pigs and spiders. The spirit world. And what do we see when we gaze in the mirror? Usually, so much more than we expect: grief, hope, existential wonder, and more. These three brilliant writers – from NZ, Catherine Chidgey (The Axeman’s Carnival), from Sydney, Angela O’Keeffe (The Sitter), and from Brisbane, Laura Jean McKay (The Animals in That Country) – cast glittering literary nets to scoop up basic human truths, presented through weird and wonderful eyes.’

https://wordsonthewaves.com.au/saturday-program-2024/

‘Story Club takes brilliant Australians from all walks of life and makes them sit in a big comfy chair to tell a true, personal story around a theme. Think bed-time stories but with more oversharing and unmitigated mortification. In this second special Central Coast edition, Story Club will be hurtling through an often-funny, sometimes forlorn four-dimensional continuum with the theme: ‘If I could turn back time’. Stepping into the time machine are speakers Pia Miranda, Benjamin Stevenson, Laura Jean McKay and Adrienne Ferreira. Hosted by the fearless founders Zoe Norton Lodge and Ben Jenkins.’

https://wordsonthewaves.com.au/story-club-2024/

‘Take a walk on the wild side with award-winning writers Chris Flynn and Laura Jean McKay as they discuss their contributions to Griffith Review 82: Animal Magic with journal editor Carody Culver.’

https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2024/animal-magic/

In this special anniversary volume, A Line In The Sand, Red Room Poetry brings together over 80 pieces from leading poets and public figures in a retrospective that covers 20 years of the best Australian poetry.

Hosted by Jennifer Wong, join contributors Eunice Andrada, Kim Cheng Boey, Brendan Cowell, Toby Fitch, Laura Jean McKay, Jazz Money, Bruce Pascoe, and Omar Sakr and as they read their work from the anthology.’

https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2024/a-line-in-the-sand-twenty-years-of-red-room-poetry/

‘Acclaimed short story writer Laura Jean McKay (Gunflower, Holiday in Cambodia) shows you to how to craft characters and dialogue to make your short stories sing.’

https://mwf.com.au/program/laura-jean-mckay-talking-shorts#author

‘Prize-winning writers Siang Lu (Ghost Cities) and Laura Jean McKay (Gunflower) discuss their daring and surreal new works about a different kind of world, speaking with Sofija Stefanovic.’

https://mwf.com.au/program/ghost-cities-and-ghost-futures#author

THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2023 | AVID READER INSTORE EVENT

6.00pm for a 6.30pm start | 60 mins

‘Join us for the launch of Animal Magic Griffith Review 82 with Carody Culver in conversation with Laura Jean McKay, Melanie Saward and Amanda Niehaus.’

https://www.avidreader.com.au/pages/8751-GriffithReview82-AnimalMagic

https://www.griffithreview.com/editions/animal-magic/

Climate Fiction: Laura Jean McKay and Lucy Ayrton in Conversation

It's impact, creation, and relevancy discussed by two brilliant contemporary authors of the genre.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/climate-fiction-laura-jean-mckay-and-lucy-ayrton-in-conversation-tickets-719346072467?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us at Waterstones Trafalgar Square to welcome an international panel of not one, not two, but THREE Arthur C Clarke Award Winning Authors - to talk sci-fi, cli-fi, and why genre fiction matters!

Celebrating the release of her new short story collection, Gunflower, 2021 awardee Laura Jean McKay joins this year's winner Ned Beauman in conversation with fan favourite Lauren Beukes, for what promises to be an evening of frank, funny and insightful writerly musings.

https://www.waterstones.com/events/laura-jean-mckay-and-ned-beauman-in-conversation-with-lauren-beukes/london-trafalgar-square

GUNFLOWER - Laura Jean McKay in conversation with Gregory Norminton

Join us for the launch of Laura Jean McKay's GUNFLOWER - the new collection from the award-winning author of The Animals in That Country.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gunflower-laura-jean-mckay-in-conversation-with-gregory-norminton-tickets-719217106727

West Kirby Bookshop: An evening with Laura Jean McKay

We are delighted to welcome Laura Jean McKay to West Kirby to celebrate the publication of her latest book, GUNFLOWER.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-laura-jean-mckay-tickets-726845363047?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Gunflower: an evening of stories with Laura Jean McKay

https://lighthousebookshop.com/events/gunflower-an-evening-of-stories-with-laura-jean-mckay

Join Robbie Arnott in conversation with Laura Jean McKay to celebrate the release of Gunflower at Fullers Bookshop on Hobart. https://www.fullersbookshop.com.au/event/gunflower-laura-jean-mckay-in-conversation-with-robbie-arnott/

Join us for the Melbourne launch of GUNFLOWER by Laura Jean McKay, in conversation with Romy Ash! Readings will be there too!

At The Crystal Palace Courtyard, North Carlton

Bookings through Scribe josh@scribepub.com.au

Join us with Laura Jean McKay to celebrate the release of Gunflower. Laura will be joined by James Bradley.

https://www.betterreadevents.com/events/gunflower-laura-jean-mckay-in-conversation-with-james-bradley

FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER 2023 | INSTORE EVENT

6.00pm for a 6.30pm start | 60mins

Join us for an in-conversation with Mirandi Riwoe to launch Laura Jean McKay's new book Gunflower

https://www.avidreader.com.au/pages/7898-LauraJeanMcKay-Gunflower