Five celebrated Australian writers will headline the National Writers’ Conference on June 23-24 as part of the 2018 Emerging Writers’ Festival.

The ambassadors are: Melissa Lucashenko (Mullumbimby, Steam Pigs, Killing Darcy, forthcoming Too Much Lip); Isobelle Carmody (The Red Queen, Obernewtyn Chronicles, The Ice Maze); Ellen Van Neerven (Heat and Light, Comfort Food,); Michael Mohammed Ahmad (The Lebs, The Tribe); and Stuart Grant (Monash University Lecturer for Theatre and Performance).

This year’s festival ambassadors are known for their experimental works, transcending boundaries of form and defying easy categorisation.

“Our ambassadors are captivating storytellers, noted for challenging dominant narratives, bringing light to untold stories and forging new pathways for the next generation of Australian voices. We’re delighted to have them part of this year’s festival.” says Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) Artistic Director Izzy Roberts-Orr.

The five ambassadors will join over 70 other artists across two days of panels, discussions, workshops and networking at the largest gathering of emerging writers in Australia. Each ambassador will spend an hour answering questions and offering advice in EWF’s unique Ask Me Anything sessions.

The conference has expanded further this year with additional professional development opportunities, a focus on industry insight and more networking space for writers.

The full program will be launched at the Wheeler Centre and online on Tuesday 15 May, 2018.

The National Writers’ Conference is held at the State Library of Victoria from Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June.

Early-bird tickets are on sale now.

The EWF Ambassadors program is proudly supported by our Principal Education Partner, Monash University.