2022 Canberra Writers Festival

ANU is proud to be a foundation partner and contributor to the annual Canberra Writers Festival.

Since its inception in 2016, the Canberra Writers Festival has brought together the best local and international talent. Now in its seventh year, join us as we aim to scrutinise today's most pressing issues, reflect on the past, contemplate the future, and expand our understanding of it all - under our recurring theme of Power, Passion, Politics.

Some of this year's highlights include

Freezing Order: Surviving Putin's Wrath. Live via Zoom, New York Times bestselling author Bill Browder, in conversation with David Speers, recounts the explosive tale of how Browder became the Russian President's number one enemy.

So Sue Me!: Journalists Karen Middleton, Louise Milligan, Ginger Gorman, Michael West, and barrister Richard Potter SC debate Australia's draconian defamation laws and explore their chilling effects on freedom of expression and investigative journalism.

How to End a Story: Helen Garner (live via Zoom) in a no-holds-barred conversation with Rosemarie Milsom on keeping diaries, finding joy, and the overuse of adverbs.

The Power Within: Three of Australia's most well-respected and passionate cultural educators - Mehreen Faruqi, Jackie Huggins, and Fiona Foley - share their stories of self-acceptance, self-empowerment, and self-knowledge.

Was it Something I Said?: Award-winning author Lionel Shriver (live via Zoom) in conversation with Chris Flynn, delivers everything you've ever wanted to know about Lionel.

Comrade - It's Time Again: On the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Government's election, Paul Bongiorno, Christine Sykes, Jenny Hocking, John Faulkner, and Paul Kelly talk all things Gough and reflect on our country's identity and what we really need from our leaders.

My Friend Anna: The True Story of Anna Delvey, the Fake Heiress of New York: New York Times bestselling author Rachel Deloache Williams joins Genevieve Gannon (live via Zoom) to tell the incredible story of Anna Sorokin, the grifter who became the subject of this year's most-watched Netflix series.

The Luminous Charlotte Wood: One of Australia's most successful and original award-winning novelists, Charlotte Wood, in a liberating conversation with Beejay Silcox.

Crimes Against Nature: Our expert panel - Jeff Sparrow, Jonica Newby, and David Lindenmayer - discuss humanity's crimes against nature and how we can shore up courage for the environmental uncertainties ahead.

After the Tampa: Abbas Nazari in conversation with Aarti Betigeri. Escaping the Taliban as a young child, adrift for weeks at sea, bestselling author and Fulbright scholar Abbas Nazari shares his incredible life story.

Death to Jar Sauce: A sweary, scrumptious and uproarious lunch with infamous YouTube sensation and cookbook author Nat's What I Reckon.