Sydney Writers' Festival

Once Were Lawyers

Code: 90  |  Type: Conversation   |  Genres: Fiction

Friday, May 20   10:00 AM - 11:00 AM   Free, no bookings

Sydney Philharmonia Choir Studio, Pier 4/5, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

Shamini Flint, Sulari Gentill, Margaret Barbalet (facilitator)

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Shamini Flint and Sulari Gentill both threw off the law for the uncertain, not-so-lucrative but so much more enjoyable life of writing about crime, among other subjects. They say they revel in their new vocations. But can you really take the lawyer out of the writer? They talk to Margaret Barbalet.

Shamini Flint (International) Shamini Flint was a corporate lawyer before resigning to be a stay-at-home mum, writer, part-time lecturer and environmental activist. She is the author of the Inspector Singh Investigates series of crime novels. Shamini also writes children’s books with cultural and environmental themes including ‘The Seeds of Time’, an environmental fantasy, and ‘Ten’, a tale of growing up and football. Her latest children’s book is ‘Diary of a Soccer Star’. Also appearing at... Criminal Agency It’s a Small World After All: Writing for Children with Shamini Flint Singapore Sling Cities of the Dead Cross-Cultural Storytelling The New School     Sulari Gentill (Australian) Sulari Gentill set out to study astrophysics, ended up graduating in law and later abandoned her legal career to write books instead of contracts. ‘Chasing Odysseus’ is Sulari’s first young-adult novel, coming hot on the heels of her acclaimed debut adult historical crime novel, ‘A Few Right Thinking Men’, which was ‘The Age’s Pick of the Week and received many other glowing reviews. It will be followed by the sequel, ‘A Decline in Prophets’. Also appearing at... Secret Sydney Stories     Margaret Barbalet (Australian) Margaret Barbalet has published children's books, history, poetry, short stories and four novels, the most recent being ‘The Presence of Angels’. A new novel is with her London agent. A former diplomat posted to Abu Dhabi from 2005 to 2008, she is completing a memoir about working in the Middle East. She lives in Sydney.  margaretbarbalet.com Also appearing at... But What I Really Want To Do is Write Fiction

Secret Sydney Stories

Code: 57  |  Type: Conversation   |  Genres: Fiction

Thursday, May 19   2:30 PM - 3:30 PM   Ticketed: $15/$10

Sydney Theatre, Richard Wherrett Studio, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay   Venue & Transport Info

Sulari Gentill, Elizabeth Stead, Irina Dunn (facilitator)

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THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT Elizabeth Stead’s ‘The Sparrows of Edward Street’ recreates the tough life of battlers on the outskirts of Sydney post World War II, while Sulari Gentill’s ‘A Few Right Thinking Men’ explores the privileged life of wealthy artists in Woollahra who find themselves caught up in the radical right politics of the 1930s. Moderator: Irina Dunn.

Sulari Gentill (Australian) Sulari Gentill set out to study astrophysics, ended up graduating in law and later abandoned her legal career to write books instead of contracts. ‘Chasing Odysseus’ is Sulari’s first young-adult novel, coming hot on the heels of her acclaimed debut adult historical crime novel, ‘A Few Right Thinking Men’, which was ‘The Age’s Pick of the Week and received many other glowing reviews. It will be followed by the sequel, ‘A Decline in Prophets’. Also appearing at... Once Were Lawyers     Elizabeth Stead (Australian) Elizabeth Stead grew up in Sydney and spent time in a housing commission camp in the 1940s. Her fifth novel, ‘The Sparrows of Edward Street’, is based on this experience. The niece of acclaimed 20th-century novelist Christina Stead, Elizabeth describes her family as one of creativity and eccentricity bordering on minor madness. Elizabeth has acted, modelled, danced and sung, and supports all art forms. She has written several novels and short fiction and has also written for NIDA and radio. Also appearing at... Over Here     Irina Dunn (Australian) Irina Dunn is director of the Australian Writers Network, which supports Australian writers and local publishing. Her book ‘The Writer’s Guide’ was described by ‘Australian Book Review’ as “a godsend for writers”. Irina is an experienced editor and writes opera and literary reviews for Sydney journals and newspapers. Also appearing at... The Past is a Dangerous Place Girls Just Wanna The Book of Rachael