What happens when we free ourselves from the sterile language of ‘mental illness and health’ to explore writers’ relationships with their minds? Personify your diagnosis. Rename your neurosis. Reclaim each and every contradictory feeling about your inner workings: ups, downs, digressions and all.

A night of storytelling dedicated to defining our own experiences, and recognising mental illness as both obstacle and inspiration. With Joel Burrows, Robin M Eames, Heidi Everett, Madison Griffiths, Gemma Mahadeo and Andrea Mendez
Hosted by Leah Avene

Prepare to warp the space-time continuum with these fictionalised speeches from pivotal moments in history, both real and imagined. To keep us from tearing our hair out as we live through a time we couldn’t make up, six comics take the stage to deliver satirical sermons, raw rants and lewd lectures so fake they’re almost believable.

With Lauren Bok, Hella Ibrahim, Jayden Masciulli, Anna Piper Scott, Andy Connor andSammaneh ‘Shampoo’ Poursh
Hosted by Scott Limbrick and Elyce Phillips

A night of unrestrained and unashamed comedy. Prepare to witness this talented slew of sharp-witted and silver-tongued comedy babes doing what they do best.

With Roshelle Fong, Jess Knight, Iris Lee, Hannah Samuel, Claire Sullivan, Margot Tranjutco and Emily White

Hosted by Vidya Rajan

An elegy to the spectrum of beautiful, weird and erotic wonders of the natural world. Writers explore the idea of moving beyond sustainability and towards regeneration – with intimate performances on the species we’ll miss if we don’t change our ways.

With Nic Alea, Zowie Douglas-Kinghorn, Em König, Chantelle Mitchell, Alice Robinson, Ella Rowe and Ishack Sonlay
Hosted by Jane Rawson

What better way to keep spirits high in the depths of winter than good company – and great writing! Get cozy with The Lifted Brow for this late night showcase of words and work to warm the heart and soul, curated by Bridget Caldwell, Manisha Anjali and Paula Abul.

Presented in partnership with The Lifted Brow

In the spirit of DIY we’re transforming theatre into marketplace for this crafternoon. Peruse quality zines and self-published work by some of Melbourne’s finest makers.

The sun is setting on the Emerging Writers’ Festival 2019. Celebrate the twilight hour with us in a wild and immersive evening of literature, performance and dance set amidst shimmering visions of speculative futures.

Featuring live art, installation and a suite of surprises, followed by a dynamite dancefloor curated by the masterminds behind Precog, Kōtare (fka DJ Sezzo) and Matka.

We hope to see you dressed to impress and sparkling in gold as we go down swinging after another year!

Readings by  Manisha Anjali, Eugen Bacon, Shel Calopa, SJ Finch
Hosted by Emily Munro-Harrison

Beats by Precog: Kōtare (fka DJ Sezzo) & Matka

Luka Lesson has spent the last 13 years facilitating workshops for poets of all levels of experience in many countries across the planet. This particular process will focus on a pivotal moment in the participants’ life as the central point of a new poem – as well as performance techniques and individual feedback. Luka brings this workshop from his annual Rhodes Poetry Retreat program to the Melbourne Spoken Word Festival, and it is his only public workshop in Melbourne for 2019.

Luka Lesson brings his unique style of Slam Poetry meets conscious acoustic rap to Melbourne for the release of ‘Welcome to Paradox’. Accompanied by Meena Shamaly on various instruments and programmed beats, as well as other special guests, this is a night of lyricism, politics, love, passion and vulnerability.