Sean Williams

Well, Adelaide's newest writers' festival, WORD, has come and gone. It was a riotous event*, despite the best efforts of the weather, and a successful one, I think. Thanks to the participation of some truly stellar guests--including Anna Funder, Shaun Tan and Richard Flanagan--and helped in no small part by a large supporting cast of actors, comedians, techies and volunteers, the last three nights have covered everything from serious discussions of politics and death right through to the popular Read Dating and Prose Jam improv events in the Cane Corner-inspired bar. I really enjoyed it.

That last sentence needs some elaboration. Normally I find writers' festivals a bit dry. I yawn through panels--often purely because they're scheduled in the afternoon, when I'm always sleepy, but sometimes because of the content--and I begin to dread yet another round of speechifying, no matter who's on the bill. The demographic spread of the crowd is often limited, demonstrating that the event is appealing to only a narrow section of the community, to which I sometimes do not belong.

Science fiction conventions, on the other hand, enjoy a much blurrier line between panel and audience, an informal approach to author presentations, and a clear emphasis on entertainment, mingling at the bar, and late nights. For me, therefore, they have an unending appeal.

On the second night of WORD, it occurred to me that I had attended most of the programmed events and was actually looking forward to those that remained. And I realised that WORD had managed to combine the best elements of both sorts of event. It was a deeply literary festival, but it was also fun.

I'm honoured to have been part of it.**

No doubt those of us on the advisory committee will be debriefing over the next few weeks, in preparation for a repeat performance next year. There will be some bugs to iron out and many new ideas to pursue. I'm hopeful that 2008's WORD will be an even bigger and better experience than this year's. And I hope that many people who, like me, yearn for a literary experience that's a little out of the ordinary, will come along to see what all the fuss was about.

*For me, WORD ended very late last night in a tiny karaoke bar on Hindley Street. Thanks to a particularly enthusiastic rendition of "Doctor Doctor", I may never sing again. (The world cheers.)

**Heartfelt thanks to everyone who came to my sessions and the "Strange Bedfellows" masterclass I took yesterday. Thanks to Fiona McIntosh for being such a fun co-presenter. And thanks to Sandy Verschoor and Christie Anthoney for inviting me along for the ride. It's been wild!

I've been quiet lately, for which I apologise. (Writing 100,000 words in four weeks doesn't leave time for much else, although somehow I did manage to buy a house in there too. More on that later.) I just thought I'd quickly point out a couple of official appearances I'll be making in the coming months.

WORD: 21-23 March
This is the inaugural writers' festival for the Adelaide Fringe. Other guests include Anna Funder, Richard Flanagan, Shaun Tan, Fiona McIntosh and D M Cornish. I'm in the spotlight for a "Meet the Author" on the 21st, an industry panel with Fiona McIntosh on the 22nd, and a masterclass on the 23rd. If you're in town for WOMADelaide, the film festival or the rest of the Fringe, come along! WORD is going to be a hoot, with highlights such as "Read Dating", poetry and prose slams, performances by actors of authors' work, and other fun events to look forward to.

Sydney Writers Festival: 28 May - June3
The program will be announced April 14. I'll post the details here when they are official.

Also, the Australian Society of Authors is running elections for its Board of Management. I've put my name forward, so if you're a member of the ASA and are thinking of voting...well, you have been warned. :-)

* The subject line, btw, is a tip of my hat to the spoken intro to Frank Zappa's live performance of "Cheepnis", in which he talks about B-grade monsters emerging from their lairs to do battle with a movie's wide-collared protagonist (the inspiration for my current userpic.) This is a bit how I feel at the moment. I can be a bit of a cave-dweller at times, especially when I'm working to a tight deadline. Hopefully life can now get back to normal...