Readings Bookshop

For the second session in the series, Writing from Our Roots, Amie Kaufman will be joined by Tigest Girma and Maithree Wijesekara as they discuss writing fantasy inspired by their culture.

Writing from Our Roots: Although fantasy used to centre European medieval analogues, we're now seeing a shift in the market, with more demand for stories from different cultures. This has brought the most wonderful wave of fantasy inspired by the cultures of the authors writing it. This is a thoughtful discussion on the authors experiences, the joys of writing about their cultures, and the barriers they've encountered in the market.

Tigest Girma is an Ethiopian writer based in Melbourne, and splits her time between writing and teaching. Passionate about exploring East African characters and myths, her work weaves Black stories with the dark and fantastical. Her latest book is Eternal Ruin, the second book in the Immortal Dark series.

Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan writer based in Melbourne. Graduating with a Master’s degree in Dentistry, she splits her time between telling people to please brush their teeth, and writing stories inspired by the fantastical and the real world. Her latest book is The Witch Without Memory the second book in the Obsidian Throne trilogy.

Amie Kaufman is an Australian author. She has authored New York Times bestselling and internationally bestselling science fiction and fantasy for young adults. Her latest novel is One Knight Stand, the outrageously funny cosy fantasy YA sequel to medieval romp Lady's Knight.

Free, but bookings are essential.