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Place as Character: The Art of Evoking Setting

Anne Freeman

Event Date: 8 August 2026 04:00 PM to 8 August 2026 05:00 PM
Author / Presenters: Brooke Crawford, Jenna Lo Bianco, Christine Newell and Anne Freeman
Event Venue: Readings Hawthorn
Event Organiser: Readings
Ticket Price: Free

The most memorable books don't simply tell a story, they transport us. 

Brooke Crawford captures the festive streets of London, Jenna Lo Bianco immerses readers in the culinary delights of Italy, Christine Newell brings the vibrant city of Seoul to life, while Anne Freeman revisits Melbourne's post-millennium underground rave scene. In each case, place becomes far more than a backdrop, it becomes an essential part of the story. 

Together, these authors will explore how atmosphere, culture, memory and landscape shape the stories we tell, and how place influences character, conflict and emotion. They'll share the research, observations and lived experiences that help transform a setting from a location on a map into something readers can see, hear, smell and feel. Discover how writers capture a place's spirit, why certain settings linger long after we've turned the final page, and the powerful role setting plays in creating immersive and unforgettable stories. 

Free, but bookings are essential.

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