Black Dog Books Melbourne Writers Festival Events

The official program for the Melbourne Writers Festival was announced last night, and Black Dog Books is thrilled to confirm three authors from their talented stable will take part in the line-up of children's events this year. Trans author Nevo Zisin will be participating in two panel events; author of the internationally acclaimed Dragonkeeper series, Carole Wilkinson, will speak about her fascination with Dragons; and Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy, the impressive author/illustrator team that created picture book, Welcome to Country, will perform an official Welcome.

Debut author Nevo Zisin, who released their biography Finding Nevo in May this year, will speak at two events about their life as a transgender activist and their journey to writing their memoir at only 21-years-of-age. Zisin's raw and honest account of their life has ignited discussion about transgender acceptance in the community and living gender neutral. Hailed as an important book by both mainstream media and the YA community, Zisin has received ongoing media attention following the launch of the book in May, including a recent appearance on ABC's Hack TV about the validity of male privilege. Zisin's perspective during the program about presenting in society as both male and female ignited much online attention and praise following the episode.

Joining Zisin as a presenter at the Festival is fellow Australian author Carole Wilkinson, whose popular Dragonkeeper series is set to become an international brand and film franchise after rights to the movie were picked up by by Dragoia Media, Movistar+, Atresmedia Cine and China Film Animation – the biggest China-Spain co-production to date. Set in ancient China during the Han Dynasty, Dragonkeeper is the story of Ping, a slave girl who saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Pursued by a ruthless dragonhunter, the girl and the dragon begin a journey across China. They carry with them a mysterious stone that must be protected.

Inspired by her own story, Wilkinson is also set to release a picture book in September called Ten Pound Pom, about thousands of British immigrants welcomed to Australia as part of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme in the 50s and 60s. 

Also part of the children's events will be author Aunty Joy Murphy and illustrator Lisa Kennedy, who teamed up to create award-winning picture book Welcome to Country. The Wurundjeri Woninjeka (welcome) ceremony is a cultural greeting by the Elders (liwiks), who give permission for yannabil (visitors) to enter onto their traditional lands. Aboriginal communities across Australia have boundaries that are defined by mountain ranges and waterways. To cross these boundaries or enter community country, you need permission from each neighbouring community. Respectfully told and stunning illustrated, the book has been embraced by many schools and organisations across the country who have requested Aunty Joy to perform a traditional welcome at their events.

Black Dog Books' MWF author schedule

Nevo Zisin

Being Me

Date: Wednesday 30 August

Level: Secondary Grades

Time: 12:30 – 1:15pm

Additional artists: Alison Evans & Adele Walsh (as chair)

Writing Your Life

Date: Thursday 31 August

Level: Secondary Grades;

Time: 12:00 – 1:15pm

Additional artists: Giselle Nguyen & Osamah Sami

Carole Wilkinson

Dragon Keeper

Carole Wilkinson has a long-standing fascination with dragons. With the conclusion of her bestselling historical fantasy saga, Dragonkeeper, learn the meaning of courage and embracing your destiny through an epic journey across ancient China.

10:00 AM

30/08/2017

ACMI Cinema 1

Aunty Joy Murphy

Welcome to Country

Date: Monday 28 August

Level: Primary Grades

Time: 11:15am – 12:00pm

Additional artist: Lisa Kennedy

Lisa Kennedy (illustrator)

Welcome to Country

Date: Monday 28 August

Level: Primary Grades

Time: 11:15am – 12:00pm

Additional artist: Aunty Joy Murphy

Picture This - People, Place, Perspective (NGV TOUR + WORKSHOP)

Date: Wednesday 30 August

Level: Lower Secondary Years

Time: 10:00 – 11:30am & 12:30 – 2:00pm