QLF readies for another powerhouse program

"Book club queen" Hannah Kent will be guest of honour at this year's Queenscliffe Literary Festival program launch on September 11, where she will appear in conversation with award-winning playwright Hannie Rayson. Photo: HANNAH KENT

THE Queenscliffe Literary Festival will unveil its hotly anticipated 2025 program next month, promising a fresh chapter of big-name authors, thought-provoking conversations, and page-turning inspiration.

Tickets will on sale yesterday (Friday, August 8) for the festival’s official program launch event, set to take place at the Queenscliff Town Hall on September 11, offering avid book lovers a first look at the heavy-hitting talent preparing to make their way down the coast in October.

Last year, QLF celebrated its 10th anniversary with a jaw-dropping line-up of Australian literary royalty – including “national living treasure” Tim Winton and Waanyi writer Alexis Wright; lede legends such as The Saturday Paper’s Rick Morton and investigative reporter Louise Milligan; and creative all-rounders such as Judith Lucy and Kaz Cooke.

Truly the “literary festival that could”, this year’s program is expected to again reaffirm QLF respected reputation within the literary world.

Multi-award-winning Adelaide author and “book club queen” Hannah Kent will help launch the 2025 program as the event’s guest of honour, joining renowned Australian playwright Hannie Rayson to discuss her craft and career.

“Hannah Kent is one of Australia’s most riveting contemporary writers,” QLF program director Elizabeth McCarthy said.

“Each new book has become essential to the reading lists of book lovers worldwide and made Hannah into a book club queen.

“I’ve watched with delight as her career has accelerated globally and I’m over the moon that she will be joining us for our program launch, where she’ll be in conversation with the equally might and indefatigable Hannie Rayson.”

Kent’s debut novel Burial Rites – an exploration of personal freedom based on the true story of the last woman to be executed in Iceland – is a major international success, with a film adaption starring Jennifer Lawrence in the works.

This year’s QLF will be held between October 17 and October 26. Tickets will go on sale following next month’s program launch.

For more information, or to purchase your tickets to the September 11 event, head to tinyurl.com/HannahKent