Published on Wednesday, 3 May 2023 at 12:27:00 PM

Get behind the Old Fremantle Prison walls for a conversation with verse novelists, Steven Herrick and Sally Murphy on Thursday 15 June.

Join us at 6pm on Thursday 15 June Behind The Walls of the Old Fremantle Prison Hospital for a conversation with Steven Herrick and Sally Murphy, two of Australia’s most popular verse novelists for young people as they explore the novel-length narrative told through the medium of poetry.

Enjoy a glass of wine and some antipasto on the verandah before Steven and Sally discuss their writing processes; how they combine narrative and poetry; the history of the verse novel here and overseas; and why they believe the verse novel is both relevant and accessible for young readers. 

Steven Herrick is the author of twenty-seven books for children and young adults. His books have twice won the NSW Premier’s Literary Award; the WA Premier’s Literary Award; and been shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Award on ten occasions. In 2019, his verse-novel for young adults, By the River won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis. He’s also written eleven cycle-travel ebooks, that are his literary excuse for spending more time on a bicycle than in his study.

Sally Murphy doesn’t remember a time before poetry: it was shared with her from the time she was born. She grew up loving playing with words and now she writes poetry, verse novels and prose fiction for young readers – trying to make the world a brighter place one poem at a time. Sally has had thirty books published, including verse novels Pearl Verses the World (2009) and Toppling (2010), picture books, junior novels and educational titles. In 2022 Sally was awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for her contributions to children’s literature and education. When she isn’t writing, Sally is a university academic, avid reader, swimmer and beach-walker.

Tickets

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased via Eventbrite. Attendees receive a glass of wine on arrival and can enjoy antipasto platters on the hospital verandah before the talk. Titles from both Steve and Sally will be available to purchase on the night.

Time and Date

Thursday 15 June, Gates open at 5.30PM for a 6.00PM start.

Location

The Literature Centre, corner of Knutsford Street and Hampton Road, Fremantle.

Parking

Head to the gravel car park at the top of Knutsford Street and go through the gate, parking is free on the lawn.

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