Stories from the West
About this Event
Hear from some of the state’s most exciting voices as they explore identity, history, world-building and comedy. Each event offers fresh insight into how stories are shaped, moulded and brought to life. In between sessions, enjoy a drink at the bar and have your book signed at the Boundless Books pop-up bookshop. Cheer on illustrators and authors as they battle it out in Pictionary duels.
Whether you're a reader, writer, fan or simply curious about the stories being crafted across WA, join us at the State Library. Come for the whole day or choose your favourite event.
Panels and events.
- Unlabelled and Unleashed: Stories bigger (or smaller) than the box
- Bloodlines and Storylines: Writing what we carry
- Dice, Drama and Dragons: World building on the fly, a live D&D experience
- Place Steals the Scene Locations with main character energy
- Stand Up to Sit Down: Comedy as craft
- Picture This! Imagination on the clock
Read more about each session below.
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Unlabelled and Unleashed: Stories bigger (or smaller) than the box
Info: Join Mabel Gibson, Kaya Ortiz, Holden Sheppard and Andrea Thompson as they explore moving beyond labels and identity-based expectations, how to resist being boxed in, and navigating the tension between representation and storytelling. Moderated by Geoff Hutchison.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Bloodlines and Storylines: Writing what we carry
Info: David Blacker, David Price, Shey Marque, Lizzie Marrkilyi Giles Ellis and Jan Turner come together to discuss balancing truth and historical accuracy, dealing with cultural narratives and telling untold stories. Moderated by Lisa Collyer.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Dice, Drama and Dragons: World building on the fly, a live D&D experience
Info: Dive into an hour of unpredictable magic as Kitty Black, Bianca Breen and H.M. Waugh build worlds on the fly, crafting characters as wild as their imaginations in a live D&D showdown. With Dungeon Master Stephen B Platt.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM
Picture This! Imagination on the clock
Info: Unticketed pop-in event.
A Pictionary-inspired live event where Gavin Aung Than, Cristy Burne and Shirley Marr face off in a series of timed illustration challenges. Expect giggles, gasps and plenty of creative chaos as the crowd tries to decode each drawing before the buzzer.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM
Place Steals the Scene: Locations with main character energy
Info: From wild coasts to urban grit, discover how a setting can become a force of its own as Rosanne Dingli, Sara Foster, Elizabeth Green, Tasma Walton and David Whish-Wilson dissect the art of making readers feel a place. Moderated by Julia Lawrinson.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Stand Up to Sit Down: Comedy as craft
Info: From Andrew HC McDonald’s precision‑engineered punchlines to Patrick Marlborough’s beautifully feral narrative chaos, this session dives into how comedians turn timing, rhythm and questionable life choices into writing gold. Bravely moderated by Kate Emery.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 20.00 to AUD 60.00
