CRIME CULTURE: Investigative journalist Louise Milligan, actor-turned-crime fiction writer Bryan Brown, and star podcaster Meshel Laurie are just a few of the reasons this year’s return of the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival is expected to be make it bigger and badder than ever before.
Back live and in-person, the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival will take place across the first week of December at the State Library of NSW.
Over four days between December 2-5, nearly 40 different sessions, panels and special events featuring some of the biggest names in crime fiction, true crime and social justice will likely capture the imaginative and inquisitive gaze of many in Sydney.
Most sessions of this year’s festival will also be streamed live online via Zoom for those who can’t personally attend.
The Festival’s artistic director, Catherine du Peloux Menagé, said: “After getting through another tough year and more lockdowns, it’s wonderful get together again to talk all things crime, hear our favourite crime writers and meet new ones. We’ve had great online events all year but nothing beats meeting face to face”.
True Crime News Weekly will feature an exclusive interview with Ms du Peloux Menagé later this week speaking about how the festival has evolved and grown in such a short time.
Sessions on the first day of the festival will feature investigative journalist Louise Milligan on what it can take to seek justice and author Chris Hammer talking with festival founder, Michael Duffy, on why Sydney remains such a good setting for stories of crime and corruption.
Former NSW DPP, Nicholas Cowdery, will alongside statistician, Don Weatherburn, investigate why prisons are so full although crime rates are down. The answer may lie in politics, perhaps.
First Nations writers will give their perspectives on crime, including Melissa Lucashenko, Julie Janson, Kodie Bedford, Larissa Behrendt, Veronica Gorrie and Auntie Dianne O’Brien.
Opening night meanwhile will feature British-Australian author Jane Harper in conversation with Caroline Overington discussing her life in crime.
Friday night on the town will feature actor Bryan Brown talking to Michael Robotham about his move into crime fiction. As part of the festival, Robotham will also discuss his new book When You Are Mine.
Another session will feature Tony Birch interviewing crime great Garry Disher, who was awarded this year’s Ned Kelly Award for best fiction for his novel, Consolation.
White supremacist groups and what came after ‘the end of history’ will be the hot topics Stan Grant and Tim Ayliffe will talk about.
Crime walks will be held across four days as part of the festival, while for the first time the Champagne & Cosy Crime Afternoon Tea will take place on Saturday, December 4 and could in no quick time become a killer event.
The 2021 Danger Prize for the best book, TV series, podcast or film about Sydney crime will be awarded on the evening of Saturday, December 4.
BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival is on at the State Library of NSW from 2-5 December. You can view the full program of events at www.badsydney.com.
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