If you feel a tickle of excitement when tucking into a good book or the sharp thrill of stumbling upon a new word, no doubt you’ve already popped your bookmark into the program for the Brisbane Writers Festival. A fantastic range of workshops, panel discussions, installations and readings are popping up in universities, bookshops, galleries and libraries across Brisbane until Sunday September 8.

Unmissable events include The Great Debate, which will see politicians, authors and social commentators embark on a lively discussion about whether ‘Australia needs leaders, not politicians’. A series of Inspire sessions will explore themes like mind, optimism and design, while the Well-Drawn event will rouse art lovers with a full day dedicated to comics, the graphic narrative and illustration. Little readers aren’t forgotten either, with the free Alphabet Zoo encouraging kids to get involved in activities and help create an art installation with illustrator Briony Stewart. Find the full Brisbane Writers Festival program online.