An incredibly talented pool of writers, artists, thinkers and innovators are inviting Brisbane’s curious minds to engage in a conversation of stories and ideas at the celebrated Brisbane Writers Festival next Wednesday September 3 to Sunday September 7. In a massive coup for the festival, best-selling American author, publisher and philanthropist Dave Eggers will deliver the opening address on Thursday September 4, before he guest stars in the Literary Vaudeville Show alongside some of the finest literary raconteurs on Friday September 5. Also on the Friday, former Australian PM Malcolm Fraser and This House of Grief author Helen Garner will tackle tough subjects inside Brisbane City Hall.

Saturday will see the Inspire series covering adventure, food and resilience, while the Good Thinking Lectures invite Tara Moss, Bob Brown and David Marr to unleash their opinions. That evening, join a 1980s-style election-night party with host Rebecca Levingston and a line-up of brilliant speakers as they explore Brisbane’s responses to 20 questions about who we are and what we think. Recover on the Sunday alongside Good Game hosts Bajo and Hex as they explore narrative and video games in Well Played. BWF in the ’burbs will see a bunch of free author events popping up at community libraries around Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan, while the free two-day conference Story+ invites international speakers to explore the future of storytelling via panels, debates, talks and hands-on events at QUT’s Gardens Theatre. When you’re all worded-out, retire to the Festival Club on the State Library of Queensland’s Maiwar Green for food stalls, drinks and free festival sessions. If the kids are biting at your heels, swing by the free Treehouse play space at Alphabet Zoo or get them involved in the child-focused Word Play program for students in grades 4 to ten.

Explore the full festival program and the line-up of speakers online, before snapping up your tickets.