Join us for an enlivening discussion with two of Australia’s prize winning writers, Mark Brandi and Sofie Laguna. This in-conversation event will explore both author’s recent works and what drives them to write. Moderated by radio producer and presenter Elizabeth McCarthy, who currently produces the Breakfast show at Australia’s biggest independent broadcaster, 3RRRFM.

Sofie Laguna originally studied to be a lawyer, but after deciding law was not for her, she trained as an actor. Sofie is now an author, actor and playwright. Her books for young people have been named Honour Books and Notable Books in the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards and have been shortlisted in the Queensland Premier's Awards. She has been published in the US and the UK and in translation in Europe and Asia. Sofie's first novel for adults, One Foot Wrong, was also published throughout Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Mark Brandi has been published, broadcast and shortlisted in journals and competitions both locally and overseas. Originally from Marche, growing up Italian in a rural Victorian town influences much of his work. Mark graduated from a criminal justice degree and his career includes roles as a policy advisor and project officer in the Department of Justice, before changing direction and deciding to write. Mark's writing has appeared in THE GUARDIAN, THE AGE, the BIG ISSUE, and is often broadcast on Radio National. He is the winner of the 2016 UK Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger for his first novel, WIMMERA, which he developed during two residential fellowships at Varuna.

Elizabeth McCarthy is a Melbourne-based radio producer and presenter who currently produces the Breakfast show at Australia’s biggest independent broadcaster, 3RRRFM. Her book reviews can be heard on Breakfasters. From 2013–2017, she anchored Triple R’s flagship books and writing show, Multi-Storied.

Elizabeth has produced and presented interviews and documentaries for ABC Radio Melbourne, ABC RN and ABC TV. She has written about books and music for several publications, and from 2002 – 2006 was the drummer and co-lyricist for Melbourne swamp-rock grrrl band, The Muddy Spurs.