‘Love to Read Local Week 2022’, the state’s biggest celebration of reading and writing, has officially begun, with a record number of meet-the-author events scheduled right across the state.

More than 25 WA authors will appear in venues right across the state, taking up an opportunity provided by Writing WA and the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Other events within the jam-packed Week include the new ‘Studio Crawl’ – a series of small-group tours into the secret studios of some of WA’s most celebrated children’s book illustrators – and a special Flash Fiction event.

Writing WA CEO Sharon Flindell said the take-up of this year’s ‘Love to Read Local Week’ program was both reflective of a strong writing sector and the state’s desire to steadily shake off the mood of the pandemic.

“It’s just fantastic that so many in-person author events can take place right across the state,” Ms Flindell said.

“We’ve had a record number of requests for authors from libraries, book clubs, book shops and other organisations – even a Girl Guides group – and it’s fantastic that we can create those opportunities within ‘Love to Read Local Week’.

“Something special happens when readers get to connect with writers and bringing the two together is one of our ongoing missions here at Writing WA.”

Writing sector in great shape

The WA writing sector is creatively thriving at present, with fantastic new book titles being released each week and a deep well of talented authors vying for top awards such as the WA Premier’s Book Awards.

The current bestselling author in Australia is WA-based writer Dervla McTiernan with her new book The Murder Rule.

“After a very challenging few years, there’s a genuine sense of excitement and momentum in the sector and we want to see that continue for both established and emerging writers,” Ms Flindell said.