Outspoken will launch its 2025 season with the wonderful Debra Oswald.
Debra is best known for being the creator/head writer for the remarkably successful TV show Offspring. She is, however, also an award-winning novelist and playwright, a children’s author and a performer.
Her new novel, which she’ll be talking about in Maleny, is 100 Years of Betty and, as the title suggests, it is the century-long saga of a strong, witty, intelligent woman born, perhaps, a bit early for her time. It is an idiosyncratic and very personal journey through her life, experiencing just some of the remarkable cultural and historical changes we have undergone.
Geraldine Brooks says it best: ‘in One Hundred Years of Betty Debra Oswald fulfils a novelist’s highest purpose. In a marathon exercise of imaginative empathy, she creates a life in full—all its aching sorrows, all its transcendent joys—unfolding amidst the convulsions of our tumultuous century. A rich feast of a novel, a perfect balance of sweet and sour. You won’t want it to end.’
Our introducing author will be Steve MinOn, talking about his debut novel, First Name Second Name. The story begins when a man leaves a curious note by his deathbed, asking his sisters to take his body back to North Queensland. When they ignore his request, his corpse must make the journey itself, travelling at night, bringing with him tales of his Chinese and Scottish ancestors. First Name Second Name won a Qld Premiers Literary Award in 2023.
Both Debra and Steve will be in conversation with Steven Lang at Maleny Community Centre on Tuesday 11 March at 6.30pm.
Tickets, $27.50 and $18 for students.
Visit outspokenmaleny.com
