Exploring the unique literary scene on a tiny island at the edge of the world...
While mainland Australia enjoys around 150 writer's festivals each year, in Tasmania, we're lucky if we have one, so when the first Island Reader's and Writer's Festival was announced in early 2026, with its sparkling line-up of bestselling authors, beloved local writers, university academics, Palawa writers, graphic novelists and poets, you can imagine the buzz around Nipaluna/Hobart. In this episode, all-round literary Renaissance woman and editor of Island magazine, Jane Rawson, tells Liz how she devised and curated this diverse and original festival with a delicate balancing act of small city diplomacy.
Our Cities of Lit Book Picks is from Kat of Fullers Bookshop, who recommends local writer Keely Jobe's incredible debut, The Endling, and the award-winning Piranesi by Susannah Clarke, from Nottingham in the UK.
And for this week's Topical Chat, Liz and Kate Kruimink return to the question of festivals, asking what makes a good one?
Find the complete show notes at the Remotely Lit website.
","author_name":"Liz Evans"}