Join us for the Grand Opening of the Beijing Bookworm International Literary Festival 2008!  As an introduction to the festival, we take a peek into ‘the writing life’, hearing from two writers at the peak of their craft. Qiu Xiaolong, bestselling author of the Inspector Chen detective series, comes all the way from St Louis, Missouri to share with China audiences for the first time details of his brand new book, ‘Red Mandarin Dress’. Hear Xiaolong and locally based British novelist Adam Williams discuss their ‘writing lives’, over a glass of celebratory champagne.  

Can crime fiction hold a mirror up to society? Can it reassure us there can be order in a world gone mad? And does crime fiction set in China in particular allow us to probe societal depths other genres, or even reportage, can’t reach? Crime writers Qiu Xiaolong (Death of a Red Heroine, A Loyal Character Dancer) and Catherine Sampson (Falling Off Air, Pool of Unease) flesh out the issues, expertly moderated by author of ‘A Peking Murder’, Paul French.

The Forbidden City was at the geographical and metaphorical heart of Beijing's imperial life for centuries, and again a feature of the high socialist era under Mao. But how much do we really know about it, its history and fate? Professor of Chinese History at the Australia National University, Canberra, Geremie Barme reads from his fascinating new book, produced as part of the 'Wonders of the World' series produced by Profile books in London and Harvard University Press. This afternoon's talk is followed by a short presentation by the Beijing Cultural Heritage  Project on how you can do your part to help preserve architectural and historical wonders such as the Forbidden City.

Tonight, The Bookworm is thrilled to host the very first launch of the brand new book, Beijing Portrait of a City, a collection essays which take the city of Beijing as their muse, as compiled by Alexandra Pearson and Lucy Cavender. Featuring writing from China luminaries such as Peter Hessler, Ma Jian, Tim Clissold, and Zhu Wen, Portrait is a fascinating overview of Beijing as it is, now, today, in 2008. The launch, hosted by Alex Pearson and Lucy Cavender, will include readings from contributing authors.

Writers are often more unruly characters than their day jobs suggest them to be!! Join us for a chaotic, riotous evening of performance, song and spoken word, under the expert guidance of the inimitable Nury Vittachi. And if you’re feeling theatrical, why not join in?

Where did the idea for Star Wars come from? Could you write the next Harry Potter? Author Nury Vittachi tells tales, reveals some secrets, and shows you how to write a perfect story!

Please note this event will be held at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn

Ages 7 – 14

The drama and tension surrounding moral choice is the lifeblood of fiction.  Come and hear two big literary thinkers debate the issues – are authors responsible for the moral choices of their characters? What happens to the reader when characters make reprehensible moral choices? Should the moral universe of a work of fiction represent the world view of the author? A huge literary theme to get your teeth into, first thing on a Sunday morning! Moderated by Edward Ragg.

Nicholas Jose is brought to you by Australian Writers' Week

Justin Hill has shaped his writing career around the fascinating locales in which he has lived, be it pre-civil war Eritrea, or deepest darkest Fuling as a VSO volunteer. Shortlisted for the Thomas Cook Travel Award, and nominated as one of the Best Young British Novelists of 2003, come and hear what makes Justin Hill tick as a writer, where he finds his inspiration and why his seminal novel The Drink and Dream Tea House initially got him into such hot water… Interviewed by Jo Lusby.

Where does the line lie between fact and fiction? Do writers have a responsibility to represent history accurately, and when is the imagination allowed to intervene? Lily Brett and Anna Funder discuss the issues, with probing questions from Nury Vittachi.

Lily Brett and Anna Funder are brought to you by Australian Writers' Week

A rare opportunity to see South of The Clouds, winner of the NETPAC prize at the Berlin Film Festival 2004. With an introduction and Q&A with the director, Zhu Wen.

 Twice winner of Australia’s most prestigious prize for fiction, the Miles Franklin, Christopher Koch discusses his new book The Memory Room with Australian Ambassador Geoff Raby. Author of The Year of Living Dangerously, a tale of love, obsession and betrayal, Christopher’s new novel explores secrecy, espionage and ambition, set against a backdrop of 1980s China.

This event is brought to you by Australian Writers' Week

Patrick Gale is the author of fourteen novels, including his highly acclaimed latest work, Notes From an Exhibition. Tonight, Bookworm audiences are presented with a rare opportunity to hear from this hugely talented writer, celebrated for his riveting, and profoundly affecting stories of family relationships surviving under adversity and societal pressure. Patrick's latest novel Notes, has recently been selected for the Richard and Judy Bookclub in the UK; their recommendations have gone on in numerous occasions to make household names of the authors selected. See Patrick Gale now before he's carried off in a wave of celebrity!

Tonight the discussion with Patrick is nominated by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of Wild Grass: China's Revolution From Below, Ian Johnson.

Join Nury Vittachi for an intimate evening of great food and fabulous conversation.

Tickets limited to 20, and include dinner and wine.

Please note this event will not be held at The Bookworm, but at Cafe Europa

Patrick Gale (Friendly Fire, Notes From an Exhibition) joins Lijia Zhang (Socialism is Great!) for a lively discussion on the opportunities and challenges created by that most mercurial of our story telling resources – our memories.

From John Steinbeck’s depression era dustbowls, to the sultry harems of the Arabian Nights, a sense of place in any kind of writing, be it fiction, memoir, travelogue or poetry, envelops the reader in the physical and emotional world their characters inhabit. Rob Gifford and Justin Hill share and debate their ideas on how to create setting – and atmosphere - in their work.

Journalism can be a risky business in any locale but what are the specific challenges presented by working in China? Don’t miss the chance to hear three veterans of the craft – Rob Gifford, (NPR), James Kynge (FT, Pearson Group) and Jonathon Watts (The Guardian), discuss the ethical considerations a journalist faces, debate the challenges and share their adventures with Melinda Liu (Newsweek). 

We all love a good story, but how powerful can literature be? Gail Jones and Hari Kunzru discuss politics, globalisation, disenfranchisement and identity in their writing, and the place for writers getting political. With Nikki Anderson as moderator.

Gail Jones is brought to you by Australian Writers' Week

Where do ideas come from? And how do writers turn them into award winning poetry and fiction? Scottish and Chinese-Australian writers Liz Niven and Ouyang Yu reflect on where the roots of their work lie, and discuss how to create full blown fires from the sparks of creativity. Moderated by Su Xiaowei.

Ouyang Yu is brought to you by Australian Writers' Week

Howard Goldblatt needs little introduction, having taught, studied and translated the best of contemporary Chinese literature for more than a quarter of a century. Come and relish this rare opportunity to hear from a master translator and expert in his field, who has translated such luminaries as Mo Yan, Su Tong, Wang Shuo, and Chu Tien-Wen. Not to be missed! Moderated by Eric Abrahamsen.

Already creating a buzz across Asia and beyond by winning the very first Man Asia Literary Prize before it was even in print, Wolf Totem has all the hallmarks of becoming a popular classic! Celebrate its launch over a glass of champagne tonight with translator Howard Goldblatt, Jo Lusby from Penguin China, and a host of other bookish celebs.

John Man has given the fascinating characters of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan and Attila the Hun new life in the popular imagination via his bestselling biographies, following up in recent years with accounts of both the Terracotta Army, and of course The Great Wall. A must for Mongolia enthusiasts, don’t miss him tonight in conversation with fellow Mongol expert, James Kynge.

Criss crossing Beijing's bustling streets every day, carrying passengers to every corner of the city are the stars of the public transport world - the public buses! A Thomas the Tank engine for Beijing, Xu Zhao Hui's bilingual 'Bus Adventures' stories reveal a magical element to the city around us. Come and share in a story hour with Hui, in both Chinese and English.

Suitable for ages three and up.

What makes good travel writing? What are editors publishing? This 3-hour workshop looks at magazine articles in-depth with principles for longer narrative pieces. Including sample articles and exercises, this workshop aims to get you publishing more travel writing pieces.  

Course includes:

- Story ideas & travel trends

- Research techniques

- Elements of good writing

- Pitching to publish

Please note that this workshop will take place at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn

Poet? Lyricist? Songwriter? Come and hear tips of the trade from poet Liz Niven on how to get started with poetry and songwriting, and if you’re already writing, on how to make your work even better!

Ages 12 and up

Please note that this workshop will take place at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn

Liz Niven has 20 years experience teaching poetry and creative writing at every level, and in venues ranging from Latvian chateux, to air traffic control towers in the Scottish highlands. Tips, discussion and exercises on how to use your already rich life experiences as the basis for poetry and, for more experienced writers, on how to improve your craft. Work can be submitted for consideration in advance.

Please note that this workshop will take place at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn

Brian Keenan was taken hostage in Beirut in 1986, spending the next four and a half years blindfolded in a windowless cell in Lebanon. His release, and the subsequent publication of An Evil Cradling made him a household name in the UK and Ireland. His later work has proved his literary talent to extend far beyond the recounting of his years in confinement. Don't miss this amazing chance to hear his story, and the way his experiences have shaped him as a writer.

Back by popular demand, we’re delighted to offer audiences the opportunity to experience Nick Bonner’s seminal film, documenting one gymnast’s preparations for the biggest, most bizarre collective experience on earth – North Korea’s annual Mass Games. Hear from Nick himself on the making of the film, and ask him anything you choose to on the mysteries of the hermit kingdom. 

Hugely successful writers Tim Clissold (Mr China) and Jim McGregor (One Billion Customers) share the often hilarious stories behind their best selling China business titles, as moderated by Sheila Melvin, of the US China Business Council and author of The Little Red Book of China Business.

Its testament to Yiyun Li’s extraordinary first collection of short stories, One Thousand Years of Good Prayers that when she ran up against visa issues in the United States, amongst her chief supporters were Salman Rushdie and Susan Sontag. Need we say more? Tonight Yiyun Li reads from her multiple-award winning collection, and shares her insights on ‘the writing life’.

An utterly eclectic line up, tonight presents a fabulous opportunity to hear from writers working across the poetry spectrum, from Liz Niven’s haunting use of Scots language and linguistic form, to the fascinating links Edward Ragg uncovers between poetry and wine, to Rastafarian Miles Merrill’s downright arresting slam performance poetry.

Have we saved the best for last? Come and drink a toast to the closing event of two weeks of superlative literary activity, in the very best of company. Writers Yiyun Li and Zhu Wen discuss the rise and rise of fiction from China and the Chinese diaspora.