World writers invited to city by LJMU
Liverpool people who are passionate about writing and film are joining LJMU academics to enjoy some of the world’s best writers.
Partnerships between LJMU’s Research Institute for Literature and Cultural History (RILCH) and local cultural organisations has brought hundreds of people out to see luminaries like Anne Cleeves and Sir Michael Palin.
Now two of Australia’s top literary figures are visiting the city in a link up with Smithdown Litfest and Stella Prize Australia.
Emily Maguire and Kate Mildenhall, two of the 168 Stella listed authors discuss Australian stories and how important it is to win a literature prize at Liverpool’s iconic Athenaeum Library Reading Room on Friday, June 12.
Love Objects
Kate (pictured) is the author of four novels including The Hummingbird Effect which was longlisted for the 2024 Stella Prize and shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA literary Fiction Book of the Year. Emily has authored seven novels, including An Isolated Incident, shortlisted for the Stella Prize and the Miles Franklin Literary Award in 2017, and Love Objects.
The visit is part of RILCH’s ongoing commitment to both research and its communities.
Institute Director, Dr Kate Walchester believes that it is through research and community engagements such as these that the university is able to share its research projects with the local community, enhancing the understanding of common cultural themes while supporting cultural diversity.
Kate said: “‘Working with people like Ian Skillicorn at Smithdown Litfest is invaluable to the ways in which we engage the Merseyside community with our work.
LJMU's own literary figures
“Through joint events such as those featuring Sir Michael Palin, we have reached hundreds of members of our local community who are passionate about writing and film.
“The Litfest also showcases the work of our academics including Joe Moran, Helen Tookey, Jude Piesse, Glenda Norquay and Emily Cuming. All our talks, seminars and community activities have been hugely popular and well attended.”
Date: Friday 12 June, 2026
Time: 6pm arrival, for 6.30pm talk. Talk is 6.30-7.30pm.
Event details: The Athenaeum, 12-18 Church Alley, Liverpool L1 3DD. Introduced by Ian Skillicorn (Smithdown Litfest) and Fiona Sweet (Stella Prize)
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