We are so excited to introduce EWF’s new Program Producer, Bianca Lucchesi! We sat down recently with Bianca to get to know her, chatting about writing, reading habits and more!

Hey Bianca, we’re so excited to have you on the EWF team for our 2025 festival, as Program Producer. Before we get into it, we’d love to know a little bit more about you – tell us about yourself!   

Thank you, I’m so happy to be here! I’m Bianca – I’m from the country but have lived in Melbourne since 2019. I really miss being surrounded by gum trees and an endless chorus of birds and cicadas, but I love the vibrancy of this city (and I’ve managed to find my harbours of peace and quiet). Writing has always been a part of my life, and I love to get lost in stories. 

So, what drew you to joining the EWF25 team? 

Aside from the obvious drawcards – deepening my knowledge of the industry and working with many incredible artists – I was compelled to join the EWF25 team because it is so welcoming, inclusive and open-minded. These qualities really matter to me in a workplace, and I feel super lucky to be a part of this team. 

And what are you hoping to get out of the role? 

I know I’m going to get a lot out of this role both professionally and creatively and am looking forward to the experiences and challenges coming my way! In particular, I am keen to strengthen my connection with my community. I want to get to know local artists, be involved in more local events and help bring to life ideas that might never have seen the light of day if it weren’t for EWF. 

Since EWF is a lit fest, we’re obliged to ask what kind of literature catches your attention? 

I’m having a bit of a nonfiction moment actually! Lots of essays, lots of memoirs and reflective writing. In general, I would say that the majority of my reads fall in the realm of literary fiction as I love moody, pensive characters and the complexities and subtleties of interpersonal relationships. That being said, mythological fantasy is what got me into reading, and I’d love to come full circle and get back into that at some point. 

What kind of stories have been cluttering your bedside table or filling up your watchlist lately? 

I recently read Hana Assafiri’s powerful memoir The Audacity to be Free and have almost finished Eda Gunaydin’s excellent collection of essays, Root and Branch. I usually have a cookbook beside my bed as well – my favourite at the moment is Midweek Recipes by Scottish food writer Jess Elliot Dennison. It’s a gorgeous, independently published book filled with simple but creative recipes. I am extremely inconsistent when it comes to watching anything but am slowly working my way through the second season of Squid Game. 

As Program Producer, Bianca will be formulating, envisioning and producing our 2025 festival, alongside the rest of the programming team. The 2025 Emerging Writers’ Festival is coming 11-18 September.

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