The Emerging Writers’ Festival work, learn and play largely on the land of the Kulin nation, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

EWF celebrates the history and creativity of the world’s oldest living culture.

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National Writers' Conference & Panel

NWC – Writing Responsibly

The gift of storytelling is not only to transport the reader to other lives and worlds, but also for the writer to connect with a greater humanity – to step into the shoes of people unlike themselves. Some recommend sticking to what you know, but many of the greatest novels come from writers creating characters based on research, paired with curiosity, empathy and imagination.

Hear from an eclectic panel about the importance of writing with sensitivity, and the ethics, consultation and care that is required when constructing characters and lives very different to one’s own. 

Please note this panel will feature real-time translation, conducted by Mandarin language interpreters. 

Click here to learn more about our Mandarin language interpreters.

Chen-Lin Hsu

Chen-Lin Hsu is a Mandarin-English interpreter and translator, holding a Master of Translation and Interpreting from the University of Melbourne. Her interpreting work spans live event and conference settings, including on-stage interpreting for visiting Taiwanese directors’ post-screening Q&As at the Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival, and on-site interpreting at Taiwanese cultural events in Melbourne. Along with her interpreting practice, Chen-Lin brings this experience to the Emerging Writers’ Festival, helping English-speaking audiences fully engage with the stories, ideas, and voices of the Mandarin-speaking writers.

Yu-Jui (Ray) Yang

Yu-Jui (Ray) Yang is a recent graduate of the Master of Translation and Interpreting at the University of Melbourne. Originally from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and having previously lived in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, he is now pursuing his career as an interpreter and translator in Melbourne. During his studies, he wrote a minor thesis on pragmatics and interpreting, volunteered at Taiwanese cultural events in Melbourne, and collaborated with Swinburne University film students as a Mandarin dialogue translator for the short film Sons of the Moon. As a 2025 Stephen FitzGerald Scholar, Ray gained deeper insights into Australian society.

This event is part of the National Writers’ Conference weekend. Purchase a full Weekend Pass to all NWC sessions or curate your experience with single session tickets.

Accessibility

Auslan Interpretation may be available on request, Close Captioned, Wheelchair Accessible, Accessible Toilet, Hearing Loop, Quiet Space.

Sunday 13 September, 1.45-2.45PM

National Writers’ Conference

Single session ticket or Full NWC Weekend Pass

Book tickets

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The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space (Level 2, ground level)
176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

Venue accessibility information

View location at 5XQ8+W5

Featuring...

Shannon Benton

Shannon Benton is a regional NSW writer whose work explores memory, landscape and the interior lives of women. She was one of five shortlisted for the Newcastle Writers Festival Fresh Ink Prize and named in The Best Australian Yarn (Top 50). Her work has appeared in Mona Magazine. She is the recipient of the 2026 ASAL Creative Writing Fellowship and is currently developing her debut novel, Fragmented.

Simran Pasricha

Simran Pasricha is a Melbourne-based senior news writer and producer at PEDESTRIAN.TV, aiming to make politics, pop culture and social issues accessible for Gen Z and millennial audiences. An Indian-Malaysian queer journalist, she is also the co-founder and host of the podcast Broadly Relevant.

Neqou Soqluman

Neqou Soqluman is an Indigenous Bunun writer, novelist, and literary committee member from Taiwan. His literary works deeply explore tribal genealogy, hunting traditions, and ancient seafaring lore, reflecting a profound connection to ancestral heritage. He has served as a final review committee member for prestigious honors, including the Taiwan Literature Award. Integrating cultural roots with contemporary narrative forms, Neqou’s storytelling bridges ancestral wisdom and modern literature. Beyond writing, he is dedicated to indigenous vocal traditions, including eight-part harmony, and community cultural preservation, bringing unique, vital Indigenous perspectives to the global literary landscape.

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