A wonderful weekend event of Writers’ and Publishers’ Talks at Clunes http://www.booktown.clunes.org/writers.htm including a Melbourne PEN event on Saturday, May 1, 12.30 – 1.30pm

Books Change Lives, Don’t They?

Toni Jordan and Arnold Zable
Join award-winning authors and members of Melbourne PEN talking about books that have changed their lives.

Chaired by Anthony Lawrence
Sponsored by Melbourne PEN

Plus the Melbourne PEN stall on Saturday and Sunday.

Come, meet  and support Malalai Joya.
Joya is a young woman of great courage and action, an elected delegate to Afghanistan’s National Assembly who was suspended because she dared to  speak out against other parliamentarians with extensive human rights abuses. She is coming to Melbourne in July to launch her book Raising my Voice.

Joya will speak of her work in striving for a democratic secular Afghanistan and as well as introducing her book Raising My Voice.

WHEN ?          TUESDAY JULY 14, 6.30 for 7.00pm
WHERE ?        LENTIL AS ANYTHING, Abbotsford Convent, 15 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
WHAT?          A delicious meal in the best company
COST?           $50  (includes donation to Malalai Joya)
BOOKINGS?   Booking essential as numbers are limited
admin@melbournepen.com.au

The next Melbourne PEN Committee meeting is on Tuesday June 23, 7.30pm, Prahran Mechanics Institute, 140 High Street, Prahran. All PEN members are cordially invited to attend.

The next Committee Meeting will take place on Tuesday April 7 at 7.30pm, at the Prahran Mechanics Institute, 140 High Street, Prahran.
All members are welcome to attend.

On Sunday 5 April 2008 at 3pm the Melbourne PEN Centre will celebrate its honorary member Wajeha al-Huwaider and women writers in the Middle East. The location is Athenaeum Library, Level 1, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne – library phone number is 96503100 in case you are locked out. Call Judy on 0414905042 or email if you’d like to attend. Cost — $20 per head or $15 (concession / seniors) — includes refreshments and donation to the Women Writers Committee.

Celebrating Women Writers in the Middle East

On Sunday 5 April 2008 at 3pm (at a venue to be announced) the Melbourne PEN Centre will celebrate its honorary member Wajeha al-Huwaider and women writers in the middle east. Please email Melbourne PEN or call me, Judith Buckrich, on 0414905042 for further information. The cost will probably be about $20/$15 and will include refreshments.

Wajeha_al-Huwaider

About Wajeha: She has now been forbidden to write for many years. This has never stopped her incessant battle to gain rights for women in what is perhaps the most oppressive regime in the world. Despite this oppression Wajeha has bravely continued to communicate to the world through CNN, the BBC and other press agencies which regularly feature interviews with her.