Writing from the Heart

Naarm, Melbourne, Australia 

Keshe is a multi-award winning author of fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction. Her debut novel, The Girl With No Reflection, was released this year with Penguin Australia. Currently, she lives in Naarm with her partner, kids, her cat, and far too many houseplants. 

Appearing in: Session 3, Session 12 

Dharawal Country, Sydney, Australia 

ARIA Award and Double J Artist of the Year nominee, L-FRESH The LION has shared the stage with the likes of Nas and Sir Elton John. He is a contributing writer to Sweatshop Literacy Movement’s Another Australia anthology and has had his written poetry commissioned and published by Red Room Poetry. 

Appearing in: Session 3, Workshop: Rhythms and Rhymes 

Turrbal Country, Brisbane, Australia 

Sandhya Parappukkaran writes stories which are inspired by her childhood experiences traversing different cultures and are steeped in the theme of ‘embracing your cultural identity’. Scrumptious food and glimpses of nature inspired by her Kerala Indian heritage feature heavily when she sits down to write. 

Appearing in: Session 3, Session 9 

Noongar Country, Perth, Australia 

Sukhjit is a writer, performer, producer, and cultural leader based in Boorloo. Sukhjit is the Executive Director of The Blue Room Theatre and her debut novel will be released in 2025 with Upswell Publishing. 

Appearing in: Session 3, Session 14, Closing Night Debate