Seymour and Gleebooks present

Tim Winton
Songs from the Firefront

Book Launch

9 NOV 2026

Tim Winton is one of Australia's most decorated living writers — a four-time Miles Franklin winner (Shallows, Cloudstreet, Dirt Music, Breath) and twice Booker-shortlisted. Raised in Western Australia, he's spent his career writing the state's coastline into literature, the ocean a near-constant presence in his work.

Tim Winton will be in conversation with Michaela Kalowski to discuss his latest book, Songs From the Firefront, a memoir in essays about the sacred fragility of existence. 

Deeply personal, brimming with anger and humour and love – for family, for the beautiful, brutal Australian landscape – Tim Winton’s writing invites you into the world of one of our greatest living writers and asks the question, how do we keep going in a burning world?

From memories of his own childhood to what he sees in his grandchildren’s future, Songs from the Firefront is a profound book about the world we live in and what we can hope to pass on. It’s a call for solidarity and a testament to the deep joys and sorrows of family life.

There will be activity in the foyer after the event for book purchase and signing.

Tim Winton is widely considered one of the greatest living Australian writers. Since his first novel, An Open Swimmer, won the Australian/Vogel Award in 1981, he has won the Miles Franklin Award four times (for Shallows, Cloudstreet, Dirt Music and Breath) and twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize (for The Riders and Dirt Music). In 2023 he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for "distinguished service to literature as an author and novelist, to conservation, and to environmental advocacy. He lives in Western Australia.

Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer, moderator and curator for writers and ideas festivals. Highlight interviews include Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith, Stan Grant and Robbie Arnott. She was curator of Big Weekend of Books, ABC RN’s annual on-air writers’ festival for five years. She produces & hosts a monthly books conversation event for Petersham Bowling Club. Michaela has conducted radio interviews and presented programs across ABC radio and TV. She's co-presenter and co-writer of a two-part podcast for ABC RN, tracing part of her family’s history, called Laya’s Way Home. Michaela is Head of Books for Denim Pictures, helping to find books for film and TV adaptation. She’s a judge of the Stella Prize for 2027.

Speakers Tim Winton, in conversation with Michaela Kalowski

Everest Theatre

Mon 9 Nov 6.30pm

The Everest Bar will be open from 5pm.

Approximately 60 minutes with no interval. There will be activity in the foyer after the event for book purchase and signing. No lockouts apply. 

Adult $30
Student $20
Book add-on* $40 (RRP $45)

$8 transaction fee applies.

*Book add on is available until 11:59pm Sunday 8 November

Filming and photography strictly prohibited.

If you have access needs, please contact our Box Office staff at 02 7255 1561.

You can read more about venue accessibility here.

The only authorised ticket seller for this event is Seymour Centre. If you purchase from an unauthorised seller, you risk that your tickets may be fake or invalid.

Everest Theatre

Mon 9 Nov 6.30pm

The Everest Bar will be open from 5pm.

Approximately 60 minutes with no interval. There will be activity in the foyer after the event for book purchase and signing. No lockouts apply. 

Adult $30
Student $20
Book add-on* $40 (RRP $45)

$8 transaction fee applies.

*Book add on is available until 11:59pm Sunday 8 November

Filming and photography strictly prohibited.

If you have access needs, please contact our Box Office staff at 02 7255 1561.

You can read more about venue accessibility here.

The only authorised ticket seller for this event is Seymour Centre. If you purchase from an unauthorised seller, you risk that your tickets may be fake or invalid.

Tim Winton is widely considered one of the greatest living Australian writers. Since his first novel, An Open Swimmer, won the Australian/Vogel Award in 1981, he has won the Miles Franklin Award four times (for Shallows, Cloudstreet, Dirt Music and Breath) and twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize (for The Riders and Dirt Music). In 2023 he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for "distinguished service to literature as an author and novelist, to conservation, and to environmental advocacy. He lives in Western Australia.

Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer, moderator and curator for writers and ideas festivals. Highlight interviews include Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith, Stan Grant and Robbie Arnott. She was curator of Big Weekend of Books, ABC RN’s annual on-air writers’ festival for five years. She produces & hosts a monthly books conversation event for Petersham Bowling Club. Michaela has conducted radio interviews and presented programs across ABC radio and TV. She's co-presenter and co-writer of a two-part podcast for ABC RN, tracing part of her family’s history, called Laya’s Way Home. Michaela is Head of Books for Denim Pictures, helping to find books for film and TV adaptation. She’s a judge of the Stella Prize for 2027.

Speakers Tim Winton, in conversation with Michaela Kalowski