Brisbane Writers Festival
SLQ
Brisbane Powerhouse
GOMA Cinema A&B
QAG Lecture Theatre
QPAC Concert Hall
Parliament House
Sept 5-9
Free-$35

Now in its 50th year the Brisbane Writers Festival has reached a fine vintage, with five days and one all nighter packed with talks, panels, poetry slams, debates, workshops and master classes. More than half of the events are free so there's plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of writing and meet with authors (many home grown) across all genres.

Highlights of the festival are:

Yarn hosted by Richard Fidler at the Pineapple Lounge (on the Breezeway, Maiwar Green) – a panel get-together of singer songwriters best witnessed with a signature pineapple lounge cocktail or glass of fine wine. Sept 7 4.30-11

The Great Debate at QPAC featuring a colourful cast of panellists including Germaine Greer, Bob Katter, Jacqui Payne (Qld's first aboriginal magistrate), local writer Benjamin Law, criminal defense investigator Rachel Sommerville and former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway. Concert Hall Sept 8 5.30-7 $35.

Women of Letters at Brisbane Powerhouse. Join high profile authors Joanne Harris (Chocolat), Kate Forsyth, Krissy Kneen, Belinda Jeffrey and Tara Moss as they poignantly rediscover the lost art of letter writing by penning a birthday letter in this insightful evening of literature and correspondence curated by writers Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire.

Literary Love-In at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Here's one for night owls and insomniacs with an all nighter to celebrate the QWF 50th. A page v stage poetry slam, book readings, crime panels, live bands and yoga, with a morning session panel of sexperts, breakfast and a dose of international news. Sept 8 9-8 $35 (b'fast included).