Saturday November 21st, 2026
from 5:00 PM
The Loft, Minor Works
22 Stamford Court, Adelaide, SA 5000
Free, but must submit EOI by 15 October 2026.
Click here to fill out the EOI form.
Calling all emerging writers (aged 18 to 26) to submit to this exclusive opportunity for a round of industry speed dating.
Literary Speed Dating
Literary Speed Dating is designed to give emerging and aspiring writers (aged 18 to 26 years old) a focused opportunity to speak with industry professionals, ask practical questions, and leave with clearer next steps.
Each conversation should be purposeful, respectful, and concise so that everyone has a fair chance to participate.
Ask The Editor: Alisa Ahmed (Hardie Grant)
Ask The Publisher: Emily Hart (Pink Shorts Press)
Ask The Literary Journal Editor: Farrin Foster (Splinter Journal)
Ask the Bookseller: Annie Waters (Mostly Books)
Context Writers Festival is an initiative of the City of Adelaide delivered in partnership with Writers SA.
Click here for the Writers SA event.
About the Panellists
Annie Waters has been getting in trouble since childhood for reading in the dark; sometimes she still reads past sundown. Now, she proudly owns Adelaide’s oldest independent bookshop, Mostly Books in Torrens Park and reviews books in print and on podcasts in her spare time.
Emily Hart is a publisher, editor and co-director at Pink Shorts Press. She was named the book industry’s Rising Star in 2022, and has worked at Hardie Grant Books, Wakefield Press, Dillons Bookshop and XXVI.
Alisa Ahmed is the managing editor at Ultimo Press. She began her publishing career at a literary agency in London and has worked closely with authors writing across a variety genres and topics. She is passionate about championing new voices and strives to widen inclusivity in publishing. She also has experience in negotiating contracts and selling rights, and more recently, she worked in production at Scribe Publications. Alisa edits adult fiction and narrative non-fiction and is proud to have worked with some of Australia’s best contemporary writers.
Farrin Foster is an editor, writer, and occasional film-maker. She is the founding editor of Splinter literary journal, and was previously the editor of independent masthead CityMag. Farrin has been published extensively as a writer and journalist, including in mastheads like Meanjin, the Guardian, Kill Your Darlings, and The Big Issue.
Click here for the Writers SA event.
Discover more from Spoken Word SA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.