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READ THE ATHENAEUM LIBRARY Lots of people hurtle along Collins Street never stopping to explore the imposing old Athenaeum building. If they did, they’d discover a 170-year-old library. Overlooking the street, the Athenaeum Library is home to more than 60,000 books (from classics to juicy best sellers). The sign reads “Subscription, one guinea per annum” but everyone’s welcome to browse. (Modern-day memberships are paid in dollars, and $75 includes entry to talks and events year round.) Lvl 1, 188 Collins St, Melbourne | melbourneathenaeum.org.au | 03 9650 3100 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9.30am-5pm | Wed 11am-8pm | Sat 9.30am-1pm
and found some Beat Generation books he’d been hunting for years. Owner Kris Hemensley hosts free readings in the shop and is a goldmine of information about Melbourne’s poetry events. Nicholas Building, Lvl 1, 37 Swanston St, Melbourne | collectedworks-poetryideas. blogspot.com | 03 9654 8873 | Mon-Thu 9.30am5.30pm | Fri 9.30am-6pm | Sat 9.30am-1.30pm
EMERGING WRITERS’ FESTIVAL Tweet up, speak up, and learn to spell the word ‘up’! The annual Emerging Writers’ Festival features free writing ‘bootcamps’, Twitter events and even a Spelling Bee where you can win a trophy made of Scrabble pieces. Wannabe writers of any age can buy affordable tickets to more than ten days of specialist workshops and talks – from ‘Music Writing’ (in a pub) to ‘The Writer’s Toolkit’ (not just pencils). emergingwritersfestival.org.au | 03 9094 7877 | May-June | Some shows ticketed | Adult from $12
CLUNES, BACK TO BOOKTOWN For a few days each May, the former gold mining hamlet of Clunes (population 1,000) is home to Booktown – a festival where rare and second-hand booksellers set up shop and hundreds of literature enthusiasts run riot in the streets. Well, they don’t actually run. They amble quietly in the streets browsing hard-to-find page-turners, meeting authors and stopping every now and then for a picnic. Bookworms in paradise. booktown.clunes.org | May
COLLECTED WORKS Melbourne’s unofficial poetry headquarters can be found in the Nicholas Building, perched unassumingly behind a second-hand clothes shop. Founded in 1984, Collected Works stocks new, old and sometimes very rare poetry – Sonic Youth singer Thurston Moore once popped in
MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL Since 1986, the annual Melbourne Writers Festival has been the main event on the bookworm calendar. These days it’s bigger than ever, with events at Fed Square and the Wheeler Centre as well as in cafes and music venues. Meet your favourite authors, journalists and bloggers, celebrate great pop lyrics and even learn to draw comics. Free events include walking tours and breakfast readings – where you can increase your caffeine intake to professional-writer levels. mwf.com.au | mwfblog.com.au | 03 9094 7859 | August-September