Lussh Literary Lunch: One is the Loneliest Number
Our inaugural Lussh Literary Lunch in 2025 sold out! This year’s event will be just as popular as we have quadrupled the panel numbers to host guests from around Australia as they discuss the joy and challenges of writing collaboratively.
The act of writing is often imagined as solitary. A single author, a single voice. But what magic emerges when that voice becomes a chorus? In this illuminating panel, we explore the art and intimacy of collaboration with authors who write, edit, and dream together.
Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus, co-authors, professional book ninjas and Books on the Rail founders, who turned friendship into fiction and continue to slay with contemporary stories celebrating love.
Louise Duval and Allison A. Andrews bring warmth and wit to their beloved Hot and Frosty Christmas and Coming Home for Christmas anthologies.
In July 2025 Magabala Books announced a call for submissions for a First Nations romance anthology, to be edited by Ambelin Kwaymullina, Dr Melanie Saward and Dr Kate Cuthbert. The editors wrote of the anthology, ‘we hope to explore the unique intersection of genre romance and love through First Nations storytelling; we hope to find new voices and rediscover familiar favourites; and we hope to showcase the creativity and artistry of the genre and its writers. In short, we hope to fall in love.’ We are thrilled to have two of the editors on this panel joining us. Dr Melanie Saward, a proud Bigambul and Wakka Wakka woman, and Dr Kate Cuthbert, publishing director and genre fiction advocate.
Bringing it all together and moderating this very special discussion is bestselling author Ally Blake. An award-winning author of over fifty warm, wistful, whimsical romance novels, with more than four million copies of her books sold around the world. In 2026 Ally will release not one, but two, co-written books with Michelle Douglas and Kandy Shepherd.
Tickets include a delicious lunch bowl and beverage to enjoy during the panel. Dietary advice will be recorded at checkout.
Option for panel ticket only.
Option to package event with 2 other author In Conversation panels.Book signings: After the In Conversation, authors will be signing books in the Dendy foyer. You can also purchase the authors’ books (and many more) at the Books@Stones pop-up bookstore in the foyer.