The Incredible Uplift of Compassion

Fri 6 Sep 2019

Ben Hobson + Eve L. Ewing + Tim Costello

The Edge, State Library of Queensland

Panel

6110

#Performances

#About the event

Duration: 60 minutes

The human spirit can be incredibly generous. Prepare to be uplifted by these thoughtful writers, who will look at the power of compassion to create connections and understanding.

#Artists

Ben Hobson

Ben Hobson is a teacher, and an author, based in Brisbane. To Become a Whale, his debut novel, was released in 2017. It was longlisted for the ABIA Debut Fiction award and shortlisted for the Courier-Mail's People's Choice Award. His second novel, Snake Island, a literary thriller, was released in 2019. He also runs Ben's Book Club, a monthly online book club for libraries, and the Burgers, Beers and Books podcast. The Death of John Lacey is his third novel, and was released in February, 2023.

Eve L. Ewing

Dr. Eve L. Ewing is a sociologist of education and a writer from Chicago. She is the author of Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago's South Side. She is also author of Electric Arches, which received awards from the American Library Association and the Poetry Society of America and was named one of the year's best books by NPR and the Chicago Tribune. She is the co-author (with Nate Marshall) of the play No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks. She also writes the Ironheart series for Marvel Comics. Ewing is an assistant professor at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Her work has been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and many other venues.

Tim Costello

I am a husband of 40 years, a father of 3 and grandfather now. I have recently completed 15 years with World Vision Australia. I am passionate about what makes life meaningful, fair and just. I love Australia and want us to lead in creating a future for others who have been afforded less opportunities and natural advantages. I keep hope alive because we have more in common than what drives us apart to face the challenges our globe confronts.

#Moderator

Joy Lawn

Joy Lawn reviews fiction for the Australian newspaper. Her reviews and interviews have also appeared in Australian Book Review, Magpies magazine, SMH/The Age, Books+Publishing and professional journals.

Joy is currently judging fiction for the Queensland Literary Awards and women’s crime writing for the Davitt Awards. She has judged the Prime Minister’s and NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, the Russell Prize for Humour Writing and other awards; blogs about literary fiction, young adult and children’s literature as ‘Joy in Books’ at ‘PaperbarkWords’ blog https://paperbarkwords.blog/ and loves moderating sessions at writers’ festivals.

Joy is fascinated by ideas and images and how authors and illustrators express these with truth and originality.