Comedy Salon: So Bad It’s Good
ABOUT THE SHOW
Elaine Castillo, Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Jordan Prosser, Charlie Jane Anders, Debra Oswald & Richard Glover. Laura McCluskey (MC)
Writing that’s so bad it’s good? So over the top it’s funny? Harder than it may sound. These brave literary souls have accepted a peculiar mission: come up with an odd alter ego and then write a short story in the voice of that character. What could go wrong? You’ll need a ticket to find out.
PART OF BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Named one of “30 of the Planet’s Most Exciting Young People” by the Financial Times, Elaine Castillo’s novel Moderation was longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize in Fiction and named one of the Top Ten Books of 2025 by The Atlantic, Slate, and a Best Book of 2025 by The New Yorker, TIME, and more.
Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad is the founding director of Sweatshop Literacy Movement and the author of three award-winning novels: The Tribe (Giramondo, 2014), The Lebs (Hachette, 2018) and The Other Half of You (Hachette, 2021). Mohammed’s latest novel is Bugger (Hachette, 2026).
Jordan Prosser is an author and screenwriter based in Naarm/Melbourne. He won the Peter Carey Short Story Award in 2022. His debut novel, Big Time, was shortlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year at the ABIAs and the Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.
Charlie Jane Anders is the award-winning, bestselling author of Lessons in Magic and Disaster. Her other books include All the Birds in the Sky, The City in the Middle of the Night, and Never Say You Can’t Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories.
Debra Oswald is a two-time winner of the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, creator of the TV series Offspring and author of novels Useful, The Whole Bright Year, The Family Doctor and One Hundred Years of Betty. She has written TV scripts, nine children’s books and many stage plays.
Richard Glover is the author of the bestsellers The Land Before Avocado and Flesh Wounds. His new book is How to Ruin a Child, a journey into the hilarious and sometimes disturbing history of parenting advice in Australia.
Laura McCluskey is a writer, producer and actor. She is a co-founder of Sybilline Films and Three Fates Theatre Company, and has performed across theatre, film and television. Her debut novel, The Wolf Tree, the first in a series featuring Scottish detectives George Lennox and Richie Stewart.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
VENUE
TICKETS
DURATION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Suitable for all ages
18 months and under free on the knee; all other ages must hold a valid ticket
Contains adult themes
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Named one of “30 of the Planet’s Most Exciting Young People” by the Financial Times, Elaine Castillo’s novel Moderation was longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize in Fiction and named one of the Top Ten Books of 2025 by The Atlantic, Slate, and a Best Book of 2025 by The New Yorker, TIME, and more.
Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad is the founding director of Sweatshop Literacy Movement and the author of three award-winning novels: The Tribe (Giramondo, 2014), The Lebs (Hachette, 2018) and The Other Half of You (Hachette, 2021). Mohammed’s latest novel is Bugger (Hachette, 2026).
Jordan Prosser is an author and screenwriter based in Naarm/Melbourne. He won the Peter Carey Short Story Award in 2022. His debut novel, Big Time, was shortlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year at the ABIAs and the Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.
Charlie Jane Anders is the award-winning, bestselling author of Lessons in Magic and Disaster. Her other books include All the Birds in the Sky, The City in the Middle of the Night, and Never Say You Can’t Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories.
Debra Oswald is a two-time winner of the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, creator of the TV series Offspring and author of novels Useful, The Whole Bright Year, The Family Doctor and One Hundred Years of Betty. She has written TV scripts, nine children’s books and many stage plays.
Richard Glover is the author of the bestsellers The Land Before Avocado and Flesh Wounds. His new book is How to Ruin a Child, a journey into the hilarious and sometimes disturbing history of parenting advice in Australia.
Laura McCluskey is a writer, producer and actor. She is a co-founder of Sybilline Films and Three Fates Theatre Company, and has performed across theatre, film and television. Her debut novel, The Wolf Tree, the first in a series featuring Scottish detectives George Lennox and Richie Stewart.
