Fact as Fiction
ABOUT THE SHOW
The stories of women defying the expectations of their times animate these wonderful historical novels, which venture from the verdant English countryside to the glittering waters of the Torres Strait by way of the elusive mystery of Australia’s disappearing Prime Minister. Rendering the remarkable inner lives of their central characters, these books exemplify the delicate art of breathing new life into history.
Supported by the Copywrites Agency’s Cultural Fund
PART OF BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Toni Jordan has worked as a molecular biologist, quality control chemist, TAB operator and door-to-door aluminium siding salesperson. She is the author of the international bestseller Addition, which was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and has been adapted into a feature film, in cinemas in 2026. Her novel Nine Days was awarded Best Fiction at the 2012 Indie Awards and was named in Kirkus Review’s top 10 Historical Novels of 2013; Our Tiny, Useless Hearts, was longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award; and her two Schnabel family novels, Dinner with the Schnabels and Prettier if She Smiled More, were critically acclaimed. Toni has been published widely in newspapers and magazines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in physiology and a PhD in Creative Arts and lives in Melbourne. Tenderfoot is her eighth novel.
Kimberley Freeman is a writer of historical fiction, with a particular interest in understanding the lives of women that history has erased. She has published eight novels, and a further 23 under her other name, Kim Wilkins. Her work is published all over the world, and in more than 20 languages, and she has been a Target book club and QANTAS chairman’s club pick. She is a Professor of creative writing at The University of Queensland, where she researches the publishing industry and creative uses of storytelling across science and engineering. She lives in Brisbane, as do her two much-loved adult children, two much-loved cats, and one much-loved Irish partner.
Lenora Thaker is a Meriam and Wagedagam woman born and raised on Gimuy-Walubarra Yidinji country in far north Queensland. She has worked in the government, community and private sectors and been a staunch advocate for First Nations children and families. She is published in anthologies including Growing Up Torres Strait Islander In Australia and On Butterfly Wings, and in magazines including The Big Issue. In 2021 Lenora was awarded the Writing NSW Boundless Mentorship for her manuscript about a family of Torres Strait Islanders living in a shantytown during the 1930s. Her ground-breaking debut novel, The Pearl of Tagai Town, is published by Text Publishing.
Laura Elvery is the author of the novel Nightingale and two award-winning short story collections, Ordinary Matter and Trick of the Light. She lives in Brisbane.
Melanie Myers is a writer, researcher, editor and playwright. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and teaches at the University of Queensland. In 2018, she won the Queensland Literary Awards Glendower Award for an Emerging Writer. Her winning manuscript was published as Meet Me at Lennon’s (UQP). Her work has been published in Kill Your Darlings, Griffith Review, Arena Magazine, Overland, Hecate, TEXT and other publications. She is a winner of the Griffith Review Emerging Voices competition and UQ Creative Writing Fellowship.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Suitable for 15+
18 months and under free on the knee; all other ages must hold a vaild ticket
Contains adult themes
Contains coarse language
ACCESSIBILITY
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Toni Jordan has worked as a molecular biologist, quality control chemist, TAB operator and door-to-door aluminium siding salesperson. She is the author of the international bestseller Addition, which was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and has been adapted into a feature film, in cinemas in 2026. Her novel Nine Days was awarded Best Fiction at the 2012 Indie Awards and was named in Kirkus Review’s top 10 Historical Novels of 2013; Our Tiny, Useless Hearts, was longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award; and her two Schnabel family novels, Dinner with the Schnabels and Prettier if She Smiled More, were critically acclaimed. Toni has been published widely in newspapers and magazines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in physiology and a PhD in Creative Arts and lives in Melbourne. Tenderfoot is her eighth novel.
Kimberley Freeman is a writer of historical fiction, with a particular interest in understanding the lives of women that history has erased. She has published eight novels, and a further 23 under her other name, Kim Wilkins. Her work is published all over the world, and in more than 20 languages, and she has been a Target book club and QANTAS chairman’s club pick. She is a Professor of creative writing at The University of Queensland, where she researches the publishing industry and creative uses of storytelling across science and engineering. She lives in Brisbane, as do her two much-loved adult children, two much-loved cats, and one much-loved Irish partner.
Lenora Thaker is a Meriam and Wagedagam woman born and raised on Gimuy-Walubarra Yidinji country in far north Queensland. She has worked in the government, community and private sectors and been a staunch advocate for First Nations children and families. She is published in anthologies including Growing Up Torres Strait Islander In Australia and On Butterfly Wings, and in magazines including The Big Issue. In 2021 Lenora was awarded the Writing NSW Boundless Mentorship for her manuscript about a family of Torres Strait Islanders living in a shantytown during the 1930s. Her ground-breaking debut novel, The Pearl of Tagai Town, is published by Text Publishing.
Laura Elvery is the author of the novel Nightingale and two award-winning short story collections, Ordinary Matter and Trick of the Light. She lives in Brisbane.
Melanie Myers is a writer, researcher, editor and playwright. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and teaches at the University of Queensland. In 2018, she won the Queensland Literary Awards Glendower Award for an Emerging Writer. Her winning manuscript was published as Meet Me at Lennon’s (UQP). Her work has been published in Kill Your Darlings, Griffith Review, Arena Magazine, Overland, Hecate, TEXT and other publications. She is a winner of the Griffith Review Emerging Voices competition and UQ Creative Writing Fellowship.
