Julie was born in Sydney to Chinese-Malaysian parents. Her short stories have appeared in The Best Australian Stories 2014, 2015 and 2016, 2016’s Best Australian Comedy Writing, The Australian, The Sleepers Almanac 7 to X, The Lifted Brow, Seizure, The Canary Press, Kyoto Journal, The Fish Anthology and Fixi Novo’s HEAT.

Her latest book is a collection of short stories, Portable Curiosities, which has been receiving great reviews. It is a biting collection of stories from a bold new voice.

These 12 stories combine absurd humour with searing critiques on contemporary society – the rampant consumerism, the casual misogyny, the insidious fear of those who are different.

Brilliantly clever and brimming with heart, this unforgettable collection is the work of a significant new talent.

Julie will be in conversation with Jen Barry about Portable Curiosities, for the opening of this year’s Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival on Friday, May 26 at 7.30pm at BMEC. All events at the festival are free and the program is available from the BMEC website and at Books Plus Bathurst.

Other features of the local program are a feast for poetry lovers – on the evening of Saturday, May 27.

At  5.30pm guest poet Mark Tredinnick will be in conversation with local poet Bill Green. Mark is an award-winning Australian poet whose poetry celebrates the landscape.

He has also written a beautiful book of nature writing, Blue Plateau, set in the Blue Mountains, and his work has appeared in The Best Australian Poems and a number of poetry collections, including Bluewren Cantos and Fire Diary.

Members of Bathurst Poets group will be reading from their own work in a session at 6.30pm.

Bathurst’s Poets have been meeting regularly since last year’s festival, and have held a number of poetry evenings throughout the year.

Many of the group’s members have had work published in Australian poetry journals, and poetry lovers can expect to hear a range of original work.

One of the most successful events at the 2016 Festival was the Poetry Slam, which will return this year. Starting at 7.30pm, poets will battle for great prizes by reading or reciting their own work in a fast-paced atmosphere.

There are categories for under 18s and open entries and you can register on the day at the Books Plus table in the BMEC foyer. This is a great event for audience members, who are encouraged to participate and take part in judging the event.

For keen creative writers of all genres there is a free one-hour intensive writing workshop for adults. Kim Kelly will return to the Festival to facilitate this session on Sunday, May 28 at 9.30am.

This workshop will focus on writing colourful characters. Register at Books Plus 6331 5994 or email admin@booksplus.com.au.