Readers - Books and Conversations - Ailsa Piper

This is a series of in-depth and relaxed conversations with authors about their latest work, and their body of work, their writing process and the ideas that inspire them.

Ailsa Piper has worked with words her whole life – as a writer for major Australian newspapers and journals, as well as for radio, and as a director, actor, teacher, speaker, audiobook narrator ( Ailsa narrated 'The Natural Way of Things' by our previous Readers guest, Charlotte Wood ) and broadcaster. Highlights include being named co-winner of the Patrick White Playwright’s Award for her script Small Mercies in 2001; and publishing her first book the travel memoir Sinning Across Spain, which told of a 1300-kilometre walk she took while carrying the misdemeanours of others.

Then came The Attachment: Letters From a Most Unlikely Friendship, co-authored with Tony Doherty – a celebration of conversation across divides and differences. Her adaptation of The Duchess of Malfi was widely acclaimed when it was performed by the Bell Shakespeare Company. She is a respected moderator and interviewer at writers’ festivals, having chatted with many of our best Australian writers and internationals like Sarah Winman, Michael Cunningham & Anne Patchett.

Her latest work For Life is an unforgettable and moving insight into loss, hope and starting again, aided by the incredible healing power of nature and a community of unexpected angels.