Every week, millions of people visit Slate to read 'Dear Prudence,’ an advice column offering indispensable life lessons with equal doses of humour and practicality. For five years, American writer Daniel M Lavery provided guidance as the titular Prudence, helping thousands of readers navigate tricky social situations and modern etiquette dilemmas. After developing a loyal readership with his books Texts From Jane Eyre, The Merry Spinster and Something That May Shock and Discredit You, Lavery’s latest work recounts his time at ‘Dear Prudence’, collecting some of the most illuminating and provocative questions and their answers during his tenure. For the Wheeler Centre’s World of Words, Lavery brings his much-loved, and often much-needed, advice down under for a conversation with writer and broadcaster Jess McGuire about his era as ‘Prudie’, revisiting and revising guidance over time, and some of the life lessons he has learnt in the process – plus the chance to ask Lavery for advice about your own sticky questions.
This event is supported by the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund, a Victorian Government and City of Melbourne partnership.
From South Korea to Mozambique, the UK to Vietnam, India to the USA – World of Words brings together some of the world's most exciting writers and thinkers as they share insights, ideas and inspiration from their internationally acclaimed careers.
Accessible toilets available
Assistive Listening
Wheelchair accessible
The bookseller for this event is Hill of Content Bookshop.
Daniel M. Lavery is a co-founder of The Toast and the author of Texts From Jane Eyre, The Merry Spinster, and Something That May Shock and Discredit You. Lavery wrote Slate’s Dear Prudence column from 2016 to 2021 ...
Jess McGuire is a writer and broadcaster based in central west NSW, and hosts breakfast radio each weekday morning on on ABC Western Plains. She previously appeared regularly as a reviewer and cultural commentator ...