Supported by
The second cohort of The Wheeler Centre’s 2026 Hot Desk Fellowships share their work at this special edition of The Next Big Thing.
At this special edition of The Next Big Thing, writers awarded a 2026 Hot Desk Fellowship will share exclusive excerpts from their works-in-progress.
Grab a drink and settle in as host Pranati Narayan Visweswaran introduces Nicola Bryant, Michael Earp, Grace Hall, Nalini Jacob-Roussety, Shahrin Shamim and Annie Zhang for an evening of captivating readings – from memoir to dark academia and coming-of-age drama – and insights into their creative practice.
Content warning:
This event may include references to sensitive content. The authors will share relevant content warnings with the audience before their readings.
The Hot Desk Fellowships are supported by the Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne, the Readings Foundation and the Just Pretending theatre group.
The Next Big Thing series is generously supported by George and Rosa Morstyn.
Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Monday 21 September
6.30 - 7.30pm
Tickets
$19.50
Full
$15.50
Concession
$15.50
Under 30
$0.00
Pay What You Wish
Location
Accessibility
Accessible toilets available
Assistive Listening
Registered Assistance Animals welcome
Wheelchair accessible
For information regarding accessibility at The Wheeler Centre, click here.
Please notify us of all access requirements when booking online so we can assist you with your visit. If you require further information, please contact ticketing@wheelercentre.com.
Featuring
Nicola Bryant
Nicola Bryant (she/her) is a curator and creative producer based in Naarm. She is currently a Director and Board Member of #LoveOzYA, where she champions Australian young adult literature. She is also ...
Michael Earp
Michael Earp is a non-binary writer and bookseller living in Naarm. They are editor of, and contributor to 'Everything Under the Moon: Fairy tales in a queerer light', 'Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories', 'Out-Side: ...
Grace Hall
Grace Hall is a queer, disabled writer living on unceded Wurundjeri land. Her work has been published by Mascara Literary Review, Archer magazine, Writers Victoria and elsewhere. Grace was a 2024 ...
Nalini Jacob-Roussety
Nalini is a Melbourne-based writer and educator and the Philosopher-in-Residence at 'After Dinner Conversation,' a philosophical literary magazine. Through her writing, she aims to explore political and ...
Madison Pawle
Madison Pawle is a writer and hospitality worker living in Naarm/Melbourne. Her writing can be found in Debris, un Magazine and Going Down Swinging.
Shahrin Shamim
Shahrin is a writer and producer who has worked with the Australian Theatre for Young People, Sydney Fringe and Melbourne Writers’ Theatre. She has also written editorial pieces for 2ser, PUSH Magazine and ...
Annie Zhang
Annie Zhang is a writer and editor. Her work has been published by Overland, Liminal, Debris Magazine, Island and more. She has been recognised in the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize and the Woollahra ...
Pranati Narayan Visweswaran
Artist, creative worker, and culture junkie, Pranati is a staunch supporter of the arts. They have experience working with emerging, independent BIPOC artists, and are the founder of local initiative South by South East ...