Putting literary audiences first

In the literary world, we regularly talk about writers, publishing, events and festivals, bookselling, critics and criticism, and the media when we discuss our industry. But where does the reader fit in?
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Image: via www.mwf.com.au

A core focus of my work as Director of Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) has been bringing readers to the forefront of our thinking, about everything from programming to marketing. It may seem strange to note that MWF is putting its audience first; haven’t audiences always been important? The answer, I think, is both yes and no.

In the literary world, we regularly talk about writers, publishing, events and festivals, bookselling, critics and criticism, and the media when we discuss our industry. But where does the reader fit in?

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Lisa Dempster
About the Author
Lisa Dempster is the Executive Manager of Public Participation at Yarra Plenty Regional Library. Previously she has led the Melbourne Writers Festival, Jaipur Literature Festival Melbourne, Emerging Writers’ Festival and Digital Writers’ Festivals. In 2012 Lisa curated ‘Future Bookshop’ at the National Gallery of Victoria, and undertook an Asialink residency with the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.