Following an incredible year for authors Will Kostakis and Andrew Pippos, the two Greek Australians have been announced as featured guests for the 2021 Sydney Writers’ Festival.
Will Kostakis is most notable in the Australian writing community for his Monuments book series and novel The First Third, which was written as a way to show a new perspective on what it’s like growing up in a Greek-Australian family.
Will Kostakis said he’s honoured to be part of the YA Gala at the Writer’s Festival and is excited to be able to speak with Sydney’s youth after a year of limited events.
“It’s always such a huge highlight for me… being able to go and immerse myself in the latest and greatest of YA is always a thrill,” Kostakis said to The Greek Herald.
“It’s weird after a year in isolation I’ve been thrust back. I’m currently in regional Queensland doing a tour in Dolby and so it’s been really cool being able to reconnect with authors and actually connect with the audience again.”
“So that’s always really invigorating and after writing two books last year in isolation it’s so different to be able to bounce off teenagers and the effect that has on the work I produce is astronomical.”
Kostakis was recently announced as the recipient of the 2020 School Library Association of New South Wales Maurice Saxby Award. The Maurice Saxby Award recognises service to children’s and/or young adult literature by an individual, team or organisation that has displayed excellence and passion in promoting reading and/or writing for young people in NSW.
Author Andrew Pippos became more recently known from his debut novel ‘Lucky’s’, which allows Greek Australian readers to relive the iconic Greek milk bar/café businesses, found in so many Australian towns and suburbs.
Pippos will be taking part in the “Your favourites’ favourites” conversation program, alongside Australian novelist Michelle De Kretser.
READ MORE: Debut book by Andrew Pippos shines new light on Greek Australian cafés
“The Sydney Writers‘ Festival is without doubt one of the best cultural events in the city and I couldn’t be happier about appearing on the program with my first book,” Pippos said to The Greek Herald.
“The return of these large events is also a sign that the city really is back on its feet. The community of readers and writers is returning to normal.”
His book ‘Lucky’s’ had incredible national success and has been described as “a must-read saga, and a gripping monument to Greek diaspora” by The Guardian Australia. Speaking to The Greek Herald last year upon it’s release, Pippos said he wanted to write about a familiar setting that “had an importance to me personally.”
