The Horror of Care - Readings and Music

Not all creativity heals, but sometimes it can bring a strange kind of peace. And even new ways of seeing and being in the world.

We invite you to a night of stories from Canberra authors about their work exploring the unusual, difficult but  sometimes beautiful and transgressive wounds from caring for others. Of writing about illness and family loss. Doing awful things and apparently getting away with it. Bearing witness to a world succumbing. And how the art of horror writing helps connect with audiences. With local music.

Our authors offer powerful insights from their dark works. Kaaron Warren will read from her upcoming novella, "Going to Summertime". Aaron Dries performs his short story, A Guy Like Mel. Ben O’Mara shares his experience of the horror and beauty of loss from disease. J. Ashley-Smith reads from his intelligent, complex stories that lift the veil on the wonder and horror of a world “just out of true”. And Jenny Sawer sings about “hearing your loved ones who have died speaking to us from beyond in times of silence”.

The evening will conclude with an interactive conversation with performers about their work and the processes of horror writing in a “care context”, and meanings possible from this kind of work, including how this connects us to a sense of place.

Come along to listen and join the discussion.

This is the fourth event in the “Macabre Dreams” series hosted by Lost Souls Magazine.