Meg Mason
Sophie, Standing There
2:00pm, Sunday 16th August 2026 at Brisbane Powerhouse
Global bestseller Meg Mason, author of the literary sensation Sorrow and Bliss, is back!
Sophie Pattison has a secret. Not the dark kind – Sophie’s a lovely person, and she has a job as a sound producer for literary festivals, which can be a little bit thankless, but she loves it because she loves books and authors. No, Sophie’s secret is that she’s incredibly, achingly lonely. When she discovers the work of a famous author, Sophie feels as though she’s found the company she craves – even though she knows she’ll never actually meet her literary heroine. Sophie’s favourite writer in all the world would never be a guest at the same festival Sophie works for. Would she?
Meg Mason has done it again. Don’t miss your chance to see this incredible writer discussing her tender, witty and breathtaking new novel in conversation with fellow novelist Kimberley Allsopp. Click below to book tickets now.
#BWF 2025 Highlights
#Missed out on merch?
Never fear! You can still snag yourself something remember us by. Order any of our merch items from the last three festivals, and we’ll deliver for the additional cost of postage.
Artwork credits:
2025 hero image by Phoebe Paradise
2024 hero image by Samuel Tupou
2023 hero image by Brent Wilson
Click below to order yours now—limited stock available!
Brisbane Writers Festival is held on the lands of the Yuggera and Turrbul people, on the banks of the Maiwar river. We recognise the important and ongoing contributions of Indigenous Australians to art and literature, and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.