Masterclass in the Art of Autobiography with Dr. Shannon Burns

On Monday the 11th of November we had the privilege of hosting a Masterclass in the Art of Autobiography with talented writer and critic Dr. Shannon Burns.

Shannon's first book, Childhood, won the South Australia Premier's Award and Non-Fiction Award, as well as being shortlisted for the Age Book of the Year, Victorian Premier's Literary Award, NSW Premier's Literary Award and the South Australian Literary Award. Shannon's Masterclass was an engaging overview of contemporary and classical examples of contemporary memoir, literary autobiography and autobiographical fiction. Shannon explored poignant excerpts from Nabokov’s Speak, Memory as well as James Joyce’s Stephen Hero. This Masterclass offered participants the opportunity to think deeply about genre, recall, and style, and we thank Shannon for his generosity and time in preparing and delivering this thought-provoking and generative Masterclass.