Hosted by Emilie Zoey Baker and Marieke Hardy with Osher Günsberg, Vijay Khurana, Cadance Bell, Bebe Oliver and Virginia Trioli.
Celebrating words, stories, and human experiences, Better Off Said is an evening of words it’s time to air; thoughts and reflections for the living and dead. At one time or another, we all find there was something we wish we’d shouted aloud, someone out there in the world waiting to hear an important message, a piece of history we feel our voice could have improved. Better Off Said offers the opportunity to leave no verbal stone unturned. To find closure. To sing truth from the rooftops before it’s too late.
Four guests will speak to the phrase, "the words I wish I’d said", and one special guest will deliver a Living Eulogy, to someone or some thing still of this Earth, to celebrate the best in our lives while we're here to hear it. Audiences will then be treated to a rare musical performance by poet and classical pianist Bebe Oliver.
From members of the team behind international literary phenomenon Women of Letters, Better Off Said has featured at writers’ festivals around the country, with regular events in Melbourne, and an incredible back catalogue of talent.
Emilie Zoey Baker is an award-winning poet and performer. She was a Fellow at the State Library of Victoria, poet-in-residence at Museums Victoria, and the winner of the Berlin International Poetry Slam. Emilie slam poetry in schools around the world and is the founder and creative director of OutLoud, Australian Poetry's Victorian youth slam competition.
Marieke Hardy is a curator, screenwriter, artist and producer. She has penned columns for The Age, The Drum and Frankie magazine, and written for many television shows. Marieke’s ABC comedy series, Laid, was the winner of several awards and recently adapted for the US market. She was co-curator of international literary salon Women of Letters and was a regular panellist on the ABC's Book Club for 11 years.
Osher Günsberg is one of the most recognisable people in Australian media, from radio, to music television, seven seasons of Australian Idol and the host of The Bachelor and The Masked Singer. Osher is also a passionate advocate for climate action and mental health, both explored in his bestselling book Back, After the Break, and his latest work So What? Now What?, a mental health toolkit presented as a graphic novel in collaboration with artist Campbell Walker (aka Struthless).
Vijay Khurana’s debut novel, The Passenger Seat, was shortlisted for the Novel Prize and was published by Ultimo Press in 2025. His short stories and essays have appeared in The Guardian, The Griffith Review, The Erotic Review, Big Issue and The Believer, among others. Vijay has also been a presenter on triple j and has published a children's chapter book, Regal Beagle.
Cadance Bell is an author, filmmaker and bogan philosopher. Her critically acclaimed memoir The All of It: A Bogan Rhapsody was shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year, and her debut fiction Letters to Our Robot Son could be ripped from today’s headlines as readily as tomorrow’s, with its big-hearted exploration of artificial intelligence, robotics, found families and above all hope.
Bebe Oliver is a Bardi Jawi wordsmith, award-winning poet, author and illustrator. His debut poetry collection more than these bones hit hard and hugged harder, winning praise for its raw beauty, and his second collection if this is the end was published in 2024 to similar acclaim. Living on Kulin Country, he is the Deputy Chair of Magabala Books and the Artistic Director & CEO of Blak & Bright.
Virginia Trioli is a two-time Walkley Award winner, presenter of Creative Types on ABC TV and the Weekend Reads columnist. She is a former co-host of ABC News Breakfast and host of Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne. Her latest book, A Bit on the Side, is an ode to joy, filled with wisdom, stories, memories and recipes, all told with her renowned insight and wicked sense of humour.
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Better Off Said is included in Platinum & Gold Weekend Passes.
Subject to availability, a limited number of single tickets may become available 19 August.
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This venue is wheelchair accessible, but please visit our Accessibility page or email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au if you have any other accessibility requirements.