This year marks the 40th anniversary of Jeanette Winterson’s debut novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, a coming-of-age tale based on her upbringing by adoptive Pentecostal parents in 1960s Lancashire.

The novel quickly became a modern classic and had an extraordinary impact, especially for queer readers. With its unique voice and pioneering foray into autofiction, it was the start of a prolific career which spans 10 novels as well as children’s books, nonfiction and screenplays, including for the BAFTA-winning BBC adaptation of her first novel.

Join this celebratory event to hear Jeanette recount her writing life so far from the very beginning.

Follow the festival: #sydneywritersfestival