The Brisbane writers festival is on very soon!

How adorable are these little mascots?

I think it would be pretty cool to see Mian Mian

Her first novel Candy, is officially blacklisted in China.

Her publisher says it's "a hip, harrowing tale of risk and desire, the story of a young Chinese woman forging a life for herself in a world seemingly devoid of guidelines. Hong, who narrates the novel, and whose life in many ways parallels the author's own, drops out of high school and runs away at age 17 to the frontier city of Shenzen. As Hong navigates the temptations of the city, she quickly falls in love with a young musician and together they dive into a cruel netherworld of alcohol, drugs, and excess, a life that fails to satisfy Hong's craving for an authentic self, and for a love that will define her."

More festival info here!