The author of Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe, will be unable to attend this year’s Perth and Adelaide Festivals due to the recent fires which have caused significant damage to his property and surrounding area in East Gippsland. Bruce has made the difficult decision to scale back his various commitments so he can focus on addressing the damage on his property and assist in the recovery efforts in his local community. Bruce sincerely apologises for the inconvenience this may cause. Bruce is grateful for the support he and his local community of Mallacoota have received from across Australia and around the world following the devastating bushfires.

Bruce Pascoe had been due to appear at the 2020 Adelaide Writers' Week both on Saturday 29 February for Salt, Sand and Saving the World, in conversation with Tyson Yunkaporta, and on Sunday 1 March in Speaking to the Next Generation as part of the Middle & Young Adult day.

Jo Dyer, Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week said:

"Whilst we are very disappointed that Bruce is no longer able to join us at Adelaide Writers’ Week this year, we completely understand his need to prioritise his community and the rehabilitation of his property.   It has been a sobering and unsettling start to the year and we know Bruce has been at the heart of the fire crisis.  He has our admiration and support and we hope he can join us in Adelaide in 2021."

Replacement speakers and sessions will be announced soon.