Memoirist Ailsa Piper (Sinning Across Spain, The Attachment) describes her latest offering, For Life, as a tale of living, dying and flying, but it is also about swimming, noticing, favourite words, friendship, and finding a home. Written in prose that is both luminous and illuminating, For Life shifts from dark to light as Ailsa reflects on her experiences of loss and recovery. In conversation with celebrant and award-winning author of Eulogy Dr Jackie Bailey, she discusses ritual, belonging and the joys of dictionary definitions.

About Ailsa Piper

Ailsa Piper’s latest book is For Life – a celebration of the glories of nature, and of being alive while maintaining awareness of our mortality. Her first book was the travel/walking memoir, Sinning Across Spain, and her second was The Attachment: Letters From A Most Unlikely Friendship, co-authored with Tony Doherty. Her theatre script, Small Mercies, was co-winner of the Patrick White Playwright’s Award. She has written for Griffith Review, the SMH and the Guardian, among others, and is also an accomplished audiobook narrator and literary interviewer. Ailsa is a passionate walker and a year-round swimmer.

Instagram: @ailsapiper

Website:⁠ ailsapiper.com⁠

Buy For Life: ⁠https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Ailsa-Piper-For-Life-9781761470868⁠

ⓘ True Story Festival info + tickets

True Story Festival 2025 is on November 15-16 at Coledale Community Hall. For more info go to: ⁠https://southcoastwriters.org/true-story-festival⁠

Super Early Bird Tickets for True Story Festival 2025 are available now at: ⁠https://events.humanitix.com/true-story-festival-2025⁠

The South Coast Writers Centre acknowledges the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we offer our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Credits

Recorded by Two Heads Media

Curated by Caroline Baum, Sarah Nicholson (South Coast Writers Centre) & Genevieve Swart

With thanks to The Illawarra Flame

The South Coast Writers Centre acknowledges the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we offer our respect to elders past, present and emerging.