Author Jenn J McLeod spoke out in support of reading, libraries, book shops and Aussie authors on Wednesday while promoting a not-unconnected Border festival.

McLeod joined Albury mayor Kevin Mack in QEII Square to launch the program for the 2017 Write Around The Murray, September 13 to 17.

The five-day literary festival comprises author talks, writing workshops, performance events and children’s activities that include a schools program to about 1600 students in the region.

Joining McLeod in the line-up of more than 30 guests will be singer Christine Anu, wordsmith David Astle, sports journalist Angela Pippos and creators of the Little Lunch books Danny Katz and Mitch Vane.

Jason Steger from television’s The Book Club will host panel conversations while journalist Barrie Cassidy will present Insiders Live.

Cr Mack said this year’s theme – Illuminating! – was a relevant one, with important topics to be raised during the festival.

“Illumination is really critical in what we as a society have to deal with every day and the things we need to talk about now,” he said.

“Sexism, inequality on the sporting field and domestic violence are critical issues for us as a community that we need to deal with.”

McLeod, who is presently visiting Rutherglen, brought her home for the past three years, a seven-metre caravan named Myrtle the Turtle, to the launch.

She hoped her life as “a nomadic novelist” was helping to encourage a love of reading, remembering a woman who stopped at a book signing.

“She said, ‘Well, I’ve never read a book, but I’m going to buy one of yours because you’re sitting here’,” McLeod recalled. “So I thought ‘You know what? If I’ve just made a reader out of that lady, then my job is done’.

“We need literary events, large or small, because we need to make sure books and reading live on.

“Write Around The Murray festival is about recognising literary diversity in a delightful setting and with an unflustered feel of a small town.

“There are poets and publishers, scribes and songsters, commentators and creatives, famous faces and some festival favourites.”