Carolyn Swindell in conversation with Charlotte Wood

We Only Want What’s Best from debut Australian novelist Carolyn Swindell is an intense page-turner with a wry take on the world of children’s dance schools.

A tense morality tale, set entirely during a 16-hour flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, the book deliberates what crosses the line when it comes to art.

A dance mum herself and coming from a political background as an advisor to the Howard and Kennett Governments, Carolyn deftly explores class, power and exploitation through the microcosm of the dance world.

She was motivated by the court case of a Sydney dance-school teacher who was jailed for multiple child sex offences in 2016, as well as the contentious work of Australian contemporary art photographer Bill Henson which has fuelled discussions around child abuse, pornography and grooming.

‘I had to ask myself, what would I do if I was confronted with images that I found disturbing but was told they were art?’ says Carolyn. ‘Would I be brave enough to admit my ignorance?’

Hear her continue the discussion at The Royal Oak Balmain in conversation with one of Australia's most respected novelists, Charlotte Wood.

Attendees are asked to arrive at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Seating is unallocated – another reason to arrive early to secure an optimal spot. Why not make a full evening of it, too, by booking a meal at the Royal Oak before or after the event? One of Balmain's oldest and most loved pubs, it serves a delicious range of food and beverages.

We Only Want What’s Best will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with book signings from Swindell following the discussion.

If you miss out on a ticket, you can still watch the event as it is livestreamed from the Roaring Stories Facebook page (accessible on the Home page and from the Live tab). A recording will also be available to view later as an upload on the Roaring Stories YouTube channel.