EVENTS

Jaclyn regularly moderates events at writers festivals, literary organisations like The Wheeler Centre and Writers Victoria, as well as bookshops. She gives author talks about gardening and making pasta at libraries, community centres and food stores. Jaclyn also runs gardening workshops for children. She is regularly on ABC Radio reviewing books and making reading recommendations.

Veronica Sullivan, Head of Programming,
The Wheeler Centre

“Jaclyn Crupi is one of my favourite people to program. Whether speaking with debut local writers or high-profile international guests, the hallmarks of Jaclyn’s interviewing style are her genuine warmth and passion for all things literary and/or culinary. Jaclyn invariably brings impeccable readerly acumen, wise and curious engagement with books, and infectious enthusiasm to every event she hosts.”

Jennifer Down, Miles-Franklin Award winning author of Bodies of Light

“Jaclyn is a shrewd and empathetic reader – traits that make her an excellent interviewer. Whether in conversation with Jaclyn myself, or watching her speak with another writer, I always feel I’m in the safe hands of someone who wants to share her passion and her intellectual curiosity with the reading public. She knows my books better, I suspect, than I do.”

Natalie Paull, Beatrix Bakes

“It’s an immense delight to be interviewed by Jaclyn. As soon as you are ushered through the discussion doorway with her generously flattering and impeccably researched introduction, the chat is like you are sitting with a close friend! Jaclyn makes you feel comfortable being yourself, encourages a giggle (or several) and gives you room to explore deeper emotions. She is a confident and charismatic conduit of conversation. ”

Sarah Krasnostein,  multi-award winning author of The Trauma Cleaner and The Believer

“The depth of her reading and the breadth of her thinking make Jaclyn a rare and wonderful interviewer. Our conversation back in 2018 remains, for me, a highlight of my writing career.”

Upcoming Events

  • International Women’s Day Lunch with the CWA

    Friday 7 March, 12pm
    BARWON HEADS COMMUNITY CENTRE

    Together with the Country Women's Association of Barwon Heads we're delighted to invite you to an International Women's Day Lunch at the Community Hall. 

    We have three extraordinary guests this year: Stephanie Alexander, Natalie Paull & Jaclyn Crupi.

    In the spirit of the CWA we ask you to bring a plate (to serve 4-6 people) and a bottle of wine to share, as well as your own plate, cutlery and a cup. We will provide the tables and chairs, amazing company and a fabulous afternoon.

    Stephanie, Natalie and Jaclyn's books will be available to purchase, with signings to follow the lunch.

    All ticket proceeds will go to Common Ground Project, a local regenerative farm and social enterprise.

  • Autumn in the Productive Garden

    Saturday 22 March, 10.30am
    COLLINGWOOD LIBRARY

    Autumn is a wonderful time in the productive garden. The soil needs to be replenished and improved after those hungry summer crops and there's just enough warmth to get winter veggies growing quickly. Autumn gardening jobs include soil improvement, making liquid fertilisers, gathering fallen leaves for mulch, pruning fruit trees, making leaf mould, planting brassicas, broad beans, lettuce and so much more. It's a great time to tidy and organise the shed or seed bank. Jaclyn Crupi learnt about gardening from her frugal and practical nonnos and is ready to pass on their wisdom and sage advice so you too can garden like a nonno.

  • Generation Women

    Wednesday 26 March, 7pm
    HOWLER BRUNSWICK

    "My Shero: Stories of female role models, mentors and the women who inspire us"

  • Sorrento Writers Festival

    Wednesday April 23 to
    Sunday April 27
    SORRENTO

    Thrilled to once again be moderating various sessions at this glorious festival.

    A Writer’s Life

    Ben Shewry in Conversation

    Food as Solace

    From Mashed Peas to Smashed Peas

    I Grow, I Cook, I Eat: In Praise of the Veggie Patch

  • Jane Austen, her literature and her legacy

    Saturday 10 May, 5.15pm
    MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE

    In-between performances, from 5.15pm, join iconic Melbourne book editor, event moderator and bookseller, Jaclyn Crupi for a discussion about Jane Austen; her literature and her legacy.

    It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is a literary luminary. Austen’s razor-sharp social commentary, astute character studies and sparkling dialogue resonate across generations.

    There is no charm equal to the world that Jane Austen has created through her words, where timeless tales of love and society’s intricacies collide with melodies that transcend centuries. Austen’s words have left an indelible mark on literature, and her influence extends beyond the pages of her books, shaping films, television adaptations, art and of course, music.

    Just as Caroline Bingley exclaims in Pride and Prejudice ‘there is no enjoyment like reading!’, here at Melbourne Recital Centre we feel the same about music. That is why we have curated a glittering selection of music from some of the greatest films of Jane Austen’s works, music from the Austen era, and music she refers to and reflects on in her writings.

    Dress as your favourite Jane Austen character and immerse yourself in gorgeous music from Jane Austen’s world including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, plus delightful works by Mozart, Beethoven and Purcell.

  • Grow Food, Improve Soil, Save Seeds

    Sunday 18 May, 11am
    SOUTH SIDE FESTIVAL

    Learn all about productive gardening from local gardener and author Jaclyn Crupi. Winter is a wonderful time in the productive garden. The soil and plants might be at rest but that doesn't mean you have to be. It's time to get stuck into some winter gardening jobs including soil improvement, making liquid fertilisers, creating a hot compost system, making seed tape, overwintering summer vegetables, setting up a simple greenhouse, caring for garden tools and preserving some winter fruit and vegetables. Winter gardening sets up successful and productive spring and summer in the garden! In this workshop you'll also learn important seed knowledge so you too can have a large seed bank to use in your own garden and to share with other local gardeners through the seed library at Frankston Library. Saving seeds is easy to do and the seed you save from your own garden will be fresher and adapted to local conditions. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as seasoned green thumbs. So come along and learn how to grow food, improve soil and save seeds!

  • Pasta Love Author Talk and Pasta-Making Demonstration

    Wednesday 20 August, 2pm
    VERMONT SOUTH LIBRARY

    According to Jaclyn Crupi – a proud Italian-Australian pasta maker and devotee – pasta is love, pasta is life. Pasta can be a quick and simple meal or a culinary masterpiece, but in essence it is about generosity, comfort and the beauty to be found in simplicity. Her book Pasta Love is a celebration of pasta and the people who make it. Join Jaclyn to learn how to make fresh pasta at home and how to improve your dried pasta dishes (unlock the secrets of starchy salty pasta cooking water). Hear stories of the incredible pasta nonne (Italian grandmothers) Jaclyn has been making pasta with and learn their pasta-making ways. Jaclyn will demonstrate how to make a semola rimacinata flour and water pasta dough and then shape it into cavatelli, orecchiette, fusilli al ferretto, lorighittas and many more pasta shapes. So if you’re keen to give pasta making a go, or you just love all things pasta, this is the event for you.

PAST EVENT

New York Times-bestselling author Sloane Crosley was live in conversation with Jaclyn Crupi exploring the sharp comic edges of reality, writing the surreal and the fear of running into your ex. 

Jaclyn in conversation with Sloane Crosley

Sloane Crosley in a blue and white jumpsuit with Jaclyn in a black dress holding Cult Classic

Jaclyn has four author talks based on her book Garden Like a Nonno: Soil and Seeds, The Winter Productive Garden, The Autumn Productive Garden and The Spring Productive Garden. In each talk she shares wisdom and gardening knowledge taught to her by her grandfathers.

PAST EVENT

Jaclyn in conversation with Stephanie Alexander

Stephanie Alexander in a long red dress speaking to Jaclyn in a long black dress

Hear Stephanie Alexander reflect on her unparalleled five-decade career as a cook, writer and restaurateur, and the legacy she has built for generations of professionals and amateurs in kitchens around the country.

PAST EVENT

Jaclyn moderated several panels at the inaugural Sorrento Writers Festival and interviewed Chris Hammer, Sofie Laguna, Megan Rogers, Andre Dao, Saman Shad, Pirooz Jafari, Armando Lucas Correa, Joelle Gergis, Sam Vincent and Simon Holmes a Court.

Sorrento Writers Festival

Jaclyn on stage at Sorrento Writers Festival with Sofie Laguna in floral dress, Chris Hammer in a white shirt and Megan Rogers in a red long dress

PAST EVENT

Over a seasonal lunch prepared with Indigenous Australian ingredients, a panel of culinary superstars met at Big Esso to discuss their approaches to cooking and sharing food, and the intersections and impact of multiculturalism, immigration and First Nations cuisine on Australian food culture. Inspired by Griffith Review: A Matter of Taste, the event featured Mabu Mabu owner and head chef Nornie Bero and author and broadcaster Alice Zaslavsky with host Jaclyn Crupi.

On the Table: A Matter of Taste

Jaclyn speaking into a microphone with Nornie Bero and Alice Zaslavsky looking on. Alice and Nornie wear blue jumpsuits and Jaclyn wears a pink floral dress.

PAST EVENT

Super Bloom: Jaclyn in conversation with Jac Semmler

Jaclyn Crupi visits Heartland, the home garden of Jac Semmler, author of Super Bloom: a field guide to flowers for every gardener to talk gardening, beauty, the book and of course maximum flowers in a special one off podcast.

PAST EVENT

Jaclyn in conversation with Anna Krien and Favel Parrett

For October’s Double Booked Club, we’ll hear from two acclaimed Australian authors, whose new works of fiction take readers to distant corners of the globe … and back again.

Jaclyn, Favel Parrett and Anna Krien on stage at The Wheeler Centre

PAST EVENT

Jaclyn has programmed and hosted many events at Hill of Content Bookshop

The Writers on the Hill event program began in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength. Authors interviewed include Sarah Krasnostein, Helen Goh, Chloe Hooper, Laura Elizabeth Woollett, Jennifer Down, Paul Kelly, Alice Robinson, Guy Grossi, Jane Lopes, Charlotte Wood, David Holmgren, Kirsten Bradley, Nick Ratar, Belinda Jeffery, Natalie Paull, Scott Pickett, Lesley Harding and Kendrah Morgan.

Jennifer Down and Jaclyn Crupi sitting in front of a bookshelf smiling and talking to an audience. Jennifer wears a gingham dress and Jaclyn wears a patterned dress.
Jaclyn, Favel Parrett and Anna Krien standing in front of a window and smiling
Chloe Hooper and Jaclyn Crupi on stage at Hill of Content Bookshop
Charlotte Wood and Jaclyn Crupi on stage at Hill of Content Bookshop
Jaclyn Crupi and Cara Waters in conversation at Queenscliffe Writers Festival
Helen Goh and Jaclyn Crupi on stage at Hill of Content Bookshop
Jaclyn holding her books Nonna Knows Best and Garden Like a Nonno
Nick Ritar, Kirsten Bradley and Jaclyn Crupi on stage at Hill of Content Bookshop Milkwood
Alice Robinson and Jaclyn Crupi speaking to audience at Hill of Content Bookshop
Jaclyn Crupi and Cara Waters at Basils Farm

Jaclyn was interviewed by The Age journalist Cara Waters at Basils Farm as part of Queenscliffe Writers Festival

PAST EVENT

This lunch event sold out in record time. Diners enjoyed Italian dishes, some of them from recipes in Jaclyn’s books, and good conversation about the Italian art of living well.

PAST EVENT

Soil and Seeds
The Winter Productive Garden
The Autumn Productive Garden
The Spring Productive Garden

  • “Jaclyn is a genius at the art of conversation and makes each session an intimate, incisive, life-affirming exploration of the highs and lows of Australian life.”

    Chloe Hooper, multi-award winning author of The Tall Man,
    The Arsonist and Bedtime Story

  • “My interview with Jaclyn was the highlight of my book tour. It was a magical event, where I felt safe to be vulnerable with the audience, everyone in attendance was so engaged, and collectively we all just had a blast. I’m looking forward to working with her again for my second book!”

    Jane Lopes, Master Sommelier and author of Vignette and How to Drink Australian

  • “Today has been one of the best panel discussions I’ve been a part of and it’s all thanks to Jaclyn's amazing skill in creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”

    Pirooz Jafari, Miles-Franklin award longlisted author for Forty Nights