Arnold Zable is an acclaimed writer, novelist, storyteller, and human rights activist, and the recipient of the 2021 Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature. His books include Jewels and Ashes, Cafe Scheherazade, The Fig Tree, Scraps of Heaven, Sea of Many Returns, Violin Lessons, The Fighter and most recently, The Watermill. His works range from fiction to non-fiction, memoir, short story, radio documentary, news features, essays, works for theatre, and poetry. He has a doctorate from the School of Creative Arts, Melbourne University and has lectured widely on literature, human rights issues, and the art of story, both in Australia and internationally. His awards include the 2013 Voltaire Prize for human rights activism, the 2017 Australia Council Fellowship for Literature, and a range of Premiers’ awards. He is the immediate past president of PEN International Melbourne, and its current patron.
