Fierceland hero graphic

Join us for the launch of 'Fierceland' a globe-spanning epic of power and family secrets by the award-winning Omar Musa.

Presented by Hunter Writers’ Centre and The Lock-Up, as part of New Annual Festival

Key Information

Join us for the launch of Omar Musa’s Fierceland, a globe-spanning epic of power and family secrets. Featuring Bidayǔh artist Tiyan Baker, Omar Musa in conversation with Katherine McLean, and the latest exhibition at The Lock-Up.

When: Tuesday 30 September, 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Venue: The Lock-Up, 90 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Cost: Free – please register for tickets

About 'Fierceland'

After many years abroad, Roz and Harun return to Malaysian Borneo for the funeral of their father Yusuf – and to reckon with their inheritance. A renowned palm-oil baron during Malaysia’s economic rise, Yusuf built the family’s immense wealth by destroying huge tracts of rainforest. What his children know is that he was also responsible for the violent disappearance of a man who stood in his way.

Harun has become a successful tech entrepreneur in Los Angeles, Roz is an artist struggling to stay afloat in Sydney. Now they want to return something their father stole from the forests of their homeland. In their quest for redemption they grapple with the legacy of power and corruption, dreamers and exiles, thugs and zealots. Most dangerous of all, they are haunted – by the ghosts of colonialism, the ghosts of family, the ghosts of language, and the ghosts of the forest itself.

A trailblazing journey across the globe, Fierceland weaves the past and the present into an emotionally powerful family saga that plays out at a mythical scale.

Accessibility

The Lock-Up offers wheelchair access at the main entrance, accessible amenities, and designated disability parking.

Please email, call or text Katherine on 0435 858 145, or contact@hunterwriterscentre.org to discuss specific access requirements. 

Getting There

Public Transport: For specific routes and timetables, refer to Newcastle Transport’s official website. Newcastle Transport

By Car: There is limited parking on the street. Find nearby city carparks here.

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About Omar Musa

Omar Musa

Omar Musa is an author, visual artist and poet from Queanbeyan, Australia. He has released one novel, four books of poetry (including Killernova), five hip-hop records, and an acclaimed one man play, Since Ali Died. His work has appeared in The Best Australian Stories and Best of Australian Poems. His debut novel, Here Come the Dogs, was long-listed for the International Dublin Literary Award and the Miles Franklin Award. He won both first and second place in the 2025 Newcastle Short Story Award. He was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald’s Young Novelists of the Year in 2015. He has had several solo exhibitions of his woodcuts, including his most recent collection All My Memories Are Mistranslations. He is based between Borneo and Brooklyn.