Inspired by the research that links literary fiction with improved empathy, six Australian writers debate the proposition: Reading literary fiction improves empathy.

We are pitting literary fiction against genre fiction in this debate.

On the affirmative Literary Fiction team: Linda Jaivin, Alec Patric and Heather Rose.

On the negative Genre Fiction team: Sami Shah, Maria Lewis and C.S. Pacat.

Three RN presenters will determine the winners of the debate: Amanda Smith from The Body Sphere, Rachel Carbonell from the Law Report, Alice Keath from The Live Set.