1. Scandal at the festival  Writers’ festivals have mushroomed in Australia in the last twenty years or so, with festivals big, small and in between, general or themed, held in every state and territory and in cities and country towns. It seems the public appetite for these events only grows; and speaking at festivals is an inescapable part of any writer’s calendar these days. Internationally, writers’ festivals are also growing, and not only in the “usual suspect” areas; from Bali to Slovenia, all kinds of places are getting in on the act. Writers’ festivals are generally serious and polite affairs,…