WA writer Michelle Johnston’s book Dustfall will featured at a global literature festival.

WA will get the rare opportunity to showcase its writing talent – and its patchy public health record – during an online writing festival today (Saturday February 5).

WA author Michelle Johnston’s book Dustfall will be the focus of the local stage of LitFestBergen when it kicks off at 9pm. Published in 2018, the novel was inspired by the Pilbara town of Wittenoom, where workers and residents were knowingly exposed to life-threatening amounts of blue asbestos.

Appropriately, LitFestBergen’s theme this year is Dust.

Johnston said the festival was an incredible opportunity WA stories and their writers.

“Traditionally it hasn’t been easy to get international exposure for Western Australian authors, despite our plethora of talent,” she said.

“It’s an honour to be able to reach out beyond our backyard.”

Writing WA CEO Sharon Flindell said Dustfall was the perfect choice for the 2022 lit fest.

“This novel is about those decisions and often mistakes that directly impact public health,” Ms Flindell said.

“Literature remains one of the most important ways for humans to understand ourselves and the world we live in and there’s never been a more critical time for that endeavour.”