Newcastle Writers Festival online!

As I’m sure you will be aware, the Newcastle Writers Festival had to be cancelled this year, however the Festival is getting a second life online with 17 sessions from the original program happening virtually for anyone in the world to attend (no pants required).  Of course this is not the same as gathering together, but many of the sessions will be allowing for audience questions to be sent in, and guests include the likes of Behrouz Boochani, Clare Bowditch, David Leser, Favel Parrett and Charlotte Wood. My own session with Maria Tumarkin, Sophie Hardcastle, and Nicola Redhouse is on Sunday at 4pm (“Blurred Lines”) where, in the space of 45 mins, we will be talking about all sorts of things including the impact of past trauma on the present in their works, narrative as a way of controlling silence, the unique structures in their latest books, dispossession, the impact of the Coronavirus, and lots more!  Each of the authors also will be reading from their work.  Please come and join us, wherever you are! Sessions will be available via Facebook and YouTube all through the coming weekend and you can grab a program here: https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/storiestoyou/

The sessions will all be free (including those that previously had a cost to attend), but tax-deductible donations to the festival can be made at https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/.

Festival Season: Scone Literary Festival

The next festival on my calendar is the Scone Literary Festival.

I’m moderating a session on the 

14th of March 2.30pm-3.30pm in the Scone Arts & Crafts Hall titled "Misreporting and Cancer of Mistrust: Bodies and Lies of Science” with Patrice Newell, Julian Cribb and Garry Willgoose. 

This will be a powerful and timely conversation about the role of science communicators, the persistence of misinformation, how we mitigate and talk about the key existential threats that face humanity, the role of government, developing sustainable food systems, survival by respect, and much more. If you’re able, please join us! Day passes and weekend tickets are sold out, but individual tickets are still available here: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=576771&

Newcastle Writers Festival turns the page on a new era

The first chapter of what organisers expect to be an annual success story will be written in April when more than 50 Australian writers participate in the inaugural Newcastle Writers Festival. Many topics and literary genres, including crime, climate change, horror, romance, poetry and history, will be explored by some of this country’s best-known writers in a diverse range of mostly free events.

The weekend event, from April 5 to 7, will be launched at 11am on Wednesday, February 13, at the Lock-Up Cultural Centre, 90 Hunter Street, Newcastle by volunteer festival organiser and Newcastle Herald journalist Rosemarie Milsom. Sixteen ticketed events will be announced, as will the internationally acclaimed keynote speaker.

Milsom said the diversity of local talent and the overwhelmingly positive response to the festival showed that Newcastle was more than ready to boost its literary profile. “I've attended writers’ festivals in Australia and overseas, and always wondered why Newcastle didn't have its own event given the depth of creativity in the city and beyond,” she said. “If you are an avid reader, keen to learn more about the writing process, or enjoy a lively exchange of ideas, there will be something for you in the festival program.”

The event brings together a diverse range of contemporary writers and established literary leaders. Award-winning author Robert Drewe, local crime writers Jaye Ford and Barry Maitland, media commentator and author Jane Caro and ABC radio presenter Richard Fidler are among those who will be participating.
The Newcastle Writers Festival is funded by Newcastle NOW and Newcastle City Council and supported by the University of Newcastle, the Newcastle Herald and ABC 1233. Milsom is working in partnership with the Hunter Writers Centre director, Karen Crofts.

Events will be held at a number of inner-city venues, including The Lock-Up Cultural Centre, Noah’s on the Beach and Newcastle City Hall.

Media launch details
When: 11am, Wednesday, February 13 at The Lock-Up Cultural Centre, 90 Hunter Street, Newcastle.
Who: Local best-selling authors Jaye Ford (crime) and Deborah Challinor (historical fiction), NWF organiser Rosemarie Milsom and Newcastle NOW manager Michael Neilson attending.

PS, and just in case you're reading right down to the bottom, I will be participating in a big way, facilitating a number of sessions and doing a few readings too. This is going to be a wonderful event--I  hope you'll be able to join us!

Join in the eFestival of Words

I've been invited to participate in a panel on Dealing with Social Issues in Fiction at the eFestival of Words Virtual Book Fair. Since both of my novels, Sleep Before Evening and Black Cow are heavily rooted in social issues and the power of creativity to heal and transform these situations, this is a topic close to my heart and of course I said yes immediately. The panel is being held on Sunday August 19th at 5pm US EST and I'd love for you to join in.  There will also be a Q&A with me straight afterwards at 6pm in the chatroom.

The eFestival of Words is a free, virtual book fair designed to connect readers with authors and publishers of digital books. For fans of ebooks, this is an opportunity to scout out hidden treasures and interact with authors (loads of freebies, prizes and fun). For those readers new to digital books, this is a chance to learn more about the format and what it can offer.  There are lots of different panels, workshops, open author chats

According to Event Coordinator Julie Ann Dawson, “The goal of the eFestival of Words Awards is to highlight those independent authors and publishers that have worked to raise the bar in terms of the literary quality and production value and of digital books. Many people still think of ebooks as nothing more than scanned pages of print books. We hope that both the fair and the awards will help readers discover the amazing wealth of original content being produced in digital formats.”

Registration is easy. Just sign up at the efestivalofwords.com forum and you are all set! You must register for the site before August 17th in order to attend the fair.  Don't miss this one - I think it's going to be pretty special.