2024 South Coast Readers & Writers Festival
From the 13th to the 14th of July 2024, the South Coast Writers Centre held their third annual South Coast Readers and Writers Festival. Featuring over twenty sessions with industry experts and acclaimed writers – both local and from afar – it was a celebration of the thoughtfulness, creativity and enjoyment found in storytelling.
Preliminary festivities began on Friday the 12th with a writing workshop on classic storytelling. Taught by historical fiction author Siobhan O’Brien, participants learnt about breaking a novel into parts and using the ancient Greek story archetypes as a guide when writing.
Then, the festival officially kicked off on Saturday with a welcome address by Wollongong’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, Aunty Barbara Nicholson. This was swiftly followed by sessions discussing the Gaza conflict, First Nations poetry, family dynamics in contemporary Australia, the publishing industry, writing about current affairs, the modern reinventions of fairytales, Bri Lee’s debut novel The Work, writing about war fiction and Alana Valentine’s personal story of the Wayside Chapel. The day was crowned with an all-female poetry reading presented by Red Room Poetry.
However, while all these sessions were presented for adults, the region’s young writers were not forgotten. Middle-graders could hear Liv Lorkin read an excerpt from Sage and the Journey of Grief, while young adults could listen to Helena Fox describe her writing process and participate in a short workshop around ‘writing what you know.’
Sunday was yet another full day. The program featured conversations about our connection with water, crafting authentic historical voices, writing crime fiction, workshopping pieces with others, writing music, investigating the crimes of the Anglican diocese of Newcastle, Catherine McKinnon’s To Sing of War, the shape of justice in fiction and the legacy of the classics. The afternoon also saw the book launch for local journalist-now-author Mitch Jennings and his debut crime novel A Town Called Treachery.
‘The wonderful programming showed the diversity of the written word - everything from poetry to reportage and fairy tales to First Nations writers. Loved the focus on local authors - this is really what the Writers Centre does well…And such a good group of volunteers. Bravo!’
‘The festival was intimate enough to feel inspired, step out into the sun, and soak in the amazing talents we have in the local community. It felt like we really got a chance to meet some of the authors during the signing.’
‘The quality of the speakers and the diversity of cultures was the best part of the festival.’
‘Fantastic programming! Good to see more UOW staff in the program. I enjoyed the new venue and organisation was extremely smooth and friendly. The wristband system worked well and ticketing was so much easier this year. I also Loved Aunty Barb’s Welcome!’
‘‘It was an insightful weekend listening to the authors share their experiences and stories of how they wrote their books and the techniques and motivation for writing.’
‘I liked the name change for this year's festival as it makes it clear you don’t have to be a writer to come along.’
The 2024 South Coast Readers and Writers Festival was the biggest one yet and couldn’t have been done without its supporters. The SCWC would like to thank Collins Booksellers Thirroul, the NSW State Government, Open Book, Red Room Poetry, Wollongong City Council and the University of Wollongong.
And, finally, to all the authors and attendees: thank you! You are what makes the festival happen.
Until 2025!
Be involved next year!
Want to be involved in next year’s festival? Let us know through the form below.