Headland Writers Festival
Headland Writers Festival is a new literature event for the Far South Coast featuring conversations with authors, industry forums, workshops, performances, live music and more. Created in a partnership between South East Arts and the South Coast Writers Centre, the festival will feature a number of South Coast Writers Centre authors including Helena Fox, Julie Jansen, Rae Luckie, Alan Baxter and SCWC Director Sarah Nicholson. The festival will also include the launch of SCWC/South East Arts’ 2021 Olga Masters Short Story Award.
All writing workshops will take place in the Tathra Beach House.
Mary Cunnane
FRIDAY 14th May 10am - 3pm
Publishing School for Writers with Mary Cunnane
Former publisher, agent and advisor to ACT Writers’ Centre’s highly regarded HARDCOPY program, Mary Cunnane will demystify the publishing process for writers as it operates in Australia and internationally. How are books ‘signed’ up? What will a publisher do for an author? Do you really need an agent? What’s the best way to develop an effective book proposal? These are just some of the questions that will be answered in this one-day workshop. Drawing on her extensive experience as a publisher and a literary agent in the US and Australia, Mary Cunnane will provide up-to-date information and help participants navigate their way to representation and/or publication. Bookings here.
Julie Janson
SATURDAY 15th May 10am-12pm
‘How to start a novel - have no fear!’ with Julie Janson
A hands-on practical workshop about the craft of novel writing. How to: plan; write an outline; find a setting; create a winning title; write your first pages. The workshop is for new writers; experienced writers who want to start a new project; young and mature beginners.
Julie Janson has appeared at the 2021 Adelaide Writers Festival and the Bendigo Writers Festival. She is also booked for the Byron Bay Writer’s Festival 2021. Her new novel Benevolence published by Magabala and is about to be published by Harper Collins in the USA and UK. Bookings here.
Rae Luckie
SATURDAY 15th May 1pm-3pm
Family History/Memoir with Rae Luckie
This workshop will provide examples of how others have approached the task—from writing about dynasties, writing memoir or biography—or leaping to historical fiction. You will find a way to overcome the terror of the blank page; enhance your writing about people and places; and explore the delights, perils and pitfalls of publishing family stories.
Rae’s passion is working with those writing life stories—she is a current mentor for the Australian Society of Authors and has conducted life writing workshops throughout the state for the last twenty years. Rae is also a professional member of the Institute of Professional Editors and judged the biennial FAW Walter Stone Award for Life Writing from 2010 to 2018. As well as a doctorate in the field of life writing, Rae has a graduate diploma in Local, Family and Applied History, and is nearing completion of a Master of History based on the lives of her Irish great-grandparents. Bookings here.
Alan Baxter
SUNDAY 16th May 10am-12pm
Short Story Writing with Alan Baxter
Short story writing is a unique art form, often misunderstood. In this workshop, award-winning author Alan Baxter will cover the key aspects of powerful and engaging short stories, including the skills you need to develop, the pitfalls to look out for, and tips to find your short fiction voice. Attendees can expect to come away with a greater understanding of what makes a good short story and a confident path forward towards writing their own. The workshop will also include a chance for some hands-on writing exercises and plenty of time for Q&A to pick Alan's brain. Bookings here.