2023 South Coast Writers Festival
Over the weekend of the 18th to the 20th of August 2023 Wollongong hosted its literary celebration, the South Coast Writers Festival: a weekend filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring conversations.
With 24 sessions to choose from, and a festival line-up that featured stellar award-winning authors, talented new voices, and acclaimed poets, broadcasters, and thinkers, the South Coast Writers Festival program showcased the power of the written word and storytelling in all its forms.
“Programming was great. Variety of sessions was a real strength. Some great panel moderators. Good representation of diverse and emerging voices.”
“It was one of the best poetry evenings I have been too. The variety and quality of the poets was impressive and entertaining”
“The poetry event was the BEST!”
“The festival was well-organised and well-facilitated each day. The sessions I attended featured authors and publishers who were entertaining, informative, and generous with their experience. Many thanks to all involved.”
For festival opening night, award-winning writers Kate Holden and Caroline Baum discussed the books that have moved, inspired and stayed with them, with WellRead's Laura Brading. Singer-songwriter Kay Proudlove delighted with songs from her indie-folk show Dear Diary, and authors Joshua Lobb, Julie Janson, Hayley Scrivenor, Dominic Knight, plus festival director, Sarah Nicholson, read from literature they have an enduring crush on.
The second day of the 2023 South Coast Writers Festival featured a smorgasbord of sessions including Politics: thriller, horror or black comedy? Writing and Bodies, The Podcast, Artist Adelaide Perry, $18,000 per annum: what's going wrong (or right) in publishing?, Admissions, Hollywood, Space Opera, One Act, Crime Worlds, Belonging, Unearthing the Hidden Dark and, last but not least, Wollongong Poetry Month Showcase.
The third day of the festival hosted more unique sessions: Humour and heart: Bringing teens to life, Speculative Fiction, True Story: Everything and Nothing, History, Heritage and Home, In Conversation: The Writer at Work, Writing the Everywhen, Love, Loss and Lust and finally the SCWC + WAG Poetry Award 2023.
LISTEN ONLINE
The conversation between Sam Twyford Moore and Graham Thorburn on the history of Australian actors in Hollywood was recorded live at the festival and broadcast on Radio National’s Big Ideas program. Listen here.
The SCWF/Red Room Poetry Month Wollongong Showcase event was recorded live at the festival from The Music Room, you can view it via the link above.
A big thank you to our festival sponsor Creative Visions Print and Design
and to the Australia Council for festival funding support
Be involved next year!
Want to be involved in next years festival? Let us know through the form below.