Some of Australia’s best-loved children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers will descend on Newstead on October 11 as the Newstead Young Writers Festival returns for a full day of creativity, stories and inspiration for young people and their families.
The festival will bring more than 20 professional writers, illustrators, artists and storytellers to central Victoria for a packed
program of workshops, conversations, storytelling and creative activities.
The Main Stage program includes a conversation with former Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin with Wild Things in Conversation, a Becoming a Writer panel with Gabrielle Wang, Ellie Marney, Suzanne Inglebrecht and Adam Wallace and acclaimed author-illustrators Ann James, Simon Howe and Lucinda Gifford will discuss how they weave pictures and words together.
There will also be a special First Nations Storytelling session featuring Uncle Rick Nelson, Aunty Maryline Nicholls and Bec Phillips, sharing stories and cultural knowledge from one of the world’s oldest continuing storytelling traditions.
Young writers can choose from more than 20 workshops covering everything from comics and graphic novels, drawing
and picture books to science fiction, crime writing, zines, character creation, diaries and storytelling.
Featured presenters include Trace Balla, Dee White, Penny Tangey, Bridget Farmer, Jasper Peach, Lachlan Walter, Amy Doak, Christie Nieman, Ella Mulvey, Simon Howe and many more.
Tickets are selling fast, with some workshops already sold out and other sessions close to capacity.
A Golden Ticket costs just $15 and gives school-aged writers entry to the festival and unlocks up to four free hands-on creative workshops for the day.
Adult general admission is $5, while children under five are free, making the festival an affordable day out for local families.
Festival Eve kicks off on Saturday October 10 at 6pm with a special Song Weaving songwriting workshop for teenagers with award-winning musicians Mo’Ju and Eliza Hull.
The festival will culminate in the announcement of the inaugural John Marsden Story Prize winners at 3.30pm.
Sunday October 11 10am – 4pm at Newstead Arts Hub, Central Victoria
www.newsteadyoungwritersfestival. com/tickets