2015 Festival Program 20-22 March Newcastle City Hall

2015 FESTIVAL PROGRAM 20-22 MARCH NEWCASTLE CITY HALL

newcastlewritersfestival.org.au 2 Newcastle Writers Festival 20-22 March 2015

Ticket Information

The Newcastle Writers Festival is committed to providing free sessions in its program. Tickets are not needed for these events. Seats are offered on a ‘first in, first served’ basis. Admission cannot be guaranteed for free events. All other tickets are available from Ticketek and can be bought over the counter, online at www.ticketek.com or by contacting the box office on (02) 4929 1977. Please note, the advertised ticket price includes Ticketek’s service fee but unless you buy your tickets over the counter, the sale will incur an additional delivery fee. Tickets at the door will be limited. There is no concession price.

Session Information

Latecomers will not be permitted entry. Sound and video recording is not permitted without approval from the festival director. Please email: [email protected]. At the conclusion of each session, ALL seats are to be vacated. This enables sound and stage staff to set up for the following session. Entry will not be permitted until 10 minutes before the start of each session.

Transport Information

The festival is held in Newcastle’s City Hall, within the Civic Precinct, which is close to bus links and the bustling Honeysuckle and Darby Street eatery strips. Please note, the rail line has been cut at Hamilton Station and passengers cannot alight at Civic or Newcastle stations. Buses are available at Hamilton Station for transfers to the city. For updates about track work and for timetable information see www.sydneytrains.info. For bus timetables see www.newcastlebuses.info. Newcastle Taxis bookings can be made by phone 133 300 or online at www.newcastletaxis.com.au. You are encouraged to leave your car at home, as parking will be difficult. There are a handful of parking stations within walking distance of the festival venue. For more details see www.huntercarparks.com.au and www.wilsonparking.com.au. Level 2 - City Hall Ground Floor - City Hall

Level 2 - City Hall Ground Floor - City Hall Second LevelSecond

Venue Information

Newcastle City Hall, King Street, is the festival hub and the majority of NEWCASTLE events are held here. There is wheelchair access via Wheeler Place and ROOM there is an internal lift. If you require assistance, please email admin@ newcastlewritersfestival.org.au and the festival can arrange for a NEWCASTLE volunteer to be available. ROOM The main information desk is located at the entrance to City Hall and is staffed by volunteers. Programs and session information are available.

Level 1 - City Hall Lower Ground Floor First Level Disabled access via Wheeler Place Level 1 - City Hall Banquet Room: MacLean’s Booksellers festival bookshop. Authors will be available for signings at the conclusion of their sessions. Refreshments are available for purchase and communal seating is also located here. Newcastle Room: Green Room for festival guests. Unauthorised persons not allowed. Waratah Room: Volunteers’ hub. Level 2 - City Hall Ground Floor - City Hall First Level Lower Ground Floor Concert Hall: At the top of the staircase Mulubinba Room: To the left of staircase Cummings Room: To the right of staircase Toilets are also located on this level.

Second Level NEWCASTLE Hunter Room: Wheelchair access available ROOM

Level 1 - City Hall 3

FROM THE DIRECTOR

I should not have been surprised when last year’s opening campaign, and the tension between free speech and hate night guest, the inimitable Wendy Harmer, detoured speech. dramatically from the brief. Rather than talking about her The festival is committed to supporting local writers life’s journey with books, she had the audience in stitches and there are a number of events, many of which are with her passionate defence of ‘chick-lit’. But before the free, that showcase the diverse talent in the region. For belly laughs, Wendy presented her insightful observations those interested in advancing their own writing there about the ever-growing appeal of writers festivals. are opportunities to learn more. You will also note that “When you look at the topics on offer for discussion at the festival program begins on Friday and includes the writers’ festivals, which run the gamut of the political, final events of the week-long kids program. Aimed at cultural, fantastical and myriad matters psychological secondary school students, the morning sessions feature and philosophical – no wonder they are bringing in the Melina Marchetta and Garth Nix, as well as three local crowds, all eager for something more nourishing than the writers – Claire Dunn, Wendy James and Ed Wright. Rosemarie Milsom current arid political debate can provide.” Thank you to Newcastle Region Library staff for helping Wendy went on to touch on the importance of festivals to manage the kids program. to regional centres: “A town’s desire to pursue shared The Newcastle Writers Festival is built on a heartening passions, build social capital and even to re-brand its network of support – from our enthusiastic volunteers and identity. . . is to be celebrated, admired and supported. facilitators to funding partners. I extend my appreciation Regional communities know they are not defined by the to the festival’s key sponsors: City of Newcastle, University headline that their mine or factory is closing. They have so of Newcastle, and Newcastle NOW. And also to our media much more to offer.” partners: Newcastle Herald and 1233 ABC. In 2012 when I first approached key people with my idea I would also like to acknowledge a new sponsor, for the Newcastle Writers Festival, I was confident that Copyright Agency Limited and welcome back Hunter with funding and support the event would attract an Writers Centre. FOLLOW US #nwf15 audience. This knowledge didn’t settle my nerves or help MacLean’s Booksellers is once again managing the Facebook me sleep at night, but whenever I felt overwhelmed by festival bookshop and local company Scion Sound is also the enormity of the task, I would imagine a room full of facebook.com/ returning to ensure audiences hear every word. people, hungry for ideas and inspiration. newcastlewritersfestival I would also like to thank the festival board members for Why should we have to leave town to enjoy a writers their hard work and support: Jenny Blackford, Sally Ebert, Twitter festival? Support for this home-grown event has steadily Amy Hurrell, Sheree Kable, Katrina McKelvey, and Sharon @newwritersfest increased and I am grateful for the enthusiasm of festival- Roberts. goers. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to create this year’s This year’s line-up includes Helen Garner, Favel Parrett, program and I look forward to seeing you at Newcastle Instagram Bob Brown, Michael Robotham, and Les Murray. City Hall. Please say hello and don’t hesitate to give me @newcastlewritersfestival Discussion will traverse politics, the treatment of asylum your valued feedback. seekers, the need for optimism, the legacy of the Gallipoli Enjoy!

OPENING NIGHT

THE BOOK THAT CHANGED ME

7pm Friday, 20th March, 2015 Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall, King St Tickets $35 SPEAKERS HOSTED BY HOSTED Jessica Rudd Helen Garner Michael Robotham Caroline Baum GUEST GUEST MC James Valentine

Festival photography // Chris Patterson - Intervision Photography Festival design // Miranda Whittle 4 Newcastle Writers Festival 20-22 March 2015

FRIDAY 20 March

NEWCASTLE REGION NEWCASTLE REGION CITY HALL CONCERT HALL HUNTER ROOM LIBRARY THEATRETTE LIBRARY LOVETT GALLERY SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM 10.30am-4.30pm 10am-1pm 9.30am-10.30am 9.15am-10.00am WORKSHOP WORKSHOP

The Search for Identity Into the Wild Writing as Therapy Romancing the Page Melina Marchetta’s debut novel Claire Dunn, a Novocastrian, left With Claire Dunn and With Anne Gracie. Looking for Alibrandi provides her role as an environmental David Roland. See page 9 for details. insight into the life of a young campaigner and embarked on a See page 9 for details. person on the brink of adulthood. journey of self-discovery while Tickets: $65 Marchetta discusses the central living for a year in the bush in a Tickets: $115 Limited to 15 places theme of her award-winning book. self-made hut, the focus of her Limited to 15 places For Years 9 to 12. memoir My Year Without Matches. Tickets: $10 per student For Years 10 to 12. Bookings + enquiries: Tickets: $10 per student [email protected] Bookings + enquiries: [email protected]

11am-12pm 10.30am-12pm 11.00am-12.30pm

Creating New Worlds WORKSHOP CIVIC THEATRE Garth Nix talks about his in Newcastle Room bestselling books for children and young adults. He will tell stories and read from his work. Discover Your Voice Black Diggers For Years 7 to 12. A creative writing workshop for A performance of Queensland Theatre Company’s production, Black senior English students. Hosted Diggers, which centres on the experiences of Indigenous Australian Tickets: $10 per student. by Wendy James and Ed Wright, soldiers in World War I. For Years 9 to 12. Bookings + enquiries: this class will help you locate and [email protected] develop your distinctive creative Tickets: School groups $25 per student voice. Paper, pens and an untamed Bookings: Call 4974 2077 or download a form at www.civictheatre.com.au imagination required. (Limited to Non-school bookings via Ticketek. 30 students.) For Years 11 to 12. Tickets: $20 per student Bookings + enquiries: [email protected]

BY TOM WRIGHT One hundred years ago, about a thousand Indigenous Australians took up arms to fight in World War I. For them, battle on a Gallipoli beach was an escape from the shackles of racism at home. Black Diggers draws from interviews with the families of men who heard the call – men who now step from the blank pages of history to share their stories. 5

FRIDAY 20 March FESTIVAL PROGRAM

CITY HALL WORKSHOPS & HUNTER ROOM CUMMINGS ROOM MULUBINBA ROOM CONCERT HALL SPECIAL VENUES 12.30pm-1.30pm 12.30pm-1.30pm 12.30pm-1.30pm 12.30pm-1.30pm 1.30pm-2.15pm

Home & Away Reconstructing Forever Young Home Grown CIVIC THEATRE Former foreign minister a Life From the Award-winning YA writer An hour with Hunter Bob Carr discusses life on Archives Melina Marchetta in Region community Black Diggers the road and the journeys conversation with publisher Catchfire Press, A guide for writers of Director’s Talk that he regards as career Megan Buxton. including readings from biography with Christine Queensland Theatre highlights. the recent anthology, Bramble, highlighting use Company’s acclaimed Tickets: $22 Watermark. Hosted by Aaron Kearney. of World War I archives. artistic director Wesley Free session Enoch discusses the men Tickets: $22 Free session who inspired the play and the challenges of bringing their stories to life on stage. Tickets: Complimentary 2pm to 3pm 1.45pm to 3.15pm 2pm to 2.30pm with purchase of a school group ticket to the play. True Light and A Celebration of UNIVERSITY OF Shade Poetry From and NEWCASTLE Bookings: Call 4974 2077 PROFESSORS TALK or download a form from John Maynard discusses About the Hunter www.civictheatre.com.au an Aboriginal perspective Readings by poets who What empirical of convict artist Joseph feature in the wide- research is telling Lycett. ranging anthology, A Slow Hosted by Sarah Johnson. Combusting Hymn. us about creativity Free session Hosted by Jean Kent. and writing Free session With Assoc Prof Phillip McIntyre. Free session

3.30pm-4.30pm 3.30pm-4.30pm 3.30pm-4.30pm 2.45pm to 3.15pm

Verse by Verse: A Bringing the Strength in UNIVERSITY OF discussion about Past to Life: The Numbers: What NEWCASTLE narrative poetry. challenge of can a writing PROFESSORS TALK With Julie Chevalier, writing historical group do for you? The humanities in Jennifer Compton and fiction. With Lake Macquarie uncertain times Beth Spencer. Writers’ Group members With Robyn Cadwallader With Prof Roger Markwick. Hosted Judy Johnson. and Blanche d’Alpuget. Sue Matynia, Jan Mitchell and Lynda Visman. Free session Free session Hosted by Meredith Jaffě. Hosted by Terry Colling. Tickets: $22 Free session

5pm-6pm THE PRESS BOOK HOUSE - 462 Hunter Street Idea Bombing Newcastle In the era of digital media, how relevant are print publications? We are asking our audience to engage in the ‘idea bombing’ format with some of Newcastle’s prominent independent print media providers in an intimate environment. Featuring representatives from Newcastle Mirage, The Follower newspaper, White Magazine and 2hrs North. Coffee and sweets available. Free event. Idea Bombing Newcastle seeks to engage the community, foster creative ideas and promote ways of turning these ideas into reality. We aim to bring a uniquely Novocastrian flavour to creative exchange.

7pm-8.30pm OPENING NIGHT EVENT - Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall

The Book That Changed Me with Helen Garner, Jessica Rudd & Michael Robotham Hosted by Caroline Baum. ABC Radio’s James Valentine is the MC. Tickets: $35

All program information is correct at time of printing and some changes may occur without notice. 6 Newcastle Writers Festival 20-22 March 2015

SATURDAY 21 March

CITY HALL CONCERT HALL HUNTER ROOM CUMMINGS ROOM MULUBINBA ROOM WORKSHOPS & SPECIAL VENUES

10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-12.30pm

Keys to the Kingdom Across Cultures The World in a Glass DISCUSSION AND BOOK LAUNCH Nesca House, Cnr Auckland & King Sts Popular fantasy author Garth Nix talks Queensland Theatre Company’s acclaimed of Hunter Wine Not Your Typical Mothers’ Group to Magdalena Ball about his best-selling artistic director Wesley Enoch in conversation The Complex Art of Love Poetry The leaders of a significant University of When everything at home is chaotic and a glass Old Kingdom series and the key with Jill Emberson. with Anthony Lawrence Newcastle research project on the origins and of wine isn’t enough, a bad mother can always to his writing success. Writing love poetry that resonates with our Tickets: $22 impact of Hunter wine reveal the tall - and true - call an emergency meeting of The Bad Mothers’ readers and illuminates our concerns; that avoids Tickets: $22 tales swirling in your favourite drop. Club. As general secretary, Newcastle writer the pitfalls of sentimentality and cliche... to With John Germov, Julie McIntyre Annemarie Fleming has gathered a collection of achieve this we need to harness our writing skills and Jay Tulloch. minutes and shares them in her new book. and employ them with fierce observation and Free session Hosted by Christina Gerakiteys. Wesley concentration. Garth Nix Enoch Free session We will study some wonderful, wide-ranging examples of love poetry and discuss why they 11.30am-12.45pm 11.30am-12.30pm 11.30am-12.30pm 11.30am-12.30pm work. We will then begin work on a poem, moving through a couple of drafts. This will The Treatment of Asylum A Life Less Ordinary Newcastle Writ Large Beyond the Crime Scene involve individual writing time and a group Seekers: Australia’s Heart of Blanche d’Alpuget talks to Meredith Jaffe about Staff and students from the University of Best-selling crime writers P.M. Newton and workshop where Anthony will guide you through Darkness? her colourful writing career, including the life- Newcastle’s Creative Writing program read from Wendy James discuss what happens to victims a number of crucial, exciting stages. changing biography of works-in-progress, which are set in the grunge of crime and their families long after the This workshop is ideal for beginner writers but With Munjed Al Muderis, Aran Mylvaganam, Bob Hawke and her and gravitas of Newcastle. headlines have been forgotten. also for more experienced poets. David Manne, Georgina Ramsay, historical fiction. With Michael Sala, Amy Lovat Hosted by Megan Buxton. and Rosie Scott. Sponsored by the Tickets: $55 Tickets: $22 and Samantha Dagg. Hosted by Felicity Biggins. Uni of Newcastle’s Free session Limited to 12 places. School of Humanities Hosted by Keri Glastonbury. Free session & Social Science Free session Blanche d’Alpuget 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-4.00pm Bob Brown Reflects: ‘It is a The Thrill of It Romance is Not a Dirty Word Going it Alone AGOSTI ESPRESSO - 7 Darby Street fortunate life if a person feels Michael Robotham has said he was destined to It is the world’s highest-selling genre so why isn’t Navigating the complexities of self-publishing, The Big Launch more optimistic than ever write his 10th book Life or Death. He talks to Jaye Romance taken more seriously? both digital and print. With Greg Field, Join an impressive line-up of poets as they Ford about his enduring passion for pacy plots With Fiona McArthur, Kelly Hunter Nim Gholkar and Francesca Suters. before. That’s me.’ launch and read from their books. and suspense. and Anne Gracie. Hosted by Linda Drummond. Introduced by City of Newcastle councillor Order of appearance: John Stokes, Jean Kent, Tickets: $22 Hosted by Kaz Delaney. Free session Therese Doyle. Jennifer Compton, Jan Dean and Beth Spencer. Free session Tickets: $22 Free event

3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 6pm-7pm

Yes, Minister: What is driving the Travels in the Heart of Australia DISCUSSION AND BOOK LAUNCH The WIP Session THE PRESS BOOK HOUSE - 463 Hunter St popularity of the political novel? Don Watson talks to David Leser about The Newcastle-raised writer Marion Halligan Writing is a lonely pursuit. If you live in the Hunter BOOK LAUNCH With Paul Daley, Steve Lewis, Chris Uhlmann, Bush, the literary-historical odyssey that took discusses her new novel Goodbye Sweetheart and are busy with a project - novel, short story, Celebrate the launch of Newcastle poet Ivy and Jessica Rudd. him around the country. and her diverse writing life. memoir, poem, etc - come along and read from your work-in-progress and meet other writers. Ireland’s new collection, Porch Light. Hosted by Ed Wright. Tickets: $22 Hosted by Keri Glastonbury. Co-ordinated by Jacquie Svenson. Refreshments will be served. All welcome. Tickets: $22 Free session Register your participation at: Free event [email protected] and include WIP in the subject field. 4.30pm-5.30pm 4.30pm-5.30pm 4.30pm-5.30pm 8pm Free session CIVIC THEATRE Outward Bound Seeking Refuge From the Heart The significance of connecting with wild places, Fleeing Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime, Dr Women poets discuss inspiration, motivation, near and far. With Bob Brown, Claire Dunn and Munjed Al Muderis travelled to Australia via themes and the writing process. Black Diggers A Queensland Theatre Company production Favel Parrett. Indonesia in a boat laden with asylum seekers. With Melinda Smith, Jenny Blackford that tells the stories of the Indigenous men who Hosted by Phil Ashley-Brown. He talks to Carol Duncan about his extraordinary and Jean Kent. joined World War I battlefields. Tickets: $22 journey. Hosted by John Knight. Tickets: Tickets: $22 Free session $46 - A special rate for Newcastle Writers Festival 6pm-7pm ticket holders. The Lives of Others $56 - for non-NWF ticket holders. Award-winning writer Helen Garner spent eight years documenting the infamous case visit www.ticketek.com.au of Robert Farquharson, the father who drove his car into a dam, drowning his three young boys. She talks to Caroline Baum about the challenges of writing her highly acclaimed account, This House of Grief. Tickets: $25 Melinda Smith 7

SATURDAY 21 March

CITY HALL CONCERT HALL HUNTER ROOM CUMMINGS ROOM MULUBINBA ROOM WORKSHOPS & SPECIAL VENUES

10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-12.30pm

1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-4.00pm Bob Brown Reflects: ‘It is a The Thrill of It Romance is Not a Dirty Word Going it Alone AGOSTI ESPRESSO - 7 Darby Street fortunate life if a person feels Michael Robotham has said he was destined to It is the world’s highest-selling genre so why isn’t Navigating the complexities of self-publishing, The Big Launch more optimistic than ever write his 10th book Life or Death. He talks to Jaye Romance taken more seriously? both digital and print. With Greg Field, Join an impressive line-up of poets as they Ford about his enduring passion for pacy plots With Fiona McArthur, Kelly Hunter Nim Gholkar and Francesca Suters. before. That’s me.’ launch and read from their books. and suspense. and Anne Gracie. Hosted by Linda Drummond. Introduced by City of Newcastle councillor Order of appearance: John Stokes, Jean Kent, Tickets: $22 Hosted by Kaz Delaney. Free session Therese Doyle. Jennifer Compton, Jan Dean and Beth Spencer. Free session Tickets: $22 Free event

3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 6pm-7pm

All program information is correct at time of printing and some changes may occur without notice. 8 Newcastle Writers Festival 20-22 March 2015

SUNDAY 22 March

CITY HALL CONCERT HALL HUNTER ROOM CUMMINGS ROOM MULUBINBA ROOM

10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am

Les Murray: Waiting for the Past. The CNN Effect Beyond Memorials: The Novascapes: Readings by local One of Australia’s greatest poets reads from his The 24-hour news cycle and a seemingly complicated legacy of the writers who feature in the Hunter new volume of poems, Waiting for the Past. infinite number of online options mean that Gallipoli campaign. Region’s inaugural speculative consumers can get their news just about Introduced by festival director With Paul Daley, Carolyn Holbrook and fiction anthology. Rosemarie Milsom. anywhere. But are there winners and losers? John Maynard. Hosted by Cassandra Page. With Erik Jensen, Christina Koutsoukos and Tickets: $22 Hosted by Scott Bevan. Chris Uhlmann. Free session Tickets: $22 Hosted by Paul Scott.

Les Murray Free session

11.30am-12.45pm 11.30am-12.30pm 11.30am-12.45pm 11.30am-12.30pm

The View from the Top Art and Life Readings from ABC Open 500 Through the Eyes of a Child Award-winning journalist Geraldine Doogue Scott Bevan discusses his biography of William words project What inspires a writer to create a young discusses her book The Climb, which gets to Dobell, which centres on the artist’s Wangi ABC Open Hunter Producer Anthony Scully protagonist and what are the keys to making the heart of what it means to be a Wangi period. facilitates a reading of short stories by them convincing to the reader? woman in power in Australia. Hosted by Gavin Fry. selected contributors to the 500 Words project. With Brooke Davis and Favel Parrett. Hosted by Jill Emberson. Free session Free session Hosted by Courtney Collins. Tickets: $22 Tickets: $22

1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm The Big Read: Some of Australia’s Blurred Lines: Biography with This Writing Life Politics and Porkies: Sorting most respected poets take to a difference. Three diverse authors talk about their inspiration, fact from fiction. the stage. Erik Jensen and David Leser set out to write about motivation, and writing practice. With Steve Lewis, Dee Madigan, and Jane Caro. With Julie Chevalier, Jennifer Compton, Judy key figures, but found themselves inextricably With Brooke Davis, P.M. Newton Hosted by Paul Bevan. Johnson, Jean Kent, Anthony Lawrence, David entwined in the narrative. and Don Watson. Tickets: $22 Musgrave, Melinda Smith, and John Stokes. Hosted by Ed Wright. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom. Hosted by Linsay and John Knight. Tickets: $22 Tickets: $22 Free session

Brooke Davis

3pm-4.30pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm

DISCUSSION AND BOOK LAUNCH How I Rescued My Brain War of Words The Next Level: How to take When psychologist David Roland suffered Where, if at all, do we draw a line between free your writing from hobby to Radical Lives a stroke, doctors wrongly diagnosed a speech and hate speech? publication. To celebrate the launch of Radical Newcastle, breakdown. Amid the fallout, he took charge With Russell Blackford, Jane Caro and Practical tips from a Newcastle writers’ group. three Novocastrians discuss their experiences of his rehabilitation, which was anything but Tim Wilson of radicalisation. conventional. With Maree Gallop, Margaret Jackson and Hosted by Joe Mintoff. Aiden Walsh. With Vera Deacon, Daniela Heil and Hosted by Paul Bevan. Tickets: $22 Hosted by Jessie Ansons. John Maynard. Tickets: $22 Hosted by Nancy Cushing. Free session Free session

The University of Newcastle‘s Vice-Chancellor Caroline McMillen will officially launch Radical Newcastle. 9

SUNDAY 22 March WORKSHOPS

CITY HALL CONCERT HALL HUNTER ROOM CUMMINGS ROOM MULUBINBA ROOM Romancing the Page with Anne Gracie Friday, 20 March // 10am to 1pm // Tickets: $65 // Limited to 15 participants. 10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am 10am-11am LOVETT GALLERY, NEWCASTLE REGION LIBRARY Les Murray: Waiting for the Past. The CNN Effect Beyond Memorials: The Novascapes: Readings by local Romance is not a matter of simply following a formula; like all popular fiction it must delight and surprise readers. It is character-driven genre fiction and adding a thread of romance to a story in One of Australia’s greatest poets reads from his The 24-hour news cycle and a seemingly complicated legacy of the writers who feature in the Hunter another genre will extend the appeal of that book — if you do it well. new volume of poems, Waiting for the Past. infinite number of online options mean that Gallipoli campaign. Region’s inaugural speculative consumers can get their news just about Learn what readers and publishers want from a romance title. Anne will focus on plot construction Introduced by festival director With Paul Daley, Carolyn Holbrook and fiction anthology. and share tried and true devices to make sure your work is fresh and free from cliches. Learn how Rosemarie Milsom. anywhere. But are there winners and losers? John Maynard. Hosted by Cassandra Page. skilled writers create characters who pack an ‘emotional punch’ and have strong reader appeal. With Erik Jensen, Christina Koutsoukos and Tickets: $22 Hosted by Scott Bevan. Bring writing materials. Morning tea will be provided. Chris Uhlmann. Free session Tickets: $22 Hosted by Paul Scott. Anne Gracie is published by Berkley USA (PenguinPutnam) and Penguin Free session Australia and is working on her 17th book. She is a former president of Romance Writers of Australia, has twice won the Romantic Book of the Year (Australia) and the National Reader’s Choice Award (USA), 11.30am-12.45pm 11.30am-12.30pm 11.30am-12.45pm 11.30am-12.30pm is a five time finalist in the prestigious RITA Award (USA) and has twice been listed in Library Journal’s (USA) best books of the year. Anne Gracie www.annegracie.com The View from the Top Art and Life Readings from ABC Open 500 Through the Eyes of a Child Award-winning journalist Geraldine Doogue Scott Bevan discusses his biography of William words project What inspires a writer to create a young discusses her book The Climb, which gets to Dobell, which centres on the artist’s Wangi ABC Open Hunter Producer Anthony Scully protagonist and what are the keys to making the heart of what it means to be a Wangi period. facilitates a reading of short stories by them convincing to the reader? Writing as Therapy with Claire Dunn and David Roland woman in power in Australia. Hosted by Gavin Fry. selected contributors to the 500 Words project. With Brooke Davis and Favel Parrett. Friday, 20 March // 10.30am to 4.30pm // Tickets: $115 // Limited to 15 participants. Hosted by Jill Emberson. Free session Free session Hosted by Courtney Collins. NEWCASTLE REGION LIBRARY, THEATRETTE Tickets: $22 Tickets: $22 David and Claire wish to provide a gentle environment in which they explore ways of using writing to move through difficult emotions, integrate past events, and heighten positive experiences. Life writing creates narrative, and narrative can lead to resolution by turning the brain’s implicit memories into explicit ones. 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm 1.30pm-2.30pm Exercises will include James Pennebaker’s writing to heal exercises, journaling with a purpose, The Big Read: Some of Australia’s Blurred Lines: Biography with This Writing Life Politics and Porkies: Sorting narrative integration, self-compassion and gratitude exercises. Be prepared to spend a large part of the day writing and giving feedback about your writing process. most respected poets take to a difference. Three diverse authors talk about their inspiration, fact from fiction. Your level of writing skill is unimportant and there will not be pressure to read out what you have the stage. Erik Jensen and David Leser set out to write about motivation, and writing practice. With Steve Lewis, Dee Madigan, and Jane Caro. written. Please bring plenty of writing materials. You will leave this workshop with a bag full of key figures, but found themselves inextricably With Brooke Davis, P.M. Newton With Julie Chevalier, Jennifer Compton, Judy Hosted by Paul Bevan. new writing tools. Johnson, Jean Kent, Anthony Lawrence, David entwined in the narrative. and Don Watson. Tickets: $22 Please note: Afternoon tea will be provided, but you are advised to pack your lunch or take Musgrave, Melinda Smith, and John Stokes. Hosted by Ed Wright. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom. advantage of nearby eateries on Darby Street. Hosted by Linsay and John Knight. Tickets: $22 Tickets: $22 Claire Dunn is a writer, educator, barefoot explorer and journalist. She is a Free session Newcastle Herald columnist and writes regularly for The Sydney Morning Herald. Claire left her former role as an environmental campaigner and Dee Madigan embarked on a journey of self-discovery while living for a year in the bush, the subject of her memoir My Year Without Matches. www.clairedunn. 3pm-4.30pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm 3pm-4pm Claire Dunn com.au DISCUSSION AND BOOK LAUNCH How I Rescued My Brain War of Words The Next Level: How to take David Roland has a PhD in clinical psychology. He is an honorary associate When psychologist David Roland suffered Where, if at all, do we draw a line between free your writing from hobby to Radical Lives with the School of Medicine at the University of Sydney, a member of the a stroke, doctors wrongly diagnosed a speech and hate speech? publication. Australian Psychological Society, and a founder of the Australian branch To celebrate the launch of Radical Newcastle, breakdown. Amid the fallout, he took charge With Russell Blackford, Jane Caro and Practical tips from a Newcastle writers’ group. of the Compassionate Mind Foundation. His most recent book is How I three Novocastrians discuss their experiences of his rehabilitation, which was anything but Tim Wilson Rescued My Brain: A Psychologist’s Remarkable Recovery From Stroke With Maree Gallop, Margaret Jackson and David Roland of radicalisation. conventional. and Trauma. Hosted by Joe Mintoff. Aiden Walsh. With Vera Deacon, Daniela Heil and Hosted by Paul Bevan. Tickets: $22 Hosted by Jessie Ansons. John Maynard. Tickets: $22 Hosted by Nancy Cushing. Free session Free session The Complex Art of Love Poetry with Anthony Lawrence Saturday, 21 March // 10am to 12.30pm // Tickets: $55 // Limited to 12 participants The University of Newcastle‘s LEVEL 3, NESCA HOUSE, CNR AUCKLAND AND KING STREETS Vice-Chancellor Caroline McMillen will officially launch Radical Newcastle. Writing love poetry that resonates with our readers and illuminates our concerns; that avoids the pitfalls of sentimentality and cliche... to achieve this we need to harness our writing skills and employ them with fierce observation and concentration. We will study some wonderful, wide-ranging examples of love poetry and discuss why they work. We will then begin work on a poem, moving through a couple of drafts. This will involve individual writing time and a group workshop where Anthony will guide you through a number of crucial, exciting stages. This workshop is ideal for beginner writers but also for more experienced poets.

Anthony Lawrence has published 14 books of poems, the most recent being Signal Flare which was published in 2013 by Puncher & Wattman. His books and individual poems have won many major awards including the Josephine Ulrick Award, the Queensland Premier’s Award, the New South Wales Premier’s Award, the Newcastle Poetry Prize and the Gwen Harwood Memorial Award. He teaches at Griffith University, Gold Coast, and lives on the far north coast of New South Wales. Anthony Lawrence

All program information is correct at time of printing and some changes may occur without notice. 10 Newcastle Writers Festival 20-22 March 2015 Biographies The Art of Assessment. She also Christine Bramble runs a radio show, The Compulsive Now a freelance historian and Reader Talks. writer, Christine has been a teacher and museum educator. Author Paul Bevan of Sisters of the Valley: First World Paul Bevan has worked in radio for War Nurses from Newcastle and more than 25 years, producing and the Hunter Region and co-author of presenting current affairs programs. Broadmeadow to Villers-Bretonneux: For the past five years, Paul has People of the Hunter and the Great presented Drive for ABC 1233. Paul War, Christine is currently working on has an arts degree with honours from a biography of Matron Ida Greaves Munjed Al Muderis the University of Newcastle with a RRC. Her website, Great War Nurses Bob Carr major in psychology. He lives with his from the Hunter, was recently In 1999, Munjed Al Muderis was a family in Lake Macquarie. Bob Carr is a former Premier of New young surgical resident working in selected for archiving in Pandora. South Wales and a former Senator, Baghdad when a squad of military serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs. police marched into the operating Megan Buxton His most recent book, Diary of a theatre and ordered the surgical Megan Buxton is the president of the Foreign Minister, was published team to mutilate the ears of three Hunter Writers Centre. She taught in 2014 by NewSouth Books. His English in secondary schools for busloads of army deserters. That previous books are My Reading Life almost 30 years and has also taught day, Munjed’s life changed forever. (2008) and Thoughtlines (2002). He escaped to Indonesia, where at the University of Newcastle in the he boarded a filthy, overcrowded School of Education. Now retired Julie Chevalier she is able to indulge her love of boat, bound for Australia. Munjed Julie Chevalier writes poems and writing and reading; in particular, she is now one of the world’s leading short stories. Darger: His Girls, was is an avid, long-time reader of crime osseointegration surgeons. The awarded the Alec Bolton Prize and fiction. account of his extraordinary journey, Scott Bevan was shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Walking Free, was published in 2014. Poetry Prize. linen tough as history Scott Bevan trained as a journalist was also published by Puncher Jessie Ansons at the Newcastle Herald and & Wattmann. Permission to Lie, Jessie Ansons is a Newcastle graduated from the University a collection of short stories, was writer. Her short stories have been of Newcastle. He is a television published by Spineless Wonders. She published in three hard-copy books presenter and journalist for the ABC. is co-editor of Cracking the Spine, and five eBooks and she is currently He has written two plays and four Ten Australian Stories and How They working on her first novel. She blogs non-fiction books, including Battle Were Written, Small Wonder and at www.jessieansons.com. Jessie Lines: Australian Artists at War. His Stoned Crow (Spineless Wonders). placed second in the 2013 Newcastle most recent book is Bill: The Life of Herald Short Story competition. William Dobell. Courtney Collins Bob Brown Courtney Collins is a Newcastle Phil Ashley-Brown Felicity Biggins writer. Her debut novel, The Burial, Phil Ashley-Brown is the station Felicity Biggins began her career as Bob Brown is a former senator and parliamentary leader of the Australian was inspired by the life of female manager of 1233 ABC Newcastle. a journalist at the then Newcastle bushranger Jessie Hickman and has Greens. His new book, Optimism, is He has worked extensively as a Morning Herald in the late ‘70s. been optioned for a feature film by published by Hardie Grant. reporter and travelled with colleague After completing her cadetship and Pure Pictures. Her second novel will Geoff Overmyer to Casey Station, graduating with honours in Drama be published in 2016. Antarctica in December 2012. The at the University of Newcastle, she Robyn Cadwallader stories were broadcast on ABC moved to the UK, gaining an MA in Robyn Cadwallader has published numerous prize-winning short Jennifer Compton Local Radio nationally and on Radio Theatre Studies from the University Jennifer Compton is a Melbourne stories, as well as a book of poetry National. He published the blog of Leeds. Since returning to Australia poet and playwright who also writes and a non-fiction book based on her Summer on the Ice and found the in 1986 she has worked for a number prose. Her poem ‘Now You Shall PhD thesis concerning attitudes to experience of travelling to Antarctica of ABC radio programs and is now Know’ won the Newcastle Poetry virginity and women in the Middle exhilarating and life changing. a lecturer in communications at the Prize in 2013. A book of the same Ages. Formerly an academic at University of Newcastle. With her name was published by Five Islands Flinders University, she now lives husband playwright Carl Caulfield Press late last year. And Mr Clean near Canberra. Her debut novel, The she runs a small theatre company And The Junkie has just been Anchoress, is published in March and called Stray Dogs. published by Makaro Press. Her stage the publishing rights have been sold internationally. play The Death Of Books is awaiting Jenny Blackford development. Jenny Blackford’s poems and stories have been published in Westerly, Nancy Cushing Cosmos, Quadrant and more. Her Nancy Cushing is a co-editor of poetry prizes include first place in Radical Newcastle with James the Humorous Verse section of the Bennett and Erik Eklund. Now 2014 Henry Lawson awards, and third Caroline Baum a senior lecturer in History at place in the ACU Prize for Literature the University of Newcastle, she Caroline Baum is a well known 2014. In late 2013, Pitt Street Poetry completed a PhD on perceptions journalist and broadcaster. She is published an illustrated pamphlet of of Newcastle there in 1995. She has editorial director of Booktopia and her cat poems, The Duties of a Cat. continued her fascination with the she produces The Buzz, a monthly city, publishing a number of articles newsletter selection of book Russell Blackford Jane Caro on its history and heritage and recommendations and associated Russell Blackford is a Conjoint co-founding the Newcastle Hunter video interviews with up-and- Lecturer in the School of Humanities Jane Caro is an author, lecturer, Studies group in 2013. coming and established writers. and Social Science at the University mentor, social commentator, of Newcastle. His many books columnist, workshop facilitator, Samantha Dagg Magdalena Ball include Freedom of Religion and the speaker, broadcaster and award- Samantha Dagg was born and Magdalena runs the The Compulsive Secular State (2012) and Humanity winning advertising writer. She raised in Newcastle. At the time of runs her own communications Reader (compulsivereader.com). Her Enhanced: Genetic Choice and the writing this bio she was undertaking consultancy and lectures in stories, editorials, poetry, reviews and Challenge for Liberal Democracies a Masters in Creative Writing at the Advertising Creative at The School of articles have appeared in a number (2014). He is a Fellow of the US- University of Newcastle, though she Communication Arts at the University of printed anthologies and journals. based Secular Policy Institute and hopes she has finished by now. of Western Sydney. She is the author of poetry books, a Laureate of the International novels, and a nonfiction book Academy of Humanism. 11

Blanche d’Alpuget Jan Dean a high school teacher. Greg self- Blanche d’Alpuget is the author of Paint Peels Graffiti Sings by published the murder mystery, novels, biographies, essays, reviews Newcastle poet Jan Dean was Death on Dangar Island, in 2014. and articles for Australian and selected in competition for American publications including the translation by Flying Island Books, Jaye Ford New York Times. She has won many Macau for its Pocketbook series. A Jaye Ford is author of four suspense prizes including the PEN Golden former teacher, Jan’s publication novels. Her first thriller, Beyond Fear, Jubilee Award, The Age Novel of the credits include Southerly, Hecate, won best debut and readers’ choice Year Award and both the NSW and Quadrant, The Australian and awards at the 2012 Sisters in Crime South Australian Premiers’ Award anthologies from Catchfire Press, Awards and was the highest selling for Non-fiction. Her novels include Roland Robinson and the Newcastle debut crime novel in Australia that Monkeys in the Dark, Turtle Beach Poetry Prize. Jan’s previous collection Carol Duncan year. Followed by Scared Yet?, Blood Secret, and last year’s Already Dead, and Winter in Jerusalem. Her non- With One Brush (IP) was shortlisted Carol Duncan is a former ABC her stories are set in the Hunter fiction includes Robert J Hawke: A for the Mary Gilmore Award. journalist and presenter with more and have been translated into eight Biography, On Longing and Hawke: than 25 years experience in the radio languages. The Prime Minister. Kaz Delaney industry. Preferring to call herself a Kaz Delaney is the author of the ‘storyteller’, Carol is continuing her Gavin Fry Brooke Davis young adult novel, Dead, Actually, love of communication by working Gavin Fry is Newcastle-based Perth writer Brooke Davis’ debut and its sequel Almost Dead. She with organisations to share their own artist, arts writer, publisher and novel Lost & Found was published to is also the author of acclaimed stories more effectively. wide acclaim in 2014. Inspired by the titles My Life as a Snow Bunny and museum professional. His museum tragic death of her mother, the novel Princesses Don’t Sweat. She, and appointments include Senior Curator Claire Dunn of Art, Australian War Memorial, explores the impact of grief. The her alter ego Kerri Lane, have written Claire Dunn is a writer, educator, Canberra, Deputy Director, Australian translation rights have been sold into more than 60 books for adults and barefoot explorer and journalist. She National Maritime Museum, Sydney 16 countries and major deals have young people. is a Newcastle Herald columnist and Director of Newcastle Museum been confirmed in the United States and writes regularly for The Sydney 1999 to 2011. He is the author of 20 and Great Britain. Morning Herald. Claire left her former books on Australian art, history and role as an environmental campaigner military subjects. His most recent and embarked on a journey of self- book is Pro Hart: Life & Legacy. discovery while living for a year in the bush, the subject of her memoir My Year Without Matches. Wesley Enoch Wesley Enoch is originally from Stradbroke Island (Minjeribah) and is a proud Noonuccal Nuugi man. Geraldine Doogue He is the artistic director of the Paul Daley Geraldine Doogue is a respected Queensland Theatre Company and journalist and broadcaster, host of a renowned director and writer Author and journalist Paul Daley’s Radio National’s Saturday Extra and for the stage. He has received the books have been finalists in major ABC TV’s Compass. She has won Patrick White Playwright’s Award and Annemarie Fleming literary awards, including the two Penguin Awards for excellence been short-listed for the NSW and Manning Clark House Cultural Victorian Premiers’ literary awards When everything at home turns in broadcasting from the Television to chaos and a glass of wine isn’t Awards and the Prime Minister’s Society of Australia and a United History Prize. He is the winner of Jill Emberson enough, a bad mother can always Nations Media Peace Prize. Her call an emergency meeting of the Walkley Award for Investigative most recent book is The Climb: Jill Emberson hosts the morning Journalism and the Paul Lyneham The Bad Mothers’ Club. As general Conversations with Australian program for ABC 1233 in Newcastle. Award for Press Gallery journalism. Jill and her team have won several secretary, Newcastle writer Women in Power (Text Publishing). He is the author of Beersheeba: prestigious awards. In May 2012, Annemarie Fleming has gathered A Journey Through Australia’s a three-part series on heroin a collection of minutes from these Linda Drummond meetings and now shares them with Forgotten War and the political Linda Drummond is a Newcastle- uncovered a shocking two-year thriller, Challenge. waiting list for methadone treatment you in her new book, The Collected based journalist, blogger and social Minutes of the Bad Mothers’ media marketer. Linda set up her in the Hunter. The series won a Local Radio Award for Outstanding Meetings, which will be launched Vera Deacon blog PinkPatentMaryJanes in 2008. Vera Deacon grew up on Moscheto Coverage of a Local Story, a Northern at the festival. Subtitled “A little bit of what I fancy”, Island in the Hunter River and lived NSW MEAA Award for Excellence in Linda’s blog looks at life through with her family in a number of camps Journalism and was nominated for Maree Gallop the eyes of a Newcastle-lover. A for the unemployed during the 1930s a Walkley Award for Excellence in Maree Gallop is a Newcastle fiction journalist with more than 20 years Depression. She has led a long life Journalism. writer, nurse and community experience, Linda’s work has been of activism in the cause of social volunteer. Her work and life published on topics such as health, justice. A writer of award-winning experiences are reflected in her fitness, parenting, travel, beauty and Greg Field local history and fictional works, Greg Field owned and ran a short stories, which have won local lifestyle. Linda is currently working she supports a number of causes bookstore for many years. After and national competitions. Borrasca on a range of travel eBooks to be including conservation, Indigenous selling his store, he took a part time in the e-book Mirrors is one of her published in late 2015. education and the preservation of job as a lifeguard, started writing, and five published stories. local historical records. went back to university to become

Paul Bevan Blanche d’Alpuget Wesley Enoch Jill Emberson 12 Newcastle Writers Festival 20-22 March 2015 Biographies Nim Gholkar Network see www.newcastle.edu. Steele Rudd Award and the Geraldine and led debate teams at various Nim Gholkar was born and raised au/research-and-innovation/centre/ Pascall Prize for critical writing. Her writers’ festivals. She also volunteers in Mumbai, India. She graduated in education-arts/wineresearch new novel, Goodbye Sweetheart, will at The Footpath Library where she English Literature from University of be launched at the festival. runs the national EPIC! writing Mumbai before moving to Australia Anne Gracie competitions for school children. in 1996. Her blog Nim’s Niche is a Anne Gracie is published by Berkley Kelly Hunter kaleidoscope of musings on life. USA (PenguinPutnam) and Penguin Accidentally educated in the Judy Johnson She was a guest columnist for a Australia and is working on her 17th sciences, Kelly Hunter has always Judy Johnson has written five poetry community newspaper in Sydney book. She is a former president of had a weakness for fairy tales, collections, two novels and a verse before devoting herself to her debut Romance Writers of Australia, has fantasy worlds and losing herself in novel, Jack, which won the Victorian novel Unravelling Anjali: Diary of twice won the Romantic Book of a good book. Although she enjoys Premier’s Award and was on both an Immigrant Bride, the first of a the Year (Australia) and the National living and working in different parts the Sydney and Melbourne University trilogy. www.nimsniche.com.au Reader’s Choice Award (USA), is a of the world, she still calls Australia syllabuses. Her most recent books five-time finalist in the prestigious home and is currently residing in are Stone Scar Air Water, shortlisted RITA Award (USA) and has twice been Newcastle. She is a three-time for the WA Premier’s Award, and listed in Library Journal (USA) best Romance Writers of America Rita a serialised e-book novel, The books of the year. annegracie.com finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling Ripper’s Net, informed by the life of author. www.KellyHunter.net. a Melbourne murderer thought in some circles to be Jack the Ripper. Sarah Johnson Sarah Johnson is the curator at Newcastle Art Gallery. Sarah was previously the curator and programs coordinator at Manly Art Gallery & Helen Garner Museum from 2004 to 2012. Prior to Helen Garner’s first novel, Monkey this she worked at the Powerhouse Grip, was published in 1977, won the Museum, The Australian National Maritime Museum and as education 1978 National Book Council Award, Keri Glastonbury and was adapted for film in 1981. She Ivy Ireland program assistant at Newcastle has published novels, short stories, Keri Glastonbury is a senior lecturer Region Museum. essays, and feature journalism. Her in creative writing at The University Ivy Ireland runs The Press Book most recent book, This House of of Newcastle, poet and essayist. She House, a Newcastle bookstore Grief, is published by Text. particularly enjoys supervising and café, with her family. Ivy sometimes supporting post-graduate students to teaches Creative Writing at the complete a major creative work and University of Newcastle, where she encourages anyone with a burning completed her PhD in 2012. Ivy was desire to write to consider enrolling awarded the Australian Young Poet in the program. Fellowship in 2007 and her poems have been published in various Daniela Heil magazines and anthologies. Her Daniela Heil is an anthropologist new collection of poems, Porch who has lived in Newcastle since Light, is published by Puncher & Erik Jensen 2009. She is a founding member of Wattmann and will be launched at the Newcastle Inner City Residents the Newcastle Writers Festival. Erik Jensen is the author of Acute Alliance (NICRA) and is passionate Misfortune: The Life and Death Christina Gerakiteys about contributing to preventing Margaret Jackson of Adam Cullen. He is editor inappropriate development in the Margaret Jackson is a Newcastle Christina’s earliest memories of of The Saturday Paper. He has inner city. Daniela is Senior Lecturer writer and the founding member reading include hiding under her worked as a journalist and editor at in Anthropology at the University of of a local writers group. She has covers with a torch, reading Alfred the Sydney Morning Herald, where Newcastle. a number of contributions in the Hitchcock thrillers or Nancy Drew he won the Walkley Award for Young ABC Open 500 words projects, and Print Journalist of the Year and the mysteries. Christina is a founding has a short story published in the member of The Women of Calibre UNAA’s Media Peace Prize. His work eBook, Mirrors. Margaret is currently has appeared in various publications, Book Club, which meets every editing her 22,000 word novella. month. Christina’s belief is that including The Monthly and New Occasionally she blogs at www. reading sparks imagination and once Statesman. margsslicesoflife.com.au. that is ignited, all things are possible. Aaron Kearney Wendy James Aaron Kearney is an award-winning Newcastle’s own Wendy James is an broadcaster, journalist and sports accomplished writer of novels and commentator with the ABC. He is short stories. Her most recent novel, the host of the 1233 ABC Newcastle Carolyn Holbrook The Lost Girls, was published in Breakfast Show, an A-League soccer 2014. In 2006, her debut novel, Out commentator and freelance writer. Australia is spending more than of the Silence, won the Ned Kelly any other nation on World War I Award for first crime fiction and was Christina Koutsoukos commemoration. Carolyn Holbrook, short-listed for the Nita May Dobbie Christina Koutsoukos spent almost author of Anzac: The Unauthorised Award for women’s writing. James three decades in the media during Biography, asks why. Carolyn is a writes about women’s lives: their which she worked in a number John Germov research fellow at Monash University. domestic and interior lives as well as of roles including current affairs She is a former journalist and policy the bigger picture – the intersection presenter and news and features As head of the University of adviser in federal government. of the political and the personal. She producer. She now teaches Newcastle’s Wine Studies Research lives in Newcastle. journalism at the University of Network, Professor John Germov Marion Halligan Newcastle and her research interests brings his world-class expertise on Born and raised in Newcastle, Meredith Jaffé include the reporting of religion and health sociology and the sociology Marion Halligan is one of Australia’s Meredith Jaffé writes a weekly literary journalism practice and training. of food and nutrition to this new field most important writers, with a long column for the online women’s of study. He is Pro Vice-Chancellor of list of literary prizes to her credit. magazine, The Hoopla. She has been John Knight the Faculty of Education and Arts at She has been short-listed for the a member of the judging panel that John Knight founded Pitt Street UON and the author of 20 academic Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and selects the long-list for the Australian Poetry with Linsay Knight in mid books. For more information the Miles Franklin Literary Award, and Book Industry Awards and has 2012. The idea for the press came about the Wine Studies Research has won the Nita B. Kibble Award, the chaired panels, presented workshops from their lifelong friend, Australian 13

poet John Foulcher. Their first David Leser Melina Marchetta publication was a pocket-sized David Leser has been a Middle East Melina Marchetta’s novels have reprint of Foulcher’s first book Light and Washington D.C. correspondent been published in 18 countries and Pressure from 1983. This was as well as feature writer in Australia 17 languages. Melina’s first novel, followed by poetry books from for the Murdoch, Packer and Fairfax Looking for Alibrandi, swept the Jenny Blackford, Tim Cumming, presses. He has received a number of pool of literary awards for young Luke Davies, Jean Kent, Lesley awards for his journalism. His most adult fiction when it was published. Lebkowicz, Geoff Page, Ron Pretty, recent book, To Begin to Know, Melina second novel Saving Melinda Smith, Mark Tredinnick and centres on his father, Bernie Leser, Francesca, won the CBCA Book of Jakob Ziguras. who started Vogue Australia and the Year Award for Older Readers, went on to lead the Conde Nast followed by On the Jellicoe Road, Linsay Knight group of magazines. which won the American Library Linsay Knight is widely respected as Association’s Michael L. Printz Dee Madigan a leading expert in, and contributor Steve Lewis Award for Excellence in Young Adult to, children’s literature in Australia. Steve Lewis had been reporting Literature. As the former Head of Children’s federal politics since 1992 and has Books at Random House Australia, survived the near collapse of the Roger Markwick she nurtured the talent of numerous Fairfax media group, three prime Roger Markwick is Professor of authors and illustrators. She is ministers, Mark Latham and a career Modern European History and Head passionate about poetry and in switch from the Australian Financial of the School of Humanities and 2012 she and her husband, John, Review to the News Limited tabloids. Social Science at the University launched the poetry imprint Pitt He is the co-author with journalist of Newcastle. He is the co- Street Poetry specialising in new Chris Uhlmann of The Mandarin author of Soviet Women on the Australian collections and previously Code and The Marmalade Files. Frontline in the Second World War out-of-print classics. (Palgrave-McMillan, 2012), which Amy Lovat was shortlisted for the 2013 NSW Amy Lovat is a PhD student in Premier’s History Awards. creative writing at the University of Newcastle, a freelance writer and editor. Her novella-in-progress Amy Lovat explores the lives and relationships of Novocastrian 20-somethings mixed up with music and church, sex and drugs. Amy’s research centres on the coming-of-age in Young Adult fiction, and how a search for identity Jean Kent is not exclusive to the teen years. She will be presenting her research at 2 Jean Kent grew up in rural international conferences in 2015. Queensland and now lives at Lake John Maynard Macquarie. Awards she has won for Dee Madigan Professor John Maynard is a Worimi her poetry include the Anne Elder, Dee Madigan is an award-winning man from the Port Stephens region Dame Mary Gilmore and Wesley creative director. She is a panellist of New South Wales. He is currently a Michel Wright Prizes. In 2014, with on The Gruen Planet (ABC TV) and Director at the Wollotuka Institute of Kit Kelen, she was co-editor of A appears on Sky’s The Contrarians, Aboriginal Studies at the University of Slow Combusting Hymn: Poetry PM Live and The Perrett Report. Newcastle and Chair of Indigenous From and About Newcastle and the She can also be heard regularly on History. He has held several major Marion Halligan Hunter Region. Her fifth full-length ABC Radio, and writes for a range positions and served on numerous collection of poems, The Hour of of publications. She is the author prominent organisations and Silvered Mullet, is published by Pitt of Hard Sell: The Tricks of Political committees. John’s publications Street Poetry and will be launched at Advertising. have concentrated on the the festival. intersections of Aboriginal political and social history, and the history of Anthony Lawrence Australian race relations. His most Anthony Lawrence has published recent book is Light and Shade: An 13 books of poems, the most Aboriginal Perspective of Joseph recent being Signal Flare which was Lycett’s Art. published in 2013 by Puncher & Wattman. His books and individual Fiona McArthur poems have won many major awards Fiona McArthur has written 33 including the Josephine Ulrick books in the past 15 years but Award, the Queensland Premier’s hasn’t forgotten it took her 10 Award, the New South Wales years to sell her first book. She Anne Gracie Premier’s Award, the Newcastle David Manne has been a Romance Writers of Poetry Prize and the Gwen Harwood David Manne is a human rights Australia Romantic Book of the Memorial Award. He teaches at lawyer and migration agent, and Year finalist, and a US Cataromance Griffith University, Gold Coast. executive director of the Refugee Readers Choice finalist. Fiona is & Immigration Legal Centre (RILC). also a midwife and lives on the Lake Macquarie He has worked in various capacities mid-north coast of NSW. www Writers’ Group assisting refugees and asylum FionaMcArthurAuthor.com Lake Macquarie Writers’ Group seekers for more than 20 years. David is a branch of the Fellowship of sat on the Board of the Refugee Julie McIntyre Australian Writers (FAW). Members Council of Australia for seven years, Historian Julie McIntyre uses the lens strive to improve their writing and currently sits on a number of of wine studies to explore questions by attending critique groups for other non-government Boards, ranging from colonial ambition comment and feedback on their including the Victorian Foundation within global currents of history to work. Every member participates in a for Survivors of Torture Ethics fashion for wine styles. Her book positive manner at critique meetings Committee, and peak Government First Vintage: Wine in Colonial New and at general meetings, during consultative bodies. South Wales (2012) won Gourmand which workshops are held. Publishing’s 2013 Best Australian Aaron Kearney Drinks History and was shortlisted 14 Newcastle Writers Festival 20-22 March 2015 Biographies for three further prizes including the founded the Tamil Refugee Council. debut Past the Shadows. A by Anna Funder, Raimond Gaita, 2013 NSW Premier’s History Awards. Aran currently works as a union heart-breaking novel, it was sold Les Murray and Christos Tsiolkas. organiser with the Finance Sector internationally, shortlisted in the She founded the campaign against Phillip McIntyre Union and is a spokesperson for the prestigious Miles Franklin Award and children in detention, We’re Better Assoc Prof Phillip McIntyre’s latest Tamil Refugee Council. won the Dobbie Literary Award. Her Than This. book Creativity and Cultural new novel, When the Night Comes, Production: Issues for Media Practice is published by Hachette. Paul Scott is published by Palgrave MacMillan Paul Scott teaches public affairs and in the UK. He is Head of Discipline Michael Robotham communication at the University of for Communication and Media in the Before writing best-selling thrillers, Newcastle. He has won teaching School of Design, Communication Michael Robotham was an and learning awards for innovative and Information Technology at the investigative journalist in Britain, learning initiatives linking students University of Newcastle. Australia and the United States. He with non-profit organisations is the pseudonymous author of and providing submissions to Joe Mintoff 10 best-selling non-fiction titles government inquiries. Paul has Joe Mintoff is a senior lecturer involving prominent figures in the produced award-winning features in philosophy at the University military, the arts, sport and science. for the ABC and Inside Sport and has of Newcastle with teaching Garth Nix His most recent book is Life and written for The Australian and the and research interests in moral A full-time writer since 2001, popular Death. He lives in Sydney with his Sun-Herald. He writes a fortnightly philosophy. fantasy writer Garth Nix previously wife and daughters. opinion column in the Newcastle worked as a literary agent, marketing Herald. David Musgrave consultant, book editor, book David Roland David Musgrave is a poet, publisher, publicist, book sales representative, David Roland has a PhD in clinical novelist and critic who lectures in bookseller, and as a part-time psychology. He is an honorary Creative Writing at the University of soldier in the Australian Army associate with the School of Newcastle. His poetry has received Reserve. Garth’s books include the Medicine at the University of many awards in Australia, including award-winning young adult fantasy Sydney, a member of the Australian the Newcastle Poetry Prize twice, novels Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. Psychological Society, and a founder and has been widely anthologised His fantasy novels for children of the Australian branch of the in Australia and overseas. He is a include The Ragwitch; the six books Compassionate Mind Foundation. board member of Australian Poetry of The Seventh Tower sequence; His most recent book is How I Limited and the publisher at Puncher The Keys to the Kingdom series; Rescued My Brain: A Psychologist’s & Wattmann. Remarkable Recovery From Stroke and the Troubletwisters series. Michael Sala Garth’s most recent book, Clariel, is a and Trauma. prequel to the Old Kingdom trilogy. Michael Sala grew up moving between Holland and Australia. P.M. Newton Much of his autobiographical first P.M. Newton joined the NSW Police novel The Last Thread was set Force in 1982. She spent the next 13 in Newcastle. In 2013, it won the years working in and around Sydney UTS Glenda Adams Award for New in various departments – first in Writing in the NSW Premier’s Awards, uniform, then as a detective. When and the Commonwealth Book Prize she had eventually had enough of (Pacific Region.) He is currently meeting people for the first time on working on his second novel, which Les Murray the worst day of their lives, Newton is set entirely in Newcastle, and resigned. Her first novel, The Old Jessica Rudd lectures in creative writing at the Les Murray lives in Bunyah, near School, won the Sisters in Crime University of Newcastle. Taree in NSW. He has published Davitt Award and the Asher Literary Jessica Rudd had three career some 30 books. His work is studied Award, and was shortlisted for the changes in as many years— law, in schools and universities around Indie Award for Debut Fiction and the PR, politics — but is now going Australia and has been translated into Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction. steady with her life as a writer. several languages. Les Murray’s new She hopes Ruby Blues, sequel volume of poems, Waiting for the Cassandra Page to Campaign Ruby, will give her Past, is his first in five years. Cassandra Page is a Newcastle author readers as many laughs as she with a penchant for speculative had writing it. Jessica is based in Aran Mylvaganam fiction in all its forms. Her first Brisbane. Aran was born in Nagakovil in anthology, Novascapes, was originally northern Sri Lanka. On 22 September, envisioned as an annual platform for Rosie Scott 1995, Aran’s school was bombed by previously unknown authors to get Rosie Scott is an internationally the Sri Lankan Air Force. His brother their names in print. She is currently published novelist, who has also Melinda Smith and scores of friends were killed. preparing Novascapes Volume 2 for worked in many other fields centring Melinda Smith’s fourth poetry Between 1995 and 1997 he lived in a publication. on human rights and social justice. collection, Drag down to unlock refugee camp in Udayarkaddu before She also writes poetry, essays, and or place an emergency call (Pitt St coming to Australia as a 13-year-old short stories. Her most recent book, Favel Parrett Poetry, 2013) won the 2014 Prime unaccompanied refugee in 1997. He Favel Parrett’s career was launched A Country Too Far: Writing on was detained in Villawood Detention Minister’s Literary Award for Poetry. in 2011 with the critically-acclaimed Asylum Seekers, was co-edited with Her work has appeared in Australian Centre for three months. In 2011 he Tom Keneally and includes work

Francesca Suters Michael Robothom Aiden Walsh Jay Tulloch 15

and international journals and works part-time in a corporate role. Aidan Walsh he is focused on promoting and anthologies and is currently featured Francesca self-published her debut Aidan Walsh’s short story advancing traditional human rights in an exhibition at Old Parliament novel, Returning, in 2014 and is Reunification recently won first and freedoms, including free speech, House. Her mother’s family hails currently working on the sequel. She place at Conflux, the Australia freedom of association, worship and from the Hunter Valley and she also enjoys blogging at Francesca national science fiction convention. movement and property rights. has many holiday memories of Writes Here. www.francescasuters. He has just finished his first novel, Newcastle. She lives in Canberra. weebly.com a swashbuckling regency fantasy, Ed Wright and is now working on his second Ed Wright is the best-selling author Beth Spencer Jacquie Svenson book. He curates a slowly growing of six popular histories, a book Beth Spencer’s latest books are Jacquie Svenson is a Newcastle- encyclopaedia for his fantasy world of poems and an award-winning Vagabondage (UWAP), a verse based lawyer who enjoys reading at http://unpathedwaters.com and novella. He also writes a column on memoir about the year she lived and writing trashy novels with bite. tweets (lazily) @AidanRWalsh. Australian Fiction for The Australian in a campervan, and The Party of She has completed her fourth novel, newspaper. He has a Ph.D. in Life (Flying Islands/ASM). A previous Blackout, a chick lit environmental Literature from the University of book of fiction, How to Conceive of thriller focusing on terrorism. Sydney and is currently a conjoint a Girl, was runner up for the Steele lecturer in creative writing at the Rudd Award. She is a past winner Jay Tulloch University of Newcastle, where he of The Age Short Story Award. A life in wine production has made also teaches. She has also written numerous Jay Tulloch one of the Hunter cross-genre pieces for ABC Radio, Valley’s best known wine legends. newspapers and journals. She lives in His family this year celebrates 120 Terrigal. www.bethspencer.com years in the Hunter wine industry. From harvesting grapes as soon John Stokes he could walk to managing iconic Poet John Stokes has published brands such as his own Tulloch label, James Valentine widely in Australia, Europe, Japan there is little Jay does not know James Valentine is a broadcaster, and the US. He has won or been about wine. With vintage completed writer, MC and musician. He presents shortlisted for many major prizes for 2015, he is looking forward to Afternoons on 702 ABC Sydney, including the Blake Prize for Poetry sharing his stories at the festival. 1233 ABC Newcastle and across and the Newcastle Poetry Prize. His ABC Local Radio NSW. He writes Don Watson book credits include A River in the Chris Uhlmann regularly for The Australian and a Chris Uhlmann is one of Australia’s Dark (Five Island Press), Dancing in weekly column for the North Shore Don Watson is one of Australia’s the Yard at Eden (Orta San Giulio), best-known and most respected most distinguished writers. His best- political broadcasters. He has a Times. He’s the author of six books and, most recently, Fire in the including the JumpMan series selling account of his time as Paul Afternoon (Halstead Press), which deserved reputation for his fearless Keating’s speechwriter, Recollections pursuit of the nation’s politicians for young adult readers, The True will be launched at the festival. History of Stuff for children and The of a Bleeding Heart, won through his work at the ABC. He several awards, as did his 2008 is the co-author with fellow Form Guide and Spotfull for adults. Francesca Suters release American Journeys. Don’s political journalist Steve Lewis Francesca Suters lives in Lake most recent book is The Bush: of TheMandarin Code and The Macquarie with her husband and Tim Wilson Travels in the Heart of Australia. three children. She has a Bachelor Marmalade Files. Tim Wilson was appointed Australia’s of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from Human Rights Commissioner in the University of Newcastle and February 2014. As Commissioner

Book Keepers at Back to Back Galleries

A group exhibition at Back to Back Galleries curated by Margaret McBride. This exhibition is held in conjunction with the 2015 Newcastle Writers Festival. Following the success of SUBTEXT, which was held during last year’s festival, 16 Hunter artists have created visual interpretations of the written work of select festival guests. All are welcome to view work by Brett Alexander, Jane Calthorpe, Brian Cox, Jan Downes, Caroline Hale, Varelle Hardy, Katharine Heinrich, Ann- Maree Hunter, Barry Maitland, Margaret McBride, Sylvia Ray, Julie Reid, Sue Stewart, Helen Stronach, Sharon Taylor and Sharon Tompkins. The exhibition commences on Friday, 6 March, at Back to Back Galleries, Bull Street, Cooks Hill and continues until 22 March. The opening event will be held on 6 March at 6pm. All welcome.

Official bookseller of the Newcastle Writers Festival

MacLean’s Booksellers festival bookshop is located on the Lower MacLean’s Ground Floor in the Banquet Room of the Newcastle City Hall. BOOKSELLERS Festival authors will be available for signings at the conclusion of their sessions. Your local independent bookseller FESTIVAL PARTNERS

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