Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival

Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival is on 23-25 March, bigger and better than ever, with 52 guest writers and many more appearing in the Talking Tent.

We wanted you to be first to know that the program is now available online and all tickets are now available for booking online or through the venue.

Some events have very limited numbers, for example Weaving Stories on the banks of the Bellinger has a maximum of 20, and a wide range of workshops have a maximum of 12, so go to http://www.bellingenwritersfestival.com.au/ and check out the wide range of events on offer.

To give you a just taste of the main event, among the 52 writers specially invited are:

• Arnold Zable is an acclaimed writer and one of Australia’s best-loved storytellers. He is the award-winning author of the memoir Jewels and Ashes and the bestselling novel Café Scheherazade, which was recently adapted for the stage. Arnold is a human rights activist, and president of International PEN, Melbourne.
• Mark Tredinnick – Just announced! Festival guest Mark Tredinnick wins the biggest poetry competition in history, the $50,000 Montreal International Poetry Prize.
• Morris Gleitzman is a bestselling Australian children’s author. His books explore serious and sometimes confronting subjects in humorous and unexpected ways. His titles include Two Weeks With The Queen, Grace, Doubting Thomas, Bumface, Give Peas A Chance, Once, Then and Now.
• Robert Drew, author of the best-selling memoir, The Shark Net and The Drowner was named one of the ten best international novels of the last decade.  His story anthology The Bodysurfers has recently been made an international Penguin Classic. His most recent book is the short-story collection The Rip.
• Alice Pung author of memoirs Her Father’s Daughter and Unpolished Gem, and the editor of Growing up Asian in Australia, has received enormous critical acclaim.
• Richard Glover ABC personality who you all know! He is the author of twelve books, including Why Men Are Necessary.
• The Poetry Slam is on again with more blood, sweat and rhyme. Last year’s winner Robin Archbold will be back to take on any challengers!! , don’t miss this high-powered, high entertainment spoken word event! (3 rounds, 3 poems, 3 minutes, 3 judges). This year it’s FREE with a weekend pass.

  From the festival committee – enquiries info@bellingenwritersfestival.com.au

Contact John Bennett, Artistic Director artistic@bellingenwritersfestival.com.au  and let him know your skills, interests, availability and contact details.