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Newcastle Writers Festival

In 2024, Newcastle Writers Festival will bring together 140 writers from across Australia for the festival program, which will be held from 5 to 7 April. The program will be launched on 16 February and tickets go on sale the same day. The festival champions a culture of writing and reading. To keep updated about upcoming events, please subscribe to our newsletter by scrolling to the bottom our website https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/

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Literary Trivia hosted by Nick Milligan

Wednesday 3 April 2024
Our literary trivia night is back! Do you know the name of the suburb where Boy Swallows Universe is set? Can you name all three Sally Rooney novels? Who is Ivan ‘Loonie’ Loon? Great ‘literary’ prizes on offer including bundles of new books and festival tickets. Teams are limited to 8 participants and solo competitors can be accommodated. Please note - access to this upstairs venue is via stairs only. There is no lift.
Customs House Hotel
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Workshop: Poetry with Rico Craig

Friday 5 April 2024
Workshop: The Everyday Epic - A Poetry Workshop with Rico Craig. This world is full of epic, otherworldly moments; clouds shifting, the hunt for new earrings, people changing car tyres. These everyday moments give poetry its texture and provide poets with an endless seam of inspiration for their writing.
In this workshop we’ll sift through the seemingly mundane, searching for the experiences we can expand to epic significance. We’ll bring our poetic vision to bear on the ordinary and look at the way our own inclination toward the poetic can be used to expand a reader’s perception of the worlds we share in our poetry. There will be writing exercises in this workshop, so bring something to write on - either a laptop or paper. Tickets $120.00. Limited to 15 places. Snacks provided.
Q Building 210, The University of Newcastle
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Workshop: Writing Rom-Com with Melanie Saward

Friday 5 April 2024
There's no denying that romantic comedy is absolutely booming right now: walk into any bookshop and you'll be confronted by a wall of fun, cute illustrative covers and cutesy titles. But despite this, publishers in Australia are lagging in the current rom com boom, which means they’re desperately seeking on-trend romance in all areas. Come and learn the rules of writing rom com and how to leverage the genre's tropes to get the attention of publishers. There will be writing exercises in this workshop, so bring something to write on - either a laptop or paper. Tickets $120.00. Limited to 15 places. Snacks provided.
Q Building 205, The University of Newcastle
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Entanglement: A Storymaking Workshop

Friday 5 April 2024
What’s your story? Join Voices of Women artistic director Lliane Clarke for an open storymaking workshop exploring storytelling through spoken word and sound. We particularly encourage women from First Nations, CALD, and LGBTQI+ communities to participate. The facilitators encourage observation, storytelling, spoken word sharing, physical games and early character development. There will be an opportunity to record a podcast, participate in readings or develop a short film. The workshop includes a screening of the short film, Entanglement. Free but bookings essential.
Watt Space Gallery
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Workshop: Crafting Narrative Drive Ashley Kalagian Blunt

Friday 5 April 2024
Tension on every page is the key to narrative drive, whether you’re writing fiction, memoir or any narrative work. In this practical workshop, participants will learn why narrative drive is essential to storytelling and discover how properly structured, tension-filled scenes create story momentum. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice through a series of exercises, giving them the confidence to begin applying their new skills right away, whether they’re starting a first draft or in the midst of revisions. There will be writing exercises in this workshop, so bring something to write on - either a laptop or paper. Tickets $165.00. Limited to 15 places. Snacks provided.
Q Building 211, The University of Newcastle
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Book of Life: Deborah Conway in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
In 1991, Deborah Conway sang ‘It’s only the beginning / But I’ve already gone and lost my mind’, in a joyous anthem that belted from Australian radios. She won awards and charted in the top 20 across the world several times. Then a few short years later, she was off the radar – but not by her own choosing. Deborah talks to Linda Marigliano about her memoir, Book of Life, which dives into those iconic moments, sharing behind-the-scenes of the Australian music industry, and the rise, fall, and rise again of her epic career.
Room X201 NUspace, The University of Newcastle
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Coming of Age in Middle Age

Saturday 6 April 2024
In their recent fiction, Emily Perkins, Megan Rogers and Christos Tsiolkas created characters at a crossroads, disrupting the traditional narrative of ‘coming of age’ as an experience of youth. They discuss belonging, change, and the perennial journey of ‘growing up’ with Ashley Hay.
NUspace X320, The University of Newcastle
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Stop the Press

Saturday 6 April 2024
In an era when newsrooms are confronted with continuously evolving challenges in the face of dwindling resources and the demands of the 24-hour digital news cycle, have traditional media organisations lost their legitimacy? Daniel Browning, Antony Loewenstein, and Louise Milligan discuss the key issues shaping the way news is reported and received by audiences. Hosted by Kylie Morris.
NUspace X321, The University of Newcastle
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Sustainable Living for a Kinder Future

Saturday 6 April 2024
What could our future look like if we reconnected with communities, found conscious ways to shop, cultivated resilient ecosystems, and made the effort to live like it matters? Permaculturist Kirsten Bradley, campaigner of climate solutions Claire O’Rourke, and Thanh ‘Fruit Nerd’ Truong chat with Dan Cox about taking small (or not!) steps towards big changes for our planet.
NUspace X301, The University of Newcastle
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Author, Academic, Activist: Bri Lee in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
'If you're doing work that you feel is important, it will be impossible to have everybody like you.’ Bri Lee first captured the literary world’s attention with her debut memoir Eggshell Skull, a compassionate and unforgettable interrogation of the injustices experienced by survivors of sexual assault. She’s since penned two more books and been shortlisted for a Walkley Award for her investigative journalism. Now, she’s turned her attention to fiction. Bri talks with Bridie Jabour about her novel, The Work, a story of love, vulnerability, and privilege in the world of art, set between Sydney and New York.
NUspace X101, The University of Newcastle
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Crime Writer in Pink: Sally Hepworth in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
Making her first festival appearance, New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth will speak about her stellar career, from writing her first novel on maternity leave and gaining interest from Hollywood heavyweights, to recently publishing her ninth novel, Darling Girls. Hosted by Amy Lovat.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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Crime Writer in Pink: Sally Hepworth Livestream

Saturday 6 April 2024
Making her first festival appearance, New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth will speak about her stellar career, from writing her first novel on maternity leave and gaining interest from Hollywood heavyweights, to recently publishing her ninth novel, Darling Girls. Hosted by Amy Lovat. This event will be live streamed. Details for the Zoom event will be emailed to you after 8.00am AEST on the day of the event. If you have not received this information prior to the event please check your spam folder.
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Writing the Lives of Writers

Saturday 6 April 2024
Bernadette Brennan, Catharine Lumby and Brigitta Olubas have recently written books about Helen Garner, Frank Moorhouse and Shirley Hazzard, respectively. They speak with Susan Wyndham about the challenges of literary biography and the extraordinary privilege of diving into the often-secret lives of writers.
NUspace X207, The University of Newcastle
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2023 Miles Franklin Winner Shankari Chandran in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
From being told her books ‘weren’t Australian enough’, to winning the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her third novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, Shankari Chandran’s writing journey has been anything but linear. She speaks with Ailsa Piper about family and memory, and the stories that shape who we become.
NUspace X320, The University of Newcastle
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Dark Places: Chris Hammer and Louise Milligan

Saturday 6 April 2024
After decades working as journalists, it might seem a natural progression for Chris Hammer and Louise Milligan to turn their attention to crime fiction. Chris covered international affairs and federal politics for more than 30 years, and Louise’s investigative journalism has most notably included high-profile child sexual abuse cases, such as the trial of Cardinal George Pell. They speak with Dan Cox about how their careers have influenced their fiction writing, and the dark places they draw from.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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Dark Places: Chris Hammer and Louise Milligan Livestream

Saturday 6 April 2024
After decades working as journalists, it might seem a natural progression for Chris Hammer and Louise Milligan to turn their attention to crime fiction. Chris covered international affairs and federal politics for more than 30 years, and Louise’s investigative journalism has most notably included high-profile child sexual abuse cases, such as the trial of Cardinal George Pell. They speak with Dan Cox about how their careers have influenced their fiction writing, and the dark places they draw from. This event will be live streamed. Details for the Zoom event will be emailed to you after 8.00am AEST on the day of the event. If you have not received this information prior to the event please check your spam folder.
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The In-Between: Christos Tsiolkas in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
Can we meet each other halfway? This is one of the central questions in Christos Tsiolkas’ new novel The In-Between, which follows two heartbroken men in their early 50s who meet on a dating app. It’s a quiet, tender love story with faint echoes of the boldness and carnal desire that distinguished his debut, Loaded, almost 30 years ago. Hosted by David Marr.
NUspace X101, The University of Newcastle
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The Responsibilities of Women

Saturday 6 April 2024
In Emily Perkins’ book Lioness, protagonist Therese Thorne asks, ‘Who are you if you’re not looking after someone?’ But what happens when women’s ambitions clash with responsibilities? Can we love other people’s children as if they were our own? Will the mental load ever be shared equally between the sexes? Kate Mildenhall, Kylie Needham and Emily Perkins explore these questions and more in their recent fiction. They interrogate womanhood, motherhood, and ‘otherhood’ with Anna Downes.
NUspace X207, The University of Newcastle
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Haunted by the Past

Saturday 6 April 2024
To be human is to be haunted by the past: the narratives of our collective and subjective worlds. Three authors grapple with colonial, personal, and family history in their recent fiction, blurring the lines of fantasy and reality and creating characters who ask, ‘Can we lay these ghosts to rest?’ With Winnie Dunn, Mirandi Riwoe and Lucy Treloar. Hosted by Cath Keenan.
NUspace X207, The University of Newcastle
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The Case Against Marriage: Clementine Ford in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
In Clementine Ford’s most controversial book to date, she argues an impassioned case against the institution of marriage. I Don’t reveals the capitalist, patriarchal structures that work to maintain control over women’s agency, ambitions, and autonomy. Clementine speaks with Maeve Marsden about the history of marriage, the illusions of feminism, and what the world could look like if women were truly free.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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The Case Against Marriage: Clementine Ford Livestream

Saturday 6 April 2024
In Clementine Ford’s most controversial book to date, she argues an impassioned case against the institution of marriage. I Don’t reveals the capitalist, patriarchal structures that work to maintain control over women’s agency, ambitions, and autonomy. Clementine speaks with Maeve Marsden about the history of marriage, the illusions of feminism, and what the world could look like if women were truly free. This event will be live streamed. Details for the Zoom event will be emailed to you after 8.00am AEST on the day of the event. If you have not received this information prior to the event please check your spam folder.
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The Long Haul

Saturday 6 April 2024
In three years, ‘Long Covid’ has become one of our most significant health conditions, estimated to have affected about one million Australians – and that number is rising. Until now, the lack of understanding and information about the condition has meant that people have largely endured in silence. Join clinician Dr Steven Faux, author of Long Covid, and journalist Tracey Spicer, who has become a vocal advocate for sufferers since her diagnosis, as they unpack the myths and misunderstanding that plague this chronic illness. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom.
NUspace X321, The University of Newcastle
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The Palestine Laboratory: Antony Loewenstein in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
Israel’s spying technology and defence hardware is being used by despots and democracies around the world – from the Pegasus software that hacked Jamal Khashoggi’s phones, and the weapons sold to the Myanmar army that killed thousands of Rohingyas, to the drones being used by the European Union to monitor refugees in the Mediterranean. Independent journalist Antony Loewenstein discusses how Israel became a leader in the development of weaponry and surveillance technology. Hosted by Matt Bevan.
NUspace X101, The University of Newcastle
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Book Launch: Wear Next, Fashioning the Future by Clare Press

Saturday 6 April 2024
Celebrate the launch of Wear Next, Fashioning the Future by Clare Press at Momo Wholefood, 227 Hunter Street. What will you be wearing in 10 years? Will your jacket have been grown in a lab, or your jeans coloured using bacteria? Clare Press’ new book explores the factors that are likely to shape our fashion futures, from conscious, fair, slow and upcycled to bio-intelligent and digital. She’ll speak to Rowena Foong about fascinating innovators around the globe who are redesigning fashion from the ground up and changing it in the most fundamental ways.
Momo Wholefood Cafe
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Life on the Page

Saturday 6 April 2024
Jessica Kirkness grew up close to her grandparents, who were deaf in a hearing world. Sophie Matterson walked across Australia with her beloved camels. Ben Mckelvey experienced a sudden stroke, and then a heart attack, in his twenties. Eye-opening and honest, all three lay bare some of the most intimate and vulnerable moments in their lives. They speak to Fiona Murphy about what compelled them to share their stories.
NUspace X321, The University of Newcastle
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On Art and Desire

Saturday 6 April 2024
‘There’s art, and then there’s everything else,’ declares Lally in Bri Lee’s first book of fiction, The Work. Bri joins Anna Kate Blair and Kylie Needham for a discussion about the tension between art and desire, family and privilege, ambition and seduction. Hosted by Amy Sambrooke.
NUspace X207, The University of Newcastle
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Poetry Salon

Saturday 6 April 2024
Join us for an evening of poetry readings. Featuring Richard James Allen, Susie Anderson, Deborah Conway, Natalie Damjanovich-Napoleon, Yvette Henry Holt, Kirli Saunders, and Ellen Shelley. Hosted by Michele Seminara.
Watt Space Gallery
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The Teacher’s Pet: Hedley Thomas in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2024
Thought you knew the story of The Teacher’s Pet? Walkley Award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas shares insights from behind the scenes of one of the most intriguing Australian murder cases of our time. He will speak with Richard Glover about what prompted him to explore the disappearance of Lynette Dawson, how he created the #1 podcast, and his involvement in the trial that ultimately convicted Chris Dawson of murder.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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The Teacher’s Pet: Hedley Thomas in Conversation Livestream

Saturday 6 April 2024
Thought you knew the story of The Teacher’s Pet? Walkley Award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas shares insights from behind the scenes of one of the most intriguing Australian murder cases of our time. He will speak with Richard Glover about what prompted him to explore the disappearance of Lynette Dawson, how he created the #1 podcast, and his involvement in the trial that ultimately convicted Chris Dawson of murder. This event will be live streamed. Details for the Zoom event will be emailed to you after 8.00am AEST on the day of the event. If you have not received this information prior to the event please check your spam folder.
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Giyi Para - the Convening of a Gathering

Saturday 6 April 2024
For thousands of generations First People in our country have gathered in a continuing practice of coming together to share knowledge, celebrate country, and strengthen ongoing relationships. In the spirit of this continued gathering practice, The Wollotuka Institute, in partnership with Newcastle Writers Festival, invites you to an evening of community, corroboree and celebration. Tickets $10 / Free for those who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, but booking is required for catering purposes. 5.00pm to 5.30pm The Way of the Ancestors with Wonnarua elder Uncle Warren Taggart. 5.40pm to 5.50pm A performance by poet and storyteller Rob Waters. 5.55pm to 6.40pm The Last Daughter (Brenda Matthews) 6.40pm to 7.00pm BBQ (Food available at no cost) 7.00pm to 7.45pm Big Sky 7.45pm to 8.15pm
The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle
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Words & Music

Saturday 6 April 2024
‘Music is the shorthand of emotion.’ - Leo Tolstoy This special event returns for its second year and celebrates music, literature and the nature of inspiration. Drawing on the work of influential writers, an eclectic lineup of songwriters and musicians will transform words from the page to the stage. Curated by Dan Flegg and Nick Milligan. Featuring Elijah Moss, Piper Butcher, Deborah Conway, Natalie Damjanovich-Napoleon, Dan Flegg and friends, Jim Moginie, Adam Newling, Nina Romeru, Lachlan X Morris and Bray Porter.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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The James Fletcher Hospital Site: Sounds of the Past

Sunday 7 April 2024
Join historians and writers Cathy Coleborne, Jude Conway, Nancy Cushing, Mark Dunn, Helen English, Keri Glastonbury, Ann Hardy, and Adam Manning as they share historical, cultural and poetic insights about the James Fletcher Hospital site, including its past use for Awabakal ceremony, coal mining, concerts and an industrial school for girls, as well as its early years as a centre of mental health care.
James Fletcher Hospital
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Workshop: Short Stories in Cyanotype

Sunday 7 April 2024
In collaboration with WH!P Collective’s exhibition, photomedia artist Clare Weeks is leading this workshop. Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. It’s safe, simple, and easy to use. Participants will create a photographic image utilising this process. All you need is your imagination and light. Free but bookings essential.
Watt Space Gallery
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36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem: Nam Le in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2024
Fifteen years after his award-winning debut The Boat, Nam Le brings us 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem, an explosive, devastating book of poetry with praise from Nick Cave, David Malouf and Barbara Tran. He speaks with Michele Seminara about reckoning with identity, diaspora and displacement, and exploding the poetic form.
NUspace X320, The University of Newcastle
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Earth, Sea and Sky

Sunday 7 April 2024
When the world feels like it’s falling apart, how do we find hope? Can we still feel wonder and awe, even as temperatures rise and forests burn? Kirsten Bradley, Krystal de Napoli, and Duane Hamacher discuss grounding through earth, sea and sky, finding joy, and connecting with nature in tough times. Hosted by Amy Sambrooke.
NUspace X207, The University of Newcastle
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Finding it in the Family

Sunday 7 April 2024
When stories are passed through generations, how does that shape the ones we tell ourselves? These novels use memory and lore to blend the real with the imagined. Tony Birch, Andre Dao and Laura Elizabeth Woollett share how family history helped inform their fiction. Hosted by Bernadette Brennan.
NUspace X301, The University of Newcastle
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The Last Daughter: Brenda Matthews in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2024
At two years old, Brenda Matthews and her siblings were taken from their parents. For five years, she lived happily as a much-loved daughter within a white family, before being swiftly reunited with the birth family she barely remembered. Decades later, Brenda searched for her foster family and learned the truth about her past. Brenda appears in conversation with Melissa Lucashenko about her memoir and Netflix documentary, The Last Daughter.
NUspace X101, The University of Newcastle
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An Affair to Remember

Sunday 7 April 2024
Three young queer writers navigate power, morality, and sexuality in their debut novels. Maeve Marsden speaks with Anna Kate Blair, Madeleine Gray and Amy Lovat about millennial mess, the ethics of love, and writing between the lines of relationships.
NUspace X320, The University of Newcastle
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Lies My Mirror Told Me: Wendy Harmer in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2024
In Lies My Mirror Told Me, Wendy Harmer reflects on her life as one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers. Author, journalist, stage performer and more – prepare to hear an unlikely success story told from a frank, funny, and fearless perspective. Hosted by Jane Caro.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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The Love Language of Food

Sunday 7 April 2024
After twice appearing on Masterchef and reaching the top five, Reece Hignell now runs the popular Newcastle bakery, Cakeboi. Linda Marigliano’s memoir Love Language covers family, music and pasta, to uncover her people-pleasing in relationships. In her cookbook-memoir Heartbake, Charlotte Ree writes about learning to cook, and in turn learning to love again. Join them in conversation with Yumi Stynes about the delicious marriage of food and love.
NUspace X321, The University of Newcastle
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Things We Don’t Speak About: Mental illness

Sunday 7 April 2024
In this new series of conversations about issues we don’t speak about, we invite authors to share how they interrogate tough topics in their writing lives. Elfy Scott, Jessie Stephens and Nick Wasiliev discuss representing mental illness in both fiction and non-fiction. Hosted by Maddison Connaughton.
NUspace X207, The University of Newcastle
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Book Launch: The Silver River by Jim Moginie

Sunday 7 April 2024
Celebrate the launch of The Silver River: A Memoir of a Family Lost, Made and Found by one of the founding members of legendary band Midnight Oil, Jim Moginie. Hosted by Nick Milligan. This event is free, but bookings are required.
Watt Space Gallery
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Boy Conquers Universe

Sunday 7 April 2024
The screen adaptation of Trent Dalton's much-loved novel Boy Swallows Universe has been applauded by the book's loyal fans since its January release on Netflix, but no one could have predicted its international success. Meet the Newcastle-based BAFTA and Emmy-nominated director, Bharat Nalluri, who helped bring this very Australian story to life for a global audience. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom.
NUspace X301, The University of Newcastle
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Bright Shining: Julia Baird in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2024
From the religious to the secular, wonder to mystery, humanity to the natural world, grace can be found everywhere – and, according to Julia Baird, it changes everything. In conversation with Cath Keenan, Julia shares the popular sociology of grace, how it can make us healthier as a society, and that which can’t be measured by science.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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Life, Interrupted

Sunday 7 April 2024
What happens when all we know about our lives is lost? How do we recover when trust is broken? Steph Lentz concealed her sexuality from her church community for many years. Ben Mckelvey’s active life took a turn when he suffered debilitating health issues in his 20s. And Jeanne Ryckmans discovered the hard truth about a beloved partner when it was almost too late. They speak with Anna Downes about writing what lies beneath the surface, and what it takes to rebuild.
NUspace X321, The University of Newcastle
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Rage and Resistance

Sunday 7 April 2024
‘...Art sustains life … showing people things they otherwise might not see’, observes a protagonist in Sara M Saleh’s Songs for the Dead and the Living. In fiction and in life, where do we go when words fail us and language isn’t enough? How can art tell stories that we need the world to understand? Daniel Browning, Sara M Saleh and Lucy Treloar discuss drawing on rage and resistance to write hard truths. Hosted by Jackie Dent.
NUspace X320, The University of Newcastle
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Best Wishes: Richard Glover in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2024
Described by Trent Dalton as ‘a soaring tribute to the power of wishful thinking’, Richard Glover’s most recent book, Best Wishes, centres on his hopes for making the world a better – less annoying – place for all. We’re thrilled to welcome Richard Glover back to the festival for what will be a heartful and hilarious conversation with Dan Cox.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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Biting Back: Hannah Ferguson in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2024
Hannah Ferguson co-founded an independent news commentary platform at a time when the world needed it most. In 2020, Cheek Media Co. quickly established itself as the go-to platform for daring feminist opinions and progressive perspectives on everything from right-wing politics to overcoming taboos around sex and pleasure. The mission? To provoke conversation and inspire meaningful social change. In Hannah’s memoir, Bite Back, she tells the whole story – and more. Hosted by Maddison Connaughton.
NUspace X101, The University of Newcastle
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Blurring Genre, Building Worlds

Sunday 7 April 2024
Sharlene Allsopp, Kate Mildenhall and Shelley Parker-Chan have redefined world-building in their new fiction – weaving together the past and the present to disrupt the stories we’ve always told ourselves. Listen to how these authors build new worlds, break down old ones, and create characters pulsing with heart. Hosted by Chris Flynn.
NUspace X321, The University of Newcastle
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Laugh or You’ll Cry: Writing for Page, Stage and Screen

Sunday 7 April 2024
From exploring debilitating grief on the page, to creating a heartwarming rom-com, and rewriting colonial history from a new perspective, Nadine J Cohen, James Colley and Jane Harrison laugh in the face of misery, drawing on dark humour and comedy in their recent works. Hosted by Nick Milligan.
NUspace X320, The University of Newcastle
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Poetics and Practice: Jazz Money in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2024
Jazz Money is a nationally acclaimed Wiradjuri poet and artist. With a practice centred in poetics, their work has been published internationally and exhibited around Australia as art installations, digital interventions, and film. Join Jazz in conversation with Peter Johnson as they speak about their poetry and multidisciplinary practice. Presented with Newcastle Art Gallery.
NUspace X321, The University of Newcastle
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Writing Place - Creative Writing Short Course

Saturday 13 April 2024
Newcastle Writers Festival and The University of Newcastle’s School of Humanties, Creative Industries and Social Sciences are collaborating to offer a month-long intensive creative writing short course. Getting place right is more than having a backdrop or setting for your writing and in this course you will learn ways to engage with place as a narrative or poetic trigger. The course is suitable for anyone who wants to explore the ‘place of place’ across the genres of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction (memoir/travelogue/essay). The course will be led by Dr Keri Glastonbury and includes special guests Amy Lovat, Kim Mahood, and Charlotte Wood. It is for experienced writers as well as readers who want to make the transition to becoming writers and are happy to read the three books mentioned and hear from the authors. Guest writers will participate via Zoom. For a full course outline visit https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/writing-course/
University of Newcastle Nuspace Building
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An Evening with Matthew Reilly

Wednesday 25 October 2023
Much-loved best-selling author Matthew Reilly returns to Newcastle for the first time in seven years to speak about his new novel, the epic historical thriller Mr Einstein's Secretary. Spanning 40 years, this is the thrilling tale of a young woman propelled through history's most dangerous times. The conversation will be hosted by ABC Newcastle's Dan Cox. Thank you to the University of Newcastle and Pan Macmillan for supporting this Newcastle Writers Festival event.
Brennan Room, University of Newcastle
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Chanel Contos in Conversation

Saturday 16 September 2023
Newcastle Writers Festival is hosting a special event on 16 September with consent activist Chanel Contos at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. She will speak to journalist Maddison Connaughton about her new book Consent Laid Bare: Sex, entitlement and the distortion of desire. In February 2021, Chanel asked on Instagram if anyone had been sexually assaulted while at school. Within 24 hours, more than 200 people had replied ‘yes’. She then launched an online petition to make consent education mandatory in Australian schools. It attracted 45,000 signatures. One year later, education ministers from around the country unanimously agreed. Chanel’s actions spurred a movement to end rape culture in Australia. There will be books for sale on the night thanks to MacLean's Booksellers. This event is supported by the University of Newcastle's Schools of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, Pan Macmillan, and MacLean's Booksellers.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall - (Updated 26/6/23)
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The Downfall of Ben Roberts-Smith

Friday 28 July 2023
Newcastle Writers Festival presents a special event with award-winning investigative journalists Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie on 28 July to launch their respective books which centre on the downfall of decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith. Chris Masters (Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies and War Crimes, Allen & Unwin) and Nick McKenzie (Crossing the Line: The Inside Story of Murder, Lies and a Fallen Hero, Hachette Australia) will speak to festival director and former journalist Rosemarie Milsom about their investigations, which began in the battlefields of Afghanistan and led them to the frontlines of the Federal Court. There will be a book signing at the conclusion of the event thanks to MacLean's Booksellers. This event is supported by the University of Newcastle's School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences.
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Hall
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Frances Watts presents: The Chicken’s Curse (Years 3-6)

Friday 3 April 2020
Frances Watts shares the inspiration and creative process behind her books, including how she transformed a crazy-but-true fact about ancient Rome into an epic historical novel about two runaways and a selfish sacred chicken. NOTE: When booking, please select student tickets first, then follow the prompts and select 'buy more tickets' in your cart to add teacher tickets. You can also add tickets for other events by selecting 'find other events' in your cart.
Hunter Room, Newcastle City Hall
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Graeme Base presents: The Magic of Picture Books (Years 3-6)

Friday 3 April 2020
Dive into the colourful world of picture books with legendary creator Graeme Base, who takes students through his incredible body of work including his latest series, 'The Bumblebunnies: Superheroes of the Garden'. Get ready to fly alongside the Bumblebunnies as they go about their day learning teamwork, resilience and problem solving.
Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall
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Tania McCartney presents: I Love Books! (Years 1-3)

Friday 3 April 2020
Books are brimming with magic and adventure. Explore the various types of children’s books and how they are created, from ideas, inspiration and drafts, through typography, illustration and production processes. NOTE: When booking, please select student tickets first, then follow the prompts and select 'buy more tickets' in your cart to add teacher tickets. You can also add tickets for other events by selecting 'find other events' in your cart.
Cummings Room, Newcastle City Hall
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Tony Flowers presents Write me a Picture (Years 3-6)

Friday 3 April 2020
Tony Flowers will bring students’ imaginations to life with illustrations, performance and story. The session will show students how they can generate story ideas and engage in creative storytelling. A perfect way for students to develop creative thinking processes that expand their visual literacy skills and capabilities.
Civic Theatre Playhouse
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Exploring Speculative Fiction with Ed Wright (Years 5-6)

Friday 3 April 2020
Whether it’s sci-fi, cyberpunk, or dystopian fiction, speculative fiction is the imagination of ‘what if...’ In this workshop, students use their own questions to create scenarios that will then become the settings for exciting and imaginative stories. NOTE: When booking, please select student tickets first, then follow the prompts and select 'buy more tickets' in your cart to add teacher tickets (free). You can also add tickets for other events by selecting 'find other events' in your cart.
Newcastle Room, Newcastle City Hall
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From Zero to Hero with Jess Black (Years 3-4)

Friday 3 April 2020
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and their journey to becoming a hero isn’t always an easy one. In this writing workshop students will learn how to transform a character from humble beginnings to brave hero.
Mulubinba Room, Newcastle City Hall
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Everybody Loves Llamas with Aleesah Darlison (Years 3-4)

Friday 3 April 2020
It’s a llama celebration and you’re invited. Learn all about the marvellous, mysterious and mega-popular animal that is the llama. Through a series of writing and drawing exercises, students will create their very own llama-inspired characters. NOTE: When booking, please select student tickets first, then follow the prompts and select 'buy more tickets' in your cart to add teacher tickets (free). You can also add tickets for other events by selecting 'find other events' in your cart.
Newcastle City Library, Lovett Gallery
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Seeing with New Eyes with Lynn Jenkins (Years 5-6)

Friday 3 April 2020
In this workshop students will gain an understanding of mindfulness and how to use it in a general way as well as a technique to write more descriptively. NOTE: When booking, please select student tickets first, then follow the prompts and select 'buy more tickets' in your cart to add teacher tickets (free). You can also add tickets for other events by selecting 'find other events' in your cart.
Newcastle City Library, Meeting Room 1
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CANCELLED Bruce Pascoe presents: Young Dark Emu (Years 5-6)

Friday 3 April 2020
This event has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Civic Theatre Playhouse
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I Fell Into My Favourite Book with Ed Wright (Years 5-6)

Friday 3 April 2020
Ever wanted to go to Hogwarts? Or play a role in Bad Guys? In this fan fiction workshop students get to put themselves or their own characters into their favourite books, or build their own stories using their favourite characters. NOTE: When booking, please select student tickets first, then follow the prompts and select 'buy more tickets' in your cart to add teacher tickets (free). You can also add tickets for other events by selecting 'find other events' in your cart.
Newcastle Room, Newcastle City Hall
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Loud Macaws and Muddy Paws with Jess Black (Years 3-4)

Friday 3 April 2020
In this workshop students will go on a rollicking journey to create stories about Jess’s favourite subject – animals! Students will discover how to inject humour, surprise, suspense and loveable characters into their stories. Get ready for lots of twists and turns!
Mulubinba Room, Newcastle City Hall
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Who is in My Garden? with Nicola Bolton (Years 3-4)

Friday 3 April 2020
In this workshop, students will create their own illustrations using collage. They will explore and develop their ideas and stories about their own backyards as a way to help them realise that there are stories all around them. Materials provided. NOTE: When booking, please select student tickets first, then follow the prompts and select 'buy more tickets' in your cart to add teacher tickets (free). You can also add tickets for other events by selecting 'find other events' in your cart.
Newcastle City Library, Meeting Room 2
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Australian Poetry (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
Newspace - Room TBC
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The Crucible (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
The Playhouse
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Billy Elliot (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
NewSpace - Room TBC
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Creative Writing Workshop - Poetry (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
Newspace
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Creative Writing Workshop - Prose (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
Newspace
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Shakespeare’s History Plays: Richard III + Henry IV (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
The Playhouse, Civic Theatre
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
Newspace
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The Tempest and Hagseed (HSC)

Thursday 2 April 2020
Presented in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s School of Humanities and Social Science. These interactive sessions are designed to enhance students’ understanding of their HSC texts as well as the writing process. The esteemed presenters will share their knowledge and respond to questions from students and teachers.
The Playhouse, Civic Theatre
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An Evening With Tony Jones

Friday 8 November 2019
Newcastle Writers Festival is hosting a special event with Q&A host Tony Jones before he relocates to China at the end of the year. He'll speak to festival director Rosemarie Milsom about his new political thriller In Darkness Visible, which blurs the lines between fiction and political reality. Thanks to MacLean's Booksellers there will be a book signing after the conversation.
Civic Playhouse
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How to Change the World: Natalie Isaacs in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2019
The Founder of 1 Million Women, Natalie Isaacs, talks to Christina Gerakiteys about harnessing passion, power and politics to create a better future. Tickets $15
Civic Playhouse
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Shine It Up: Jackie Gillies

Sunday 7 April 2019
Bookings for this session are briefly closed. We anticipate they will reopen by 11.45am on Thursday March 28th. Please check back then. Jackie Gillies is a successful businesswoman and TV identity, but spirituality has also played a significant role in her life. She shares her journey. Tickets $25
Hunter Room
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Troll Hunting

Sunday 7 April 2019
Investigative journalist Ginger Gorman takes us inside the world of online hate and its human fallout. Hosted by Jane Caro. Tickets $15
Cummings Room
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Accidental Feminists

Sunday 7 April 2019
Women over 55 belong to the generation that changed everything but didn’t plan to. Jane Caro explores the achievement of these revolutionaries. Hosted by Meredith Jaffé. Tickets $15 This event is general admission.
Concert Hall
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CANCELLED - Penned Pals

Sunday 7 April 2019
Tony Doherty and Ailsa Piper, authors of 'The Attachment', celebrate their favourite collected correspondences in this surprising, tender and sometimes hilarious charmer of a performance. Tickets $25 This event has been cancelled and a full refund will be issued to all ticketholders. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Civic Playhouse
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Face to Face

Sunday 7 April 2019
An effective interview challenges and illuminates, but what are the secrets to its success? With Trent Dalton, Chloe Hooper and Kerry O’Brien. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom. Tickets $25 This event is general admission.
Hunter Room
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Is Our School System Broken?

Sunday 7 April 2019
Schools are dealing with increasing funding constraints and face mounting pressure to achieve better outcomes for more students. Mark Scott and Gabbie Stroud look to the future. Hosted by John Fischetti. Tickets $15
Cummings Room
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CANCELLED - The Power of Love: Barney and Kada Miller

Sunday 7 April 2019
She helped him get back on a surfboard after an horrific accident and he helped her find her voice. Barney and Kada Miller in conversation with Jenny Marchant. Kada will also perform. Tickets $15 This event has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience. Ticketholders will be refunded as soon as possible.
Cummings Room
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The Crappiest Refugee: Hung Le in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2019
Hung Le escaped the Vietnam war in a leaky prawn trawler as a child and became the “world’s first, best and tallest Vietnamese comic”. Hosted by Mandy Nolan. Tickets $15
Civic Playhouse
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The People vs The Banks

Sunday 7 April 2019
The banking royal commission put the financial sector on trial and exposed its self-interest, corruption and excess. What next for Australians and our banks? Michael Roddan in conversation with Justin O’Brien. Tickets $15
Hunter Room
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Why Women’s Stories Matter

Sunday 7 April 2019
With Clementine Ford, Kate Lilley and Alison Whittaker. Hosted by Trisha Pender. This session is General Admission Tickets $15
Concert Hall
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Country Roads

Sunday 7 April 2019
Rosalie Ham, Holly Throsby and Christian White discuss the big drama of small towns that inspires their work. Hosted by Meredith Jaffé. Tickets $25
Hunter Room
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One Hundred Years of Dirt: Rick Morton in Conversation

Sunday 7 April 2019
Rick Morton talks to Ed Wright about his memoir, which is a meditation on anger, fear of others and an obsession with real and imagined borders.  Tickets $15
Mulubinba Room
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SPECIAL FAMILY EVENT: Animal Tales

Sunday 7 April 2019
The Newcastle Wind Orchestra and Newcastle Writers Festival present Animal Tales. 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' will be presented alongside Henry Lawson’s classic 'The Loaded Dog'. Also featuring music from How to Train Your Dragon and Frozen! Tickets $25 Adult/$15 Concession/$60 Family (4 tickets)
Concert Hall
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The Ties that Bind

Sunday 7 April 2019
Mark Brandi, Trent Dalton and Emily O’Grady discuss how the past shapes the present in their coming-of-age novels. Hosted by Magdalena Ball. Tickets $25
Cummings Room
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You Daughters of Freedom

Sunday 7 April 2019
Clare Wright discusses the Australians who won the vote and inspired the world. Hosted by Nancy Cushing. Tickets $15
Civic Playhouse
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Queerstories

Saturday 6 April 2019
Enter the raucous, radical, wildly funny world of Queerstories and enjoy unexpected tales from a diverse line up of LGBTQI+ festival guests. With Claire G Coleman, Kait Fenwick, Bastion Fox Phelan, Paul van Reyk and Anthony Venn-Brown. Hosted by Maeve Marsden. Includes an interval. Tickets $25
Civic Playhouse
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Women Like Us: The Show

Saturday 6 April 2019
Enjoy two hours of rapid-fire stand-up comedy by Ellen Briggs and Mandy Nolan, who call themselves “the bogan woman’s thinking woman and the thinking woman’s bogan”. Irreverent, outrageous and down-to-earth, these women don’t just deliver in the birth suite, they do it on stage. Includes an interval. Tickets $35
Harold Lobb Concert Hall, University of Newcastle
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CANCELLED - Newcastle Sonnets

Saturday 6 April 2019
In the sequence of sonnets that compose her homage to Newcastle, Keri Glastonbury celebrates the city’s oddities and contradictions. For this special festival performance, she will be accompanied by musician Jacqueline Amidy. Tickets $15 This event has been cancelled. All ticketholders will be refunded ASAP.
Civic Playhouse
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Boys will be Boys: Clementine Ford in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2019
Clementine Ford dismantles the age-old idea that entitlement, aggression and toxicity are natural realms for boys, and reveals how the patriarchy we live in is as harmful to boys and men as it is to women and girls. Hosted by Amy Sambrooke. Tickets $25
Concert Hall
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Behind The News: Kerry O'Brien in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2019
Kerry O’Brien reflects on the social and political upheavals he has witnessed, of lessons learned and ignored, and the personalities who have made history all the while sharing some of his own story. Hosted by Paul Bevan. Tickets $25
Concert Hall
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Classroom Struggle: Gabbie Stroud in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2019
What does it mean to be a teacher? Gabbie Stroud discusses how she tried to keep the heart in her job. Hosted by Jane Caro. Tickets $15
Hunter Room
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Disruption and Disempowerment

Saturday 6 April 2019
Mark Scott argues that new media is enabling despots and disempowering democracy. Why does more information often mean less insight? Hosted by Justin O’Brien. Tickets $15
Mulubinba Room
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Reawakening the Past

Saturday 6 April 2019
Claire G Coleman, Jock Serong and Clare Wright explore the challenges of writing history based on previously unheard voices.  Hosted by Julie McIntyre. Tickets $15
Civic Playhouse
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A Dark Inheritance

Saturday 6 April 2019
Emily O’Grady, Trent Dalton and Christian White explore the far-reaching impact of crimes on their memorable fictional families. Hosted by Geordie Williamson. Tickets $25
Civic Playhouse
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The Best Medicine

Saturday 6 April 2019
Ellen Briggs, Tanya Hennessy and Hung Le discuss how they use laughter to face—and understand—the bitter moments of life.  Hosted by Amy Sambrooke. Tickets $15
Concert Hall
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Truth in Memoir

Saturday 6 April 2019
Is objective truth essential when writing about your life, and can memory and imagination ever be separated? With Jessie Cole, Caro Llewellyn and Rick Morton. Hosted by Ailsa Piper. Tickets $25
Hunter Room
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Blood and Dust

Saturday 6 April 2019
"Aussie noir" is enjoying a moment in the sun, but what is driving the popularity of this publishing phenomenon? With Mark Brandi, Chris Hammer and Sandi Wallace. Hosted by Jaye Ford. Tickets $25
Concert Hall
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Stories of Resilience

Saturday 6 April 2019
Most of us will experience at least one traumatic event. Yet, why and how do certain people cope more effectively to personal tragedy? With Meera Atkinson, Rick Morton and Heather Morris. Hosted by Annabel Smith. Tickets $25
Civic Playhouse
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The Borderland

Saturday 6 April 2019
Exploring the creative space between fact and fiction with Chloe Hooper, Bram Presser and Jock Serong. Hosted by Geordie Williamson. Tickets $25
Mulubinba Room
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Conversations with the Past

Saturday 6 April 2019
Exploring the enduring impact of the Holocaust through writing. With Heather Morris. Hosted by Magdalena Ball. Bram Presser has withdrawn from this event. Tickets $25
Hunter Room
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The Year of the Farmer: Rosalie Ham in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2019
Rosalie Ham’s THE DRESSMAKER has become an Aussie classic. She reflects on her passion for small towns and their larger-than-life characters. Hosted by Meredith Jaffé. Tickets $25
Mulubinba Room
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Newcastle Regional Library - Tour The Archives

Saturday 6 April 2019
Join historian Nancy Cushing and local studies librarian Sue Ryan for a behind-the-scenes tour of the library’s archives, which include the records of real estate firms and personal papers of prominent Novocastrians. Meet at the ground floor information desk. Tickets $10 and guarantee a seat for panel discussion at 11.30am.
Newcastle Regional Library
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The Powers That Be: Gillian Triggs in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2019
In the escalating war between truth and politics, how do we maintain human rights? Gillian Triggs in Conversation with Jill Emberson. Tickets $15
Concert Hall
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The Thrill of It: Michael Robotham in Conversation

Saturday 6 April 2019
Michael Robotham is renowned for creating complex page-turners. He discusses the complex characters and plot twists that bring his books to life. Hosted by Ailsa Piper. Tickets $25
Civic Playhouse
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NWF Opening Night: Speaking Out

Friday 5 April 2019
Does making change mean making trouble? Ben Quilty, Gillian Triggs and Joe Williams shed light on the people and experiences that have inspired them to speak out and find the courage to lead. Hosted by Jane Hutcheon Master of ceremonies: Dan Cox Tickets $35
Harold Lobb Concert Hall, University of Newcastle
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WORKSHOP: Creativity and Community

Friday 5 April 2019
Presented by Richard Short from the Sydney Story Factory. Participants will be guided through the planning of a community writing project, including the development and implementation of a wide variety of teaching activities and strategies that engage students across the full range of abilities and backgrounds. Tickets $90
Hudson Street Hum
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MASTERCLASS: Diving in and Going Deep: with Kathryn Heyman

Friday 5 April 2019
In this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to discover what matters to you as a writer and how to write it. Whether you're working on fiction or non-fiction, you'll discover what makes your voice unique, you'll try new ways of thinking about character (even in memoir) and techniques to bring your prose alive.  Tickets $100/$90 Hunter Writers Centre members
Room X207, NewSpace
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MASTERCLASS: Intensive Poetry Workshop with Les Wicks

Friday 5 April 2019
This workshop consists of three components.   Participants get in advance a strategy sheet on editing their work. At least two weeks before the class, they will submit four poems (max 30 lines each). The poems with commentary will be distributed to the participants before the workshop.   On the day of the workshop the group will work intensively through each participant’s poems building on prior suggestions and experiencing a dynamic interplay of ideas.  Tickets $220/$198 HWC Members
Room X210, NewSpace
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MASTERCLASS: Memory and Monuments

Friday 5 April 2019
This masterclass will focus on the ongoing histories of monuments, testing the implications of preservation and removal, and how memorials can be revived, reinterpreted or replaced. With Nancy Cushing, Stephen Gapps and Tamson Pietsch. Hosted by Richard Neville. Presented by the History Council of NSW with support from the University of Newcastle School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Free event.
Room X321, NewSpace
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WORKSHOP: Introduction to Crime Writing with Sandi Wallace

Friday 5 April 2019
Explore the key elements of crime fiction - how to unlock story ideas, create strong characters, tension, plot and atmospheric settings. For writers keen to start or develop their crime-writing skills in long or short form. Tickets $100/$90 Hunter Writers Centre members
Newcastle Museum
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WORKSHOP: The Writing 'I' with Ailsa Piper

Friday 5 April 2019
Developing your non-fiction persona. Whether it’s a reflective column for a magazine, a blog post, a travel memoir, or a chapter in a collection, learn how to develop and sharpen your narrative persona. An essay to read and discuss will be sent in the week prior to the workshop. Tickets $160/$144 Hunter Writers Centre members
Room X201, NewSpace
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WORKSHOP: Writing a Short Play with Carl Caulfield

Friday 5 April 2019
The masterclass will begin with an analysis of what makes an effective short play with a few examples from the genre. Carl will then take participants through the process of writing a short play, from getting ideas to drafting scenes, writing dialogue, developing character and creating dramatic structure. Finally, participants will write, using warm-up exercises and prompts. Tickets $100/$90 Hunter Writers Centre members
Room X208, NewSpace
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WORKSHOP: Writing Trauma With Meera Atkinson

Friday 5 April 2019
The prospect of writing trauma can be both daunting and compelling. Meera Atkinson invites those writing or looking to write trauma in any genre to explore this terrain. This interactive workshop features close readings of selected texts, writing exercises, and group draft workshopping with the aim of producing a piece of literary writing that illuminates individual, collective, or transgenerational trauma in some way. Tickets $180/$162 Hunter Writers Centre members
Room X204, NewSpace
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NWF Literary Trivia - Festival Fundraiser

Thursday 4 April 2019
Do you know your Capote from your Corris? Can you name every Austen novel? To celebrate the start of the 2019 Newcastle Writers Festival, we’re holding our debut literary trivia night. Funds raised will go towards planning the 2020 festival. Prizes include meal vouchers, bundles of brilliant new books, and festival passes. Small teams welcome. Tickets $15 online $20 at the door
FogHorn Brewhouse