Program
Inspiring readers and writers alike, our packed three-day program celebrates the best of Australia’s literary landscape: joyful, thought-provoking and thrilling opportunities to connect with the written word, and each other. Weekend and day passes, workshops and special events are on sale now.
Program at a Glance:
Tickets:
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
Everyone is invited to join us on the Carrington Lawn for the Festival Welcome to Dharug and Gundungurra land.
ASK AUNTY
Join Charmaine Ledden-Lewis and Aunty Munya Andrews with Cheryl Leavy to celebrate a deeper connection with land, waters and skies. Contribute to a collaborative mural celebrating First Nations seasons and enjoy readings with these three exceptional authors and illustrators.
BOOK SWAP WITH BLUE MOUNTAINS PARENTS FOR CLIMATE
Parents for Climate Action Blue Mountains and Sharon Baldwin from Loose Parts Press invite you to save money and reduce your consumption by joining in our Festival book swap. Bring three books that your kids no longer read and go home with new (to you!) pre-loved books from other local families.
ANIMALS WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WITH SAMI BAYLY
Join Sami Bayly for a jam-packed session about nature, science and animals, complete with drawing demonstrations and creative activities. You’ll hear incredible animal adaptation stories, learn a bunch of fun collective nouns and maybe even discover a gross fact or two!
ABC DISABILITY WITH PARALYMPIAN SARAH ROSE
Join three-time Paralympian swimmer and medal-winner Sarah Rose, author of the newly released ABC Disability, a big-hearted A-Z guide to disability that’s written especially for kids. Learn the Auslan alphabet and leave feeling more equipped to understand and champion difference.
POVO Stories from The Lucky Country with Sara M Saleh, Victor Guan Yi Zhou, Natalia Figueroa Barroso, Adrian Mouhajer, Adam Novaldy Anderson and Winnie Dunn
Join Sweatshop Literacy Movement for readings from POVO, an original and eclectic new anthology that reveals the true wealth of the cultural melting pot that is Australia.
THE LOST GHOSTS OF KATOOMBA LIBRARY
Lovers of spooky tales and clever mysteries are invited to join author Antony Mann and Creative Director of Word Travels Miles Merrill to discover their inner ghostbuster. Go on a ghost hunt through Katoomba Library to see what – or whooooo – you can find, then write your own ghost story set in the Blue Mountains.
THE EPIC QUESTS OF EMILY RODDA
A Blue Mountains local, the legendary Emily Rodda is one of Australia's best-known children's authors, having written more than 100 books. Don’t miss your chance to meet the author of one of the most successful children's fantasy series ever published, Deltora Quest, and fall in love with her latest series, Landovel, an epic 'three parts in one' fantasy quest, an adventure unlike any you've read before.
STORY FACTORY'S PRESCRIPTION POETRY BOOTH
Let the students and staff of Story Factory provide healing and literary nourishment to soothe whatever ails you.
CRITIC SWALLOWS BOOK James Jiang, Yumna Kassab and Ivor Indyk
What is the value of arts criticism and what is its future in times of increased funding pressures? Don’t miss this free festival event with contributors to Critic Swallows Book, a collection from Sydney Review of Books that brings together 22 essays, demonstrating the eclecticism of Australian criticism.
DEFAMATION LAW FOR WRITERS Free Arts Law Workshop
Join the Arts Law Centre of Australia for an overview of Australian defamation law and recent cases, as well as tips on how to balance defamation risk and expression as a writer in Australia.
LEGAL ISSUES 101 FOR WRITERS Free Arts Law Workshop
Join the Arts Law Centre of Australia for this workshop that will outline some practical tips for writers in avoiding scandals or other legal pitfalls.
A Line in the Sand: Red Room Poetry Showcase
A Line in the Sand brings together over 80 pieces from our leading poets and public figures in a retrospective that covers twenty years of contemporary Australian poetry.
A Wide and Open Land – Walking the Last of Western Sydney’s Woodlands
Join Peter Ridgeway and Bianca Nogrady as they discuss the intricate connections between land, community and culture.
Balancing Defamation Risk and Expression as a Writer
This free session will provide an overview of Australian defamation law and recent case history, discussing how writers can best deal with defamation risk.
Ten Things You Need to Know About Publishing Agreements
During this session Katherine Giles, from the Arts Law Centre of Australia, will take you through the ten things she loves about publishing agreements – and what to try to change if you’re unsure about the one that arrives in your inbox!
The Power of Storytelling with Maryam Master
Join Maryam to hear about her career as a writer and No Words, her compassionate and hopeful book based on her own experiences of fleeing persecution. Suitable for ages 7 upwards.
The Writing Zone Cabaret with Laneikka Denne, Kim Pham and Sarah Carroll, facilitated by Ellen O'Brien
Join outstanding young scriptwriters and actors Laneikka Denne (Feminazi; Belvoir), Sarah Carroll (Cherry; KXT) and screenwriter Kim Pham as they bring sass and sparkle to a wickedly funny afternoon cabaret in the Baroque Room, hosted by poet Ellen O’Brien.
We Could Be Something, with Will Kostakis
Meet Will Kostakis, one of Australia’s leading YA writers, and get to know his new book, We Could Be Something.
Climate Clinic with Claire O’Rourke and Chris Darwin
In need of a fierce hope injection? Smash the doom and gloom and join us for this free session with climate activist and author Claire O’Rourke as she talks with Chris Darwin about actions you can take now and answer your questions about how to make a difference.
Create Your Own Adventure, with Pearly and Pig and their sidekick, Sue Whiting
Join storyteller Sue Whiting as your children spin the Wheel of Adventure, draw a story map and discover the secrets of becoming a top-secret stealth adventurer.
RFS Fire Truck Storytime
Come along and hitch a ride on the Katoomba-Leura RFS Fire Truck and have a story book reading at the same time. Perfect for ages 3 and upwards.
Where is the Gruffalo?
Go on a hunt, find the clues and see if you can catch the Gruffalo for a storytime adventure.
The Telling of Forgotten Stories, with Deirdre O'Connell and Michelle Cahill
How do you write narratives that aren’t centred around the powerful, but instead explore the lives of those who have been marginalised and forgotten?
A Place for the Imagination to Run Wild
Join artist Leigh Hobbs, former Australian CHildren’s Laureate and well-known children’s author and illustrator in conversation with Sheryl Cootes.
In Case of Fire: Poetry Readings with Blue Mountains Poets
Join us at The Avalon to hear prominent and emerging local poets, as featured in the collection In Case of Fire, Poems from the Blue Mountains.
Under the Spotlight: New Work from Western Sydney
Hear exceptional writers perform readings of their latest works in the eclectic theatre setting of The Baroque.
Get Drawing with Deadly Duo Charmaine Ledden-Lewis and Dub Leffler
Join Charmaine Ledden-Lewis and Dub Leffler as they get you inspired to create your own stories with pictures.
Why did Mr Chicken Cross the Road? To meet Leigh Hobbs, One of Australia's Most-loved Author-Illustrators
Prepare to laugh out loud with Leigh Hobbs and his hilarious characters who are always up to something mischievous.
Deadly Science: When Cool Inventions Collide with Ancient Wisdom. With Corey Tutt and Cassie McCullagh
Listen to Corey Tutt and Cassie McCullagh discuss how First Nations people passed on wisdom from the land, sea and sky through ancient stories that are important lessons in science to this day. A great session for families!
Leaping into Waterfalls: Bernadette Brennan on the life and work of the enigmatic Gillian Mears
Literary biographer Bernadette Brennan describes sensuality and sexuality as the driving forces behind the life and writing of Gillian Mears.
That's not a Llama - it's Macca the Alpaca!
It's time to go crackers with Matt Cosgrove, creator of Macca the Alpaca. Lots of laughs, snorts and silliness to be had. And remember, no spitting.
Cooee Mittigar Storytime and Craft with Jasmine Seymour and Leanne Mulgo Watson
Join Darug creators Jasmine Seymour and Leanne Mulgo Watson for this wonderful children’s session, with storytelling, craft and songs.