Ticket sales have opened for the Batemans Bay Writers Festival, to be held on the June long weekend.
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High profile Australian writers, including crime writer Gabrielle Lord, Sydney Morning Herald literary editor Susan Wyndham, essayist and novelist Linda Jaivin and self-publishing guru Nikki Cooper, will present sessions.
There will be chances for budding authors and avid readers to meet and learn from the experts.
Festival director Marion Roubos-Bennett said the festival would open at the Coachhouse Marina Resort on the evening of Friday, June 5, with a light-hearted session, ‘Technology brought to book! Bound books are better than e-books’.
“E-book publishing is a valid option for writers, particularly those just starting out,” Ms Roubos-Bennett said.
“However, there is still a strong commitment to good, old-fashioned print publishing.
“Our Friday night debate, ‘Kindlers versus Paperbackers’ will assemble a group of authors, readers and experts to debate the pros and cons of each.”
School students can attend sessions free of charge, an opportunity for book-lovers and the authors of the future to interact with some of Australia’s most prolific and successful writers.
“Linda Jaivin is presenting a free session tailored to high school students on Sunday, June 7,” Ms Roubos-Bennett said.
“Linda will talk about why writing matters, and how a budding writer can put their thoughts down on paper.
“There are many issues that are important to young folk, such as climate change, conservation, social equality and other political issues.
“Linda will show how writing is a way for students to find their voice.”
Ms Roubos-Bennett said poet and comic performer Harry Laing would hold a writing workshop on Saturday, June 6, one that is sure to be engaging and informative. The workshop is for 16 years and over and is free for students.
“Harry’s poetry presentations and workshops are always full of laughs, and students will enjoy his humour and vitality as they learn,” Ms Roubos-Bennett said.
“He’ll use games and exercises to reveal talents that can be channelled into artforms such as monologue and rap.”
School students can also attend a creative writing, creative researching and creative interviewing workshop, and an author talk with James Bradley, author of the Australian history novel Wrack, which is on the HSC list for 2015.
All these sessions will also be open to festival ticket holders.
Tickets are available now, and range from full platinum passes to weekend tickets, day tickets and individual workshop sessions.
Visit www.batemansbaywritersfestival.com.au for further program and booking information.