savannah: writers' voices up north program

PROGRAM

SavannahWRITERS’ VOICES UP NORTHLiterary Festival 21 – 29 May 2015

2 Savannah: Writers’ Voices Up North

Welcome to Savannah: Writers' Voices Up North Proudly brought to you by CityLibraries TownsvilleI commend the program to you, and trust that you will enjoy the many opportunities available, from writing workshops to readings by the lake, to panel discussions. There is something for everyone in the program.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who will be helping make Savannah run smoothly. They will add so much to everyone’s experience.

The development of Townsville as a learning community is a key strategic focus for CityLibraries Townsville, and we work hard to provide programs to develop literacy and a love of reading for all ages. So in 2015, we have Savannah. I would like to congratulate the staff of CityLibraries Townsville for bringing this festival to fruition, in partnership with other members of the steering committee, the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies, Writers in Townsville, Townsville Writers and Publishers and Mary Who? Bookshop.

Please enjoy all that Savannah has to offer.

Susan Coker Executive Manager, Library Services.

A Message From The MayorThe inaugural Savannah: Writers' Voices Up North Literary Festival will be a feast for the senses with inspiring speakers, motivating workshops and diverse opportunities to hone your skills.

Townsville is the perfect location for such an event and we are proud to be welcoming some of Australia’s most prolific writers, novelists, illustrators, actors and poets.

Designed to provide insight into the writing process and inspire budding authors, the program will offer something for everyone to enjoy.

Congratulations must go to the many groups and individuals behind this program who have grown the concept from a small authors’ afternoon in 2012 to this eight-day event in 2015. However you read, whatever you read, this festival is for you.

Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill.

Welcome

FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP at Mercure TownsvilleMary Who? Bookshop will be on-site throughout the Festival with all the latest titles by our guest presenters. You can buy a book and then have it signed by the author. See pages 5, 7 and 9 for book signing times.

BOOKINGS can be made at www.townsville.qld.gov.auPLEASE NOTE: Writers Workshops require the additional purchase of a Weekend Pass.

Savannah: Writers’ Voices Up North 3

Your 2015 Festival presenters include:

Joan Beaumont

Terri Brabon

Michael Bromage

Tania Cox

Peter FitzSimons

Barbara Hannay

Sylvia Kelso

David Legge

Jarryd Luke

Hugh Lunn

David Malouf

Ian McIntosh

David Metzenthen

Glenda Millard

Joanna Murray-Smith

Judy Nunn

Brendan O’Connor

Ian See

Inga Simpson

Lindsay Simpson

RA Spratt

Liliana Stafford

Ariella Van Luyn

Bruce Venables

Frances Watts

Samuel Wagan Watson

(See pages 11 to 15 for more information on each presenter)

Festival Opening and Dinner with Peter FitzSimonsJoin us for a welcome drink on arrival and a three course dinner as we celebrate the inaugural Savannah: Writers' Voices Up North Literary Festival.

Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill will launch the Festival followed by our special guest Peter FitzSimons.

DATE: Thursday 21 May TIME: 7pm for 7.30pm start AT: Mercure Townsville Ballroom DRESS: Smart CasualCOST: $80/$75 concession BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL: Visit www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Literary Lunch By The Lakeat Mercure TownsvilleEnjoy a picnic lunch by the lake and listen to poetry readings by Samuel Wagan Watson and readings by Townsville Writers and Publishers Centre.

Lunch is available from the coffee shop or BYO picnic.

DATE: Sunday 24 May TIME: 11.30am-2.30pm AT: Mercure Townsville

Plantation Room COST: Festival Weekend Pass

Key Events


Publishing: The Inside StoryWITH IAN SEE

What happens behind the scenes at a publishing house? University of Queensland Press editor Ian See reveals how a manuscript turns into a book, what publishers and editors look for, and how writers can maximise their chances of publication. FRIDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: Festival Weekend Pass

Starting With The KISS PrincipleWITH BRUCE VENABLES

Would you like your work to be read? Bruce will share his ideas about Keeping It Short and Simple. He will show how following some easy principles can have amazing results. Time for Bruce to KISS and tell! FRIDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: $30/$27 concession

Writing FantasyWITH SYLVIA KELSO

Sylvia’s workshop will first establish what we mean by (modern) “fantasy”, distinguish different forms of current fantasy, and then cover aspects of writing fantasy, particularly world-building and the use of language. All topics will include on-the-spot writing by the workshop participants.FRIDAY: 10am-1pmCOST: $75/$70 concession

Writing A Successful Romance NovelWITH BARBARA HANNAY

Readers know exactly what they expect from a romance novel and whether you write historical romance, contemporary or suspense, you must meet these expectations in order to succeed. Award winning romance author Barbara Hannay will outline the essential components of character, plot and conflict that are unique to the genre. FRIDAY: 1pm-3pmCOST: $30/$27 concession

The Poetry Of TravelWITH LINDSAY SIMPSON

Travel inspires the imagination and transports you to another world. This workshop provides tips on how to capture stories as well as engage readers in your work. Learn what editors are looking for, how to pitch your story, and the importance of fact finding and note taking on the run. Lindsay is the author of The Australian Geographic Guide to Tasmania and runner up in the 2013 the Nature Conservatory AustralianWriting Prize for a travel memoir.FRIDAY: 2pm-5pmCOST: $75/$70 concession

One Title One Townsville: Big Book Club WITH INGA SIMPSON

The culmination of CityLibraries One Title One Townsville journey for 2015 will be the opportunity to meet the author of Nest, Inga Simpson. Inga’s second novel has been described as delightful, uplifting, evocative and optimistic. Listen to Inga talk about her writing and ask her about her latest work.FRIDAY: 6.30pm-8.30pmCOST: Festival Weekend Pass

ABC Open: Digital Stories Performance and WritingWITH MICHAEL BROMAGE

ABC Open writers perform their favourite stories to improvised music. Be entertained with the drama, intrigue, sadness and humour that human stories evoke and engage your imagination with true stories from our local writers.

Then the fun continues with writing activities that help improve your storytelling, such as ‘Two Word Stories’ and ‘Writing To Music.’ So join in and get writing!FRIDAY and SUNDAY: 3pm-5pm COST: Festival Weekend Pass

Friday 22 May


Thursday 21 MayMercure Townsville Ballroom7pm-10pm Festival Opening and Dinner with Peter FitzSimons and Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill

INFORMATION SESSIONS:

CityLibrariesWorld War 1 Education KitThe World War 1 Education Kit was constructed to support teachers and students. The kit satisfies the requirements of the Australian History Curriculum and provides insight into aspects of World War 1 history pertinent to Townsville.

Townsville City Council Education Pack The TCC Education pack is the portal to council’s

activities and programs for schools. FRIDAY: 3.30pm-5pm COST: Festival Weekend Pass

Writing From HistoryWITH HUGH LUNN, JOAN BEAUMONT AND JUDY NUNN

Hugh Lunn’s writing is autobiographical, Joan Beaumont writes from the perspective of an academic historian and Judy Nunn uses historical events as the foundation of her novels. Join these authors as they discuss the challenges of their research and writing. FRIDAY: 1pm-2.30pmCOST: Festival Weekend Pass

Friday 22 May 2015 - Register to participate at the Mercure Townsville Foyer from 9.15amMercure Townsville Burdekin Room Eacham Room Plantation Room Boardroom 1 Boardroom 3

9am-10am Mary Who? BookshopBook Signings11am-4pm: Sales and signings by local self-published authors12pm-12.30pm: Bruce Venables1pm-1.30pm: Lindsay Simpson3pm-3.30pm: Hugh Lunn, Judy Nunn andJoan Beaumont3.30pm-4pm: Barbara Hannay

10am Starting With The KISS Principle Workshop with Bruce Venables

Publishing - The Inside Story Workshop with Ian See

Writing Fantasy Workshop with Sylvia Kelso11am-12pm

12pm-1pm: Lunch Break Tinaroo Room1pm Writing From

History (See below)Writing A Successful Romance Novel Workshop with Barbara Hannay

Poetry Readingsby Townsville Bush Poetry Mates Inc.See p15.

1pm-2pm: Lunch Break

2pm The Poetry Of Travel with Lindsay Simpson

2.30pm

3pm Eacham Room ABC Open with Michael Bromage: Digital Stories performed to improvised musicplus writing activities

3.30pm CityLibraries World War 1 Education Kit Information Session(See below)

4pm

4.30pm-5pm

6.30pm-8.30pm One Title One Townsville: Meet Inga Simpson


Budding WritersWITH JUDY NUNN

Judy originally comes from a theatre background where studying texts, the human condition and working with dialogue have trained her to be a writer. She believes as long as you are literate, you can write a book, and feels there is room for all forms of books out there and the more the better. Judy will share her wisdom and experiences and give some useful tips and information to help budding writers on their journey. SATURDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: $30/$27 concession

Cultivating A Sense Of Place: Exploring Setting & DescriptionWITH INGA SIMPSON

Harness the senses to enhance your setting in fiction or non-fiction with Inga Simpson. Learn how to capture place on the page, and incorporate setting into plot and character to create evocative images and affecting detail. SATURDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: $30/$27 concession

Poetry Masterclass Portraits In PoetryWITH SAMUEL WAGAN WATSON

Samuel reveals his day to day techniques as a wordsmith either working on a manuscript, a radio play or a piece of public artwork and how the medium of words can transform your page into an engaging textual landscape. Whether you are an emerging writer or an avid scribbler come and see how you can get more out of your ideas. And please, you’ll be amongst kindred so feel free to bring some of your writing to share. SATURDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: $75/$70 concession

Shipwrecked At RiverwaySavannah Youth SegmentWITH JARRYD LUKE AND ARIELLA VAN LUYN

Explore the stories of a haunted shipwreck at Riverway. Young writers are invited to tell the tales behind the wreck, from divers and sea creatures discovering the doomed vessel to survivors re-living the accident and the ghosts that haunt the ruins. Each story will be published at www.townsvillestories.com and can be read at Riverway.

AGE GROUP: 10-15 years COST: $10WHAT TO BRING: Tablet or computer to write your story (optional)AT: Riverway Arts Centre Foyer SATURDAY: 1pm-5pm

The Festival Dinner WITH JUDY NUNN, BRUCE VENABLES AND DAVID MALOUFCome and enjoy a fabulous 3 course dinner with our inspiring presenters. COST: $90/$85 concession DRESS: Smart casualSATURDAY: 7pm AT: The Brewery Banquet CentreBOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL: www.townsville.qld.gov.au

In ConversationWITH HUGH LUNN

Join an engaging conversation with Hugh Lunn on his fascinating life and work. Chaired by Michael Clarke ABC Radio. SATURDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: Festival Weekend Pass

Saturday 23 May


Saturday 23 May - Register to participate at the Mercure Townsville Foyer from 9.15amMercure Townsville Burdekin Room Eacham Room Tinaroo Room Boardroom 1 Boardroom 39am Mary Who? Bookshop

Book Signings 9am-12pm:Sales and signings by local authors9am-9.30am: Inga Simpson and Samuel Wagan Watson9.30am-10am: Hugh Lunn and Judy Nunn

Poetry Masterclass - Portraits In Poetry with Samuel Wagan Watson

10am In Conversation with Hugh Lunn. Chaired by Michael Clarke ABC Radio.

Budding Writers Workshop with Judy Nunn

Cultivating A Sense Of Place Workshop with Inga Simpson

11am-12pm

12pm-1pm: Lunch Break2pm

Saturday 23 May - Other Venues10am-11am Best Start Storytime with Ian McIntosh. Games, songs,

rhymes and craft. See below.CityLibraries Aitkenvale4 Petunia Street, Aitkenvale.

1pm-5pm Shipwrecked At Riverway - Savannah Youth Segment with Jarryd Luke and Ariella Van Luyn.

Riverway Arts Centre Foyer20 Village Blvd, Thuringowa.

4pm-5.30pm Colin Roderick Lecture: The Autobiographical Imaginationby Joanna Murray-Smith.

JCU Medical Lecture TheatreBuilding 45, James Cook Drv, TSV.

7pm The Festival Dinner with Judy Nunn, Bruce Venables and David Malouf.

The Brewery Banquet CentreCnr Flinders and Denham Sts, CBD.

Colin Roderick Lecture WITH JOANNA MURRAY-SMITH

The Autobiographical Imagination: How whimsy, flights of fancy, and fantasy are ignited by life.

When is fiction fictional? Can we ever say “I made it up”? Writers are beholden to their childhoods and the further they think they distance themselves, the more rigorously the past carves its way into the writing life. Presented by the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies (FALS). BOOKINGS: townsville.qld.gov.au AT: JCU Medical Lecture Theatre SATURDAY: 4pm-5.30pm COST: Free

Best Start Storytime WITH IAN MCINTOSH

WATCH OUT FOR THE BICKIE MONSTER!

Join the author of this beautiful picture book for a fun session of stories, games, songs, rhymes and craft and morning tea.

AGE: 0-5 years and their caregivers SATURDAY: 10am-11amAT: CityLibraries Aitkenvale, 4 Petunia Street, Aitkenvale.COST: Free BOOKINGS: Not required


In ConversationJUDY NUNN, BRUCE VENABLES TERRI BRABON AND BRENDAN O’CONNOR

A light-hearted look at the lives of two creative couples.

The conversation will focus on how couples who both have creative or artistic careers, manage their busy schedules, their work spaces and juggle home and family life. SUNDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: Festival Weekend Pass

The Other War: Battles On The Australian Home Front - History LectureWITH JOAN BEAUMONTFor Australians there was much more to WW1 than battles, fighting and the ANZACs. The war bitterly divided Australian society and politics along fault lines that would last a generation - including loyalists and the labour movement.SUNDAY: 1pm-3pmCOST: Festival Weekend Pass

Plain Wrap To Deluxe Youth WorkshopWITH GLENDA MILLARD

An inspired workshop on where to find good ideas for stories, and how to bring them alive. Glenda will work with young people on finding inspiration and developing techniques to enhance their writing.AGE: 10+BRING: Pencils and notebookSUNDAY: 10am-1pm COST: $10AT: CityLibraries Thuringowa

Illustration WorkshopWITH LILIANA STAFFORD

Liliana talks about the process of writing and illustrating books for children. Participants will focus on her illustrations for The Stone Elephant and use crystalline tissue paper and encaustic wax to make their own paper and create a double page spread for a picture book.SUNDAY: 2.30pm-4.30pmCOST: $30/$27 concession

Dip Into Your Life:Writing MemoirWITH LINDSAY SIMPSON

By completing writing exercises to tap into your past, you learn how to connect with your inner voice. Skills from the literary toolbox include helping you to craft your writing in an engaging and readable way. The exercises allow you to practice these skills by writing in class which also tackles writer’s block. SUNDAY: 12pm-2pmCOST: $30/$27 concession

Writing About Real PeopleWITH HUGH LUNN

Many writers stop at the first hurdle because they don’t know what you can and can’t write about real people – and thus how to go about writing their own real life story. Hugh has written many books about real people and a thousand newspaper feature articles and columns in his 56 years.SUNDAY: 10am-12pmCOST: $30/$27 concession

The Amplified Author - QLD WRITERS CENTRE

What are the skills and knowledge writers need to navigate the complicated world of digital publishing? if:book Australia explores new digital literature and investigates the changing connections between writers and readers. if:book Australia has published tens of thousands of words, delivered workshops from Perth to Canberra, created real-world story adventures, and taken a complete book from concept to print in twenty-four hours.SUNDAY: 1pm-2.45pm COST: Festival Weekend Pass

The 12 Most Important Things To Be A Good WriterWITH JOANNA MURRAY-SMITHThis conversation with playwright Joanna Murray-Smith includes writing exercises - about the most useful things she’s learnt during her writing life.SUNDAY: 9.30am-11.30amCOST: $30/$27 concession

Sunday 24 May

T: 4759 4900 166 Woolcock St, Townsville.E: [email protected] W: mercuretownsville.com.au

Space is our specialty• 162 modern rooms

• Unique indoor and outdoor venues for conferences and events

• Rated ‘Top 3’ in Australia for wedding venues

• Free-form pool, tennis courts

• Modern dining in the Celsius Restaurant & Bar

Sunday 24 May - Register to participate at the Mercure Townsville Foyer from 9.15amMercure Townsville Burdekin Room Eacham Room Tinaroo Room Boardroom 1 Boardroom 39.30am Mary Who? Bookshop

Book Signings9.30-4pm: Sales and signings by local authors9.30am-10am:Hugh Lunn11.30am-12pm:Lindsay Simpson12pm-12.30pm:Judy Nunn and Bruce Venables1.30pm-2pm:Liliana Stafford2pm-2.30pm:Barbara Hannay 3pm-3.30pm:Joan Beaumont

The 12 Most Important Things To Be A Good Writer Workshop with Joanna Murray-Smith

10am In Conversation: A light-hearted look at two creative couples: Judy Nunn and Bruce Venables, and Terri Brabon and Brendan O’Connor

Writing About Real People Workshop with Hugh Lunn

11am

11.30am

12pm-1pm: Lunch Break Plantation Room Literary Lunch By The Lake 11.30am-2.30pm Picnic lunch and readings. See p3.

Dip Into Your Life: Writing Memoir Workshop with Lindsay Simpson

1pm The Other War: Battles On The Australian Home Front - History Lecture with Joan Beaumont

The Amplified Author Seminar: Navigating eBooks

2pm2.30pm Illustration

Workshop with Liliana Stafford

3pm

Afternoon Tea With A Classic: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Special guest Barbara Hannay. $25/$20 concession

ABC Open with Michael Bromage: Digital Stories performed to improvised music plus writing activities. See p4.

3.30pm

4.30pm-5pm

Afternoon Tea With A Classic WITH BARBARA HANNAY

Join special guest Barbara Hannay as we discuss Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier over afternoon tea.SUNDAY: 3pm-5pm COST: $25/$20 concession

Sunday 24 May - Other Venues10am-1pm Plain Wrap To Deluxe Storywriting Youth Workshop with

Glenda Millard.CityLibraries Thuringowa 86 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa.


Children, Youth and Schools ProgramAuthors In SchoolsOur presenters David Legge, David Metzenthen, Glenda Millard, Liliana Stafford and Frances Watts are available to inspire your students about reading, writing and illustrating. MONDAY- FRIDAY: Various timesBOOKINGS REQUIRED: See below

BOOK NOW: Visit www.townsville.gov.qld.au for more information or call Children Youth Services on 4773 8818 or email [email protected]

Professional Learning For TeachersLiliana Stafford, Frances Watts and David Legge will talk about the narrative requirements of picture books, collaborative and techniques to improve students’ writing. WEDNESDAY: 4.30pm-7pm AT: CityLibraries Aitkenvale BOOKINGS REQUIRED: $30/$27

Author Talk WITH LILIANA STAFFORDAuthor Talks For Kids: Liliana Stafford creates a fun way to learn about writing, illustrating and stories. THURSDAY: 11am-12pm: Preps to Year 31.30-2.30pm: Year 4 to Year 7 COST: $7 per child. AT: CityLibraries Aitkenvale BOOKINGS REQUIRED: See below.

Monday 25 to Friday 29 May

Best Start Storytime: Kisses For DaddyFRIDAY: 10am-11am AT: CityLibraries Aitkenvale BOOKINGS: Not required.

Best Start Storytime and Messy Play In The Park: With NanWEDNESDAY: 10am-11am AT: Cambridge Park, Vincent. BOOKINGS: Not required.

Virtual Talk WITH RA SPRATT

WEDNESDAY: 4pm-5pm AT: CityLibraries Thuringowa BOOKINGS REQUIRED: See below.

Authors On The StrandJoin us for an afternoon of words and pictures, fun, drama and mess. Meet our guest authors and illustrators and get their autographs.TUESDAY: 3.30pm-5.30pmAT: The Strand, Townsville, near the Water Park.COST: Free

National Simultaneous Storytime: The Brother's QuibbleWEDNESDAY: 10am-11am AT: CityLibraries Thuringowa COST: Free

Best Start Storytimeat Early Childhood CentresEarly Childhood Centres can book free Best Start Storytime sessions with Tania Cox, Ian McIntosh and Frances Watts.MONDAY- FRIDAY: Various timesBOOKINGS REQUIRED: See below


Meet T he Presenters

Peter FitzSimonsPeter FitzSimons is a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald. He has played rugby for Australia, co-hosted radio shows, interviewed famous people from George Bush to Diego Maradona and written 25 best-selling books in genres of Biography and Memoir, and History and Sports. Peter is Australia’s biggest-selling non-fiction author of the last ten years. Peter is the author of over 20 books including Tobruk, Kokoda and Gallipoli and biographies of Ned Kelly and Nancy Wake.

Terri Brabon Born and bred in Ayr, North Queensland, Terri began her love of Shakespeare through her work with the late Jean-Pierre Voos performing in Shakespeare Under the Stars. She has directed each production since her mentor’s passing early in 2008 and proudly keeps the tradition alive in his honour. She has worked for many theatre company’s across Australia. Terri’s TV and film credits include Underbelly, Neighbours, John Doe and The Cypriot as well as national advertising campaigns for Carlton, McDonalds and Kraft.

Michael Bromage Michael helps people develop the skills and confidence to become great writers, filmmakers and photographers. He is the ABC Open producer for North Queensland, which is based in Townsville. Michael has written jingles, composed music for advertising, and worked in post-production for films and documentaries for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. Michael specialises in story development, video production, directing and coordinating teams for multimedia production, music composition, events management, writing and photography.

Joan Beaumont Professor Joan Beaumont is an internationally recognised historian of Australia in the World Wars, Australian Defence and foreign policy, and the history of prisoners of war. She is a graduate of the University of Adelaide and the University of London (PhD), a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences of Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. Joan’s critically acclaimed Broken Nation: Australians and the Great War won the 2014 NSW Premier’s Prize. Joan has also written a number of other publications.

Tania Cox Tania was born in Ayr and is now one of Australia’s best loved picture book authors with Snap Went Chester and With Nan nominated for Children’s Book of the Year Awards. Tania’s other titles include Baby, The Scary Bear, What Makes My Mum Happy, Millies Special Something and a short story in Stories For 6 Year Old Girls.

Barbara Hannay Barbara Hannay is an Australian multi-award winning author of contemporary romance novels. Most of her 40+ books are set in rural and outback Australia. In her own version of life imitating art, Barbara and her husband currently live on a misty hillside in beautiful Far North Queensland where they keep heritage pigs, hens, ducks, turkeys and an untidy but productive garden. Author of Home Before Sundown. Her novel Zoe's Muster was short-listed for the Romance Writers Of America’s RITA® Award. Moonlight Plains was published in August 2014.


Sylvia Kelso Sylvia Kelso lives in North Queensland. She mostly writes fantasy and science fiction set in analogue or alternate Australian settings, and likes to tinker with moral swords-and-sorcery, and elements of mythology. Sylvia has published 8 novels including Amberlight and The Moving Water and both were finalists for Best Fantasy Novel in the Australian Aurealis Awards. Her short stories have appeared in Anthologies DAW and 12th Planet Press.

David Legge David has been a professional illustrator since 1986. After emigrating to Australia from England in 1989, David developed a love of children’s picture books. David strives to instill warmth and humour into his picture books. His first book Bamboozled won the Honour Book in the 1995 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Of The Year. He has collaborated on other award winning titles including Baby Boomsticks, written by Margaret Wild, Kisses for Daddy and Parsley Rabbit's Book About Books, both written by Frances Watts. He is a regular illustrator for The School Magazine.

Ian McIntosh Ian McIntosh grew up amidst the dancing brolgas on grassy plains and giant crocodiles in meandering, muddy brown rivers in the remote outback town of Normanton, in Queensland’s Gulf Of Carpentaria. Ian is a former rodeo clown, and is currently a balloon artist who regularly entertains children at birthday parties and events with his amazing balloon creations. His first children’s story Watch Out For The Bickie Monster, was self published in November 2014.

David Malouf David Malouf was born in 1934 in Brisbane, and educated at Brisbane Grammar School and the University of Queensland. He lived abroad in Europe from 1959-68 and on his return to Australia, lectured English Literature at the University of Sydney from 1968 until 1977 when he then became a full-time writer. David’s books include The Great World (Winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize), and Remembering Babylon (Winner of the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award). His most recent books are A First Place and The Writing Life.

Hugh Lunn Hugh Lunn is an Australian journalist and author. He served his journalism cadetship with The Courier-Mail and in 1964, aged 23, talked his way into “Red China” before the Cultural Revolution - a story he tells in Spies Like Us. During the 1970s Hugh won three Walkley Awards for feature writing. In 2009 Hugh was named a Queensland Icon for the State’s 150th Anniversary. Hugh has written over 15 books. The best known of these is his memoir Over The Top With Jim which became the biggest-selling Australian childhood memoir ever published.

Jarryd Luke Jarryd Luke is a Townsville resident. He has a PhD in creative writing from the Queensland University of Technology and is currently Director of the Townsville Writers and Publishers Centre. In 2011 Jarryd was shortlisted in the QUT Postgraduate Writing Prize and the State Library of Queensland Young Writers Award. His manuscript Corkscrew Section was shortlisted in the Emerging Author category of the 2013 Queensland Literary Awards. He’s been published in The Lifted Brow, M/C Journal, LiNQ and Rex.



Joanna Murray-Smith Joanna Murray-Smith is a Melbourne based Australian playwright, screenwriter, novelist, librettist and newspaper columnist. Her plays, which include Rapture, Bombshells, Nightfall and Redemption have been produced around the world. Honour and Rapture won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Best Play. Joanna’s novels are Sunnyside, Truce and Judgement Rock.

Glenda Millard Glenda Millard is a writer of children’s literature and young adult and teenage fiction. Glenda has published 23 books and is currently an ambassador for the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge. Many of Glenda’s books have been nominated in a number of literary awards including Queen Of Hearts which won the 2007 Queensland Premier’s Literacy Awards - Children’s Book Award.

David Metzenthen David Metzenthen now lives with his wife and two children in Melbourne and is one of Australia’s top writers for young people. David has received many awards for excellence, including 2003 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Wildlight, both the Queensland and NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Boys of Blood and Bone. Jarvis 24 won the CBCA Award for Book Of The Year, as well as being shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award.

Brendan O’Connor Brendan was a founding member of Jean-Pierre’s Voos’ Tropic Line Theatre. Moving to Melbourne to further his career, Brendan has been a leading actor of Glenn Elston’s Australian Shakespeare Company in Melbourne for the past 15 years. Brendan helped to devise The Bridge Project training programme and is a principal mentor. He has achieved success in film and TV including Ned Kelly, The Extra, Neighbours, Blue Heelers and City Homicide as well as appeared in national advertising campaigns. Brendan, with his partner Terri Brabon, created TheatreiNQ.

Ian See Ian See is an editor at University of Queensland Press, where he works on adult fiction and non-fiction list. Before joining UQP in 2014 he was editor of Scribe Publications in Melbourne. He studied professional writing and editing at RMIT and undertook internships at Sleepers Publishing, Meanjin and Overland.

Judy Nunn Judy Nunn’s career has been long, illustrious and multifaceted. After combining her internationally successful acting career with scriptwriting for television and radio, Judy decided to turn her hand to prose and has since developed a love of writing Australian historically-based fiction. Judy’s bestsellers include Territory, Pacific, Heritage, Maralinga and Elianne.


Ariella Van Luyn Dr Ariella Van Luyn is an English lecturer at James Cook University. She completed her practice-led PhD in Creative Writing in 2012 which investigates the dialogue between fiction writing and oral history practice in Australia. Her novel Hidden Objects, was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards 2012, in the Unpublished Manuscript Category. Ariella has also been published in OHAA Journal, Ejournalist and Text, and her creative writing is published in M/C Journal, Rex, The Lifted Brow and Voiceworks. She is chair of the editorial board of the Oral History Association of Australia Journal and co-edits LiNQ.

Bruce Venables In 1976 Bruce Venables joined the Royal Hong Kong police as an inspector, and was a launch commander and in the Tactical Unit as a platoon commander. In 1984 he took up residence in Sydney and began his career as a writer of film and television scripts. He is also well known to Australian audiences as an actor. Author of A Necessary Evil, The Time of the Dragon and a collection of poetry, The Spirit of the Bush, Bruce’s latest novel Scattered Monkeys was published in 2014.

Inga Simpson Inga Simpson began her career as a professional writer for the government before gaining a PhD in creative writing. In 2011, she took part in the Queensland Writer’s Centre Manuscript Development Program and as a result Hachette published her first novel, the acclaimed Mr Wigg. She is currently researching Australian nature writing for a PhD in English Literature. Inga’s novel Mr Wigg was shortlisted for the 2014 Indie Awards. Her new novel Nest became available in July 2014.

Lindsay Simpson Lindsay was an investigative journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald and the first female Chief Police reporter. Lindsay has taught life writing and she founded two postgraduate writing programs at the University of Tasmania and James Cook University. Lindsay Simpson is author and co-author of eight books. Brothers in Arms, co-authored with Sandra Harvey, was made into a successful six part mini-series called Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms. Other books include Honeymoon Dive with Jennifer Cooke, and Where is Daniel?, written with Bruce and Denise Morcombe in August 2014.

Liliana Stafford Liliana Stafford is an award-winning author, illustrator and artist. To Liliana, writing is like breathing and it is present in everything she does. Chiko: Book One - Through the Starting Flags and Shah both won the Hoffman Award in the WAYRBA. The Stone Elephant is the first title in which she both wrote and illustrated.

R.A. Spratt R.A. Spratt is an award winning author and television writer. Her latest book is Friday Barnes: Under Suspicion. This is the second installment in the Friday Barnes: Girl Detective series. R.A. is also known for her biographical account of the world’s most glamorous flying pig, Nanny Piggins.



Frances Watts After studying literature at university, Frances spent ten years working with some of Australia’s most talented children’s authors and illustrators as an editor, before publishing her first book, Kisses for Daddy, which is beautifully illustrated by David Legge. Her picture books include Parsley Rabbit's Book about Books, Captain Crabclaw's Crew and Goodnight Mice. She has won a number of prestigious awards including the Prime Minister’s Literary Award For Children’s Fiction and the Children’s Book Council Eve Pownall Award. She is currently working on books for junior and young adult readers.

Townsville Bush Poetry Mates Inc. are a performing, reading and writing Australian Bush Poetry group with the main aim of having fun. Two of their members have appeared in The Long Yard, reciting poetry as part of the Tamworth Poetry Festival, which is conducted every year as part of the Tamworth Country Musical Festival.

The Townsville Writers and Publishers Centre is a not for profit organisation that exists to promote a North Queensland culture of writing. The Centre hosts activities and collaborates with other groups to bring a bumper calendar of events and shared resources in our region and connect their members to writing and publishing opportunities.

Samuel Wagan Watson Samuel Wagan Watson is an award-winning Indigenous poet and professional raconteur. Born in Brisbane in 1972, he is of Munanjali, Birri Gubba, German and Irish descent. Watson writes about his observations of the everyday world and about Aboriginal culture. His writing style is direct and unstructured, rarely using capital letters. Samuel also mentors young people and presents workshops in schools. Samuel’s first collection of poems Smoke Encrypted Whispers won the 2005 NSW Premier’s Award for Book Of The Year and the Kenneth Slessor Poetry Prize.

>> Please note: This program was correct at the time of printing. Any updates or changes will be available at www.townsville.qld.gov.au or at reception on the day.

>> Special thanks to: The Foundation for Australian Literary Studies, our presenters, supporters and volunteers.

This event is proudly sponsored by:

For More Information>> CityLibraries: Flinders Street Phone: 4727 9666 Thuringowa Central Phone: 4773 8811 Aitkenvale Phone: 4727 8310

>> Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 5pm

>> Contact Us: Phone: 1300 878 001 Email: [email protected] Web: townsville.qld.gov.au

Locations1 Mercure Townsville 166 Woolcock Street, Townsville.2 CityLibraries Flinders Street Level 1 Northtown, 280 Flinders Street, Townsville.3 CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 86 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa.4 CityLibraries Aitkenvale 4 Petunia Street, Aitkenvale.5 Cambridge Park Cambridge Street, Vincent.6 Riverway Arts Centre 20 Village Boulevard, Thuringowa.7 Colin Roderick Lecture James Cook University - Medical Lecture Theatre

Building 45, James Cook Drive, Douglas.8 The Brewery Banquet Centre Corner of Flinders and Denham Streets, Townsville CBD.9 The Strand Water Park Between Oxley and Fryer Streets, Townsville Foreshore.

Townsville Airport

Magnetic IslandFerries

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savannah: writers' voices up north program

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