Fifth Whitsunday Writers’ Festival

Preparations are underway for the fifth annual Whitsunday Writers’ Festival.  A new committee has been formed and they are hoping the festival will grow to become a large scale community event as well as literary destination.  The festival will kick-off on Friday the 10^th October with an opening ceremony to be held at the VMR.  “We want the days to be all about writing, reading, books and words – at night though, the festival will change shape – hosting live theatre performances, a comedy night and a long-table lunch with live music on the last day – it is going to be a great opportunity for anyone living in the area who is interested to get involved”.  Gloria Burley founded the festival in 2009 hosting the event at both Coral Sea Resort and Daydream Island.  Past authors have included Susan Wyndham, Literary Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and David Hill former head of the ABC.  The festival will be divided into five streams – travel writing, self-publishing, memoirs/life stories, writing methodology and the love of reading . It is an intimate festival with venues chosen for their outdoor, beautiful setting – a place for people to be inspired – get together and exchange thoughts, words and ideas.

This year Peter Fitzsimons is the key speaker – he has written 25 books and is the most prolific non fiction writer in Australia.  David Reiter, is a publisher who will show us how to blog, give budding authors a publisher's point of view and even offer the opportunity to talk to him directly about your book. Jenni Ogden will offer case histories from her dealings with people suffering from brain tumours and the like.  Other speakers will present talks and workshops on varied subjects.

Tickets will be on sale from lst July and can be bought directly through the website.  People can buy tickets to individual events with ticket prices starting from $25 and three-hour workshops from $90.  There will also be free events open to anybody but bookings are essential and will fill up fast.
For free newsletter please send your details to GloriaBurley@bluepeace.com.au.

If you would like to be involved in this event you can call 0450 636 4920450 636 492.  

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WHITSUNDAY WRITERS FESTIVAL 12-14 JULY 2013

The fourth festival promises to be diverse and informative.  Friday 12^th July there will be a thriller writing workshop with L.A. Larkin, who studied Literature at the University of London and then emigrated here.  She became a publisher and returned to University of Sydney to study Corporate Responsibility amongst other things.  Her latest novel is set in Antarctica where she spent time researching her subject.  Welcome drinks around the pool in the evening where participants and speakers can mix and mingle.

On Saturday L.A. Larkin is joined by Dr. Tony Ayling who has written about a dozen books on the subject of marine biology and will give us an update on the Great Barrier Reef.  Dr Anita Heiss is a member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors of Aboriginal literature.   She is an author, a poet and the recipient of many awards.  Joyce Morgan has worked as a journalist for more than three decades in London, Sydney and Hong Kong. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Bangkok Post and The Dawn (Pakistan). She is a former arts editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and now a senior arts writer. She has also worked as a radio producer with ABC radio.Conrad Walters has worked in the media for more than thirty years in the United States, where he won awards for investigative journalism, and in Australia, where he is a senior feature writer and book reviewer at The Sydney Morning Herald. 
This promises to be an entertaining weekend where authors and guests will mix over wine and good food. Special rates at Coral Sea Resort for participants, book direct.

COST

$95 Thriller writing workshop
Full Conference Friday evening until after lunch Sunday $595.00 (twin share basis) Includes : Two nights luxury Bayview accommodation at Coral Sea Resort, arrival cocktail party with drinks and canapés, full day conference Saturday and half day Sunday with morning and afternoon tea and lunches. Divine degustation dinner (5 course) with speakers Saturday night in the award winning Clipper Restaurant.
Conference only rates available.  Please email or call Gloria for details.

TO BOOK

Send cheque to Whitsunday Writers Festival, P O Box 1400, Airlie Beach 4802 or
Direct payment Commonwealth Bank account 064826 10220777 and send email to GloriaBurley@bluepeace.com.au.

Call Gloria on 0422026793 for further details. Jetstar or Virgin Flights to Hamilton Island or Proserpine can be booked through your local agent.