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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival
@newwritersfest.bsky.social
130 followers 45 following 160 posts
Join us at #NWF2026 from 27-29 March linktr.ee/newcastlewritersfestival
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 1d
We are thrilled to announce the five regional NSW writers who have been shortlisted for the 2025 Fresh Ink Prize.

Congratulations to Jessie Ansons, Shannon Benton, Carlie Slattery, Monique Wallace and Sylvia Wilczynski!

Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/
A yellow background with the text "2025 shortlist announced", the NWF logo and a black ink drop graphic with the text "Fresh Ink $5000 Emerging Writers Prize". A yellow background with headshots of the shortlisted writers, their names, the title of their submissions and where they live as follows: Jessie Ansons, Forever Yours, Hunter Region; Shannon Benton, Fragmented, Hunter Region. A yellow background with headshots of the shortlisted writers, their names, the title of their submissions and where they live as follows: Carlie Slattery, Glitterbomb, Northern NSW; Monique Wallace, The Unrising Sun, Hunter Region. A yellow background with a headshot of Sylvia Wilczynski, and text stating the title of her submission, The Bullet, and that she lives in Northern NSW. Information about the announcement of the prize, which will take place on 25 October at Watt Space Gallery, was also included. This is a free event, but registration is required.
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 4d
Don't miss our last combined Story Hunter workshops for 2025!

These workshops are designed for high-potential and gifted students, providing a space to work alongside other young writers from schools in our region, guided by the team at Story Hunter.

Book at events.humanitix.com/host/newcast...
A close-up shot of a child writing on paper, with the Story Hunter logo and the text 'Historical Fiction Workshops' added. Children in school uniforms participating in a Story Hunter Historical Fiction Masterclass this year, with text outlining the workshops as follows: 3 November Historical Fiction, Cameron Park - Join us at Sugar Valley Library Museum for a hands-on, informative day where our next generation of writers will have the opportunity to make their stories shine. Children in school uniforms participating in a Story Hunter Historical Fiction Masterclass this year, with text outlining the workshops as follows: 21 November Historical Fiction Newcastle - Join us at Newcastle Museum for an all-day historical fiction deep dive, focusing on artefacts and photographs from the 'Fire and Earth' exhibit that relate to the Hunter's industrial and mining history.
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 9d
We are seeking a Volunteer Coordinator!

This role is essential to the successful delivery of the 2026 festival, overseeing the recruitment, training, scheduling, and onsite support of our team of 150 volunteers.

Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/volunteer-coordinator-2025/
A group of volunteers are shown gathered in the NUspace lobby, each wearing a black shirt with orange text that says 'Newcastle Writers Festival Volunteer', and orange NWF logos. White text that says 'Work with us' and 'Volunteer Coordinator' and a white NWF logo were added. A yellow background with a black NWF logo and black text that says 'Position Overview: NWF is seeking an organised, people-focused Volunteer Coordinator to join our small, passionate team on a fixed-term contract. This is a Newcastle-based position, and the successful applicant will need to be set up to work from home. Applications close 5pm AEST 3 November 2025'.
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 10d
Thank you to presenting partner University of Newcastle, Pan Macmillan, Maclean's Booksellers and host Amy Lovat.
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 10d
A big thank you to Sally Hepworth for launching her new book Mad Mabel in Newcastle last night. Sally spoke about her inspiration for the book, her 10th, as well as the relationship at the centre of the novel.

"There's no greater love story than platonic female friendship." Go well, Mad Mabel.
Sally Hepworth and Amy Lovat sit in red chairs on stage at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. Sally is wearing a green dress, and Amy is wearing a pink dress and holding a copy of Mad Mabel. A large digital banner is behind them, and it features a yellow background, the NWF logo and Spring program branding, the text 'supported by' and the University of Newcastle logo, the text 'An Evening with Sally Hepworth' and 'Hosted by Amy Lovat,' and a black and white image of Sally. Another image of Sally and Amy on stage, but taken from further back with audience members watching in the foreground. Sally and Amy smile for a photo in front of a pull-up banner for Mad Mabel, which features a pink background, green text that says 'From New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth', the Pan Macmillan Australia logo, and an image of the front cover of Mad Mabel, which has a green background, the book title and a graphic of a young girl. Sally signs copies of her book for three women while standing at a high-top table.
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 13d
Don't miss our special event with Sally Hepworth on Tuesday evening!

Sally will discuss her new novel, Mad Mabel, with #NWF program manager Amy Lovat

🎟️ Get your tickets at events.humanitix.com/nwf-sally-he...
An Evening with Sally Hepworth
Celebrate the launch of best-selling author Sally Hepworth's new book Mad Mabel.
events.humanitix.com
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 14d
Griffin Dunne sits down with festival director Rosemarie Milsom to discuss his memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club, his star-studded childhood, decades-long Hollywood career, and the glamour and tragedy of his larger-than-life family.

Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/nwf-griffin-...
A yellow background with the NWF logo, the text 'An Evening with Griffin Dunne', an image of the front cover of Dunne's book, The Friday Afternoon Club and the NWF Spring Program branding (quarter circles grouped in a flower shape), in black down the right side. A yellow background with the NWF logo, a black and white photo of Dunne smiling at the camera, the NWF Spring Program branding and the text 'Actor, producer and director Griffin Dunne will discuss his dazzling memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club – an exploration of what it means to come from a family of storytellers and secret-keepers while building a career in Hollywood', 'Thursday 23 October at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. Tickets $40.’
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · 26d
For half a century, Bob Brown has been standing up to the powerful interests who would put profit before planet. In his new book Defiance, he draws on this experience to inspire a new generation of individual and collective action.

Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom

🎟️ events.humanitix.com/nwf-BOB-BROWN/
An Evening with Bob Brown
Bob Brown discusses his new book Defiance: Stories from Nature and its Defenders with Newcastle Writers Festival director Rosemarie Milsom.
events.humanitix.com
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Sep 9
Join journalists Eric Beecher and @squigglyrick.bsky.social as they shed light on the state of media and what it means for the future of democracy. Hosted by Kylie Morris at #NWF2025

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/
Eric Beecher is shown speaking into a microphone while gesturing with one hand. Rick Morton is shown speaking into a microphone while gesturing with one hand
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Sep 9
Join us for an evening with US actor, director, producer and New York Times best-selling author Griffin Dunne. He will speak with festival director Rosemarie Milsom about his family memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club, and his career in film and television.

🎟️ events.humanitix.com/nwf-griffin-...
A black and white photo of Griffin Dunne smiling at the camera, with the NWF Spring Program branding (quarter circles grouped in a flower shape), in yellow and black down the right side. A yellow background with an image of the front cover of Griffin's book, The Friday Afternoon Club, and information about the event as follows. ‘An Evening with Griffin Dunne, Thursday 23 October at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. Tickets $40.’
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Sep 2
Helen Garner returns with her signature candour and wit in an exuberant new book The Season, an account from the sidelines of the highs and lows of her youngest grandson’s footy team.

Helen spoke with NWF director Rosemarie Milsom at #NWF2025

🎧 www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/
Helen Garner is shown smiling while holding a microphone A yellow background with a graphic of a microphone and the text, 'Stories to you.', 'Listen wherever you get your podcasts' and 'newcastlewritersfestival.org.au'
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Sep 1
Submissions for the 2025 Fresh Ink Prize close 23.59pm AEST 8 September!

Learn more and submit at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize/
2025 Fresh Ink Prize now open - Newcastle Writers Festival 2026
Newcastle Writers Festival is inviting emerging writers living in regional NSW to submit to the 2025 Fresh Ink Emerging Writers Prize. The prize seeks to elevate marginalised voices and acknowledges.....
www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 31
Join us for an evening with best-selling writer Sally Hepworth, who will discuss her new novel Mad Mabel with #NWF program manager Amy Lovat.

Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/nwf-sally-he...
A black and white photo of Sally Hepworth smiling at the camera, with the NWF Spring Program branding (quarter circles grouped in a flower shape), in yellow and black down the right side. A yellow background with an image of the front cover of Sally’s book, Mad Mabel, and information about the event as follows. ‘An Evening with Sally Hepworth, Tuesday 30 September at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. Tickets $35.’
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 26
In his book Always Was, Always Will Be, @thomasmayo.bsky.social investigates 'what's next?' for reconciliation and justice in Australia after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum. He spoke with Clare Wright at #NWF2025.

🎧 Listen at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/
Thomas Mayo is shown smiling while holding a microphone. Thomas is shown standing and speaking while Clare Wright sits beside him, listening. A yellow background with a graphic of a microphone and the text, 'Stories to you.', 'Listen wherever you get your podcasts' and 'newcastlewritersfestival.org.au'
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 25
Join us for the first event in our Spring Program, the launch of Newcastle poet Keri Glastonbury's 51 Alterities, a collection that satirically reimagines our era of chaos and chicanery.

Hosted by poet and editor Chris Brown.

FREE event. Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/book-launch-...
A black and white photo of Keri Glastonbury smiling at the camera, with the NWF Spring Program branding (quarter circles grouped in a flower shape), in yellow and black down the right side. A yellow background with an image of the front cover of Keri's book, 51 Alterities, and information about the event as follows. 'Book Launch: Keri Glastonbury's 51 Alterities, Saturday 20 September at Watt Space Gallery. Free event, but registration required.'
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 24
High potential and gifted students in Stage 3 (years 5 & 6) are invited to join us at our upcoming Story Hunter workshops.

Schools are encouraged to send a small group of up to 12 students accompanied by a supervising teacher or adult.

Book online at events.humanitix.com/host/newcast...
A child wearing a school uniform and participating in Story Hunter's Historical Fiction Masterclass in April this year, with the Story Hunter logo and the text 'Upcoming Combined Workshops' added. A child wearing a school uniform and participating in the Historical Fiction Masterclass with text added as follows: 11 September Flash Fiction (Charlestown) - Come along to Charlestown Library to learn essential elements of crafting a story, in a day packed full of games, inspiration and writing. A close up shot of a child writing with text added as follows: 23 September Flash Fiction (Newcastle) - Held in the Lovett Gallery of Newcastle City Library, join the Story Hunter guides for a day of fun and turn your ideas into a short story. Several children wearing school uniforms touching a historical artefact during our Historical Fiction Masterclass, with text added as follows: 21 November Historical Fiction Newcastle - Join us at Newcastle Museum for a day full of hands-on activities blending fact and fiction to create your own story inspired by the past!]
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 19
For 25 years, award-winning author Michelle de Kretser has been dazzling readers with her novels. She spoke with Kate Evans about craft, creativity, and the enduring influence of Virginia Woolf at #NWF2025.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts
Michelle de Kretser is shown speaking into a microphone while gesturing with one hand. A stack of Michelle's book, Theory & Practice, on a table. A yellow background with a graphic of a microphone and the text, 'Stories to you.', 'Listen wherever you get your podcasts' and 'newcastlewritersfestival.org.au'
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 17
We were thrilled to attend the launch of Salsa in the Suburbs by Alejandra Martinez, winner of the 2022 Fresh Ink Prize ✨

Emerging writers living in regional NSW are invited to submit to the 2025 Prize.

Learn more and submit at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize/
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 13
From larger-than-life adventures to vivid and poignant tales of the imagination, no one tells a yarn quite like Jimmy Barnes. He spoke with Richard Glover at #NWF2025.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/
Jimmy Barnes is shown speaking into a microphone on stage at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. A yellow background with a graphic of a microphone and the text, 'Stories to you.', 'Listen wherever you get your podcasts' and 'newcastlewritersfestival.org.au'.
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 7
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Festival Producer to support the presentation of the 2026 festival and other events.

‼️ Applications close 5pm AEST 1 September. Learn more and apply at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/festival-producer-role/
Work with us - Newcastle Writers Festival 2026
Newcastle Writers Festival is seeking a highly organised and proactive Festival Producer to support the presentation of the 2026 festival and other events. This part-time role is ideal for someone...
www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 7
David Owen Kelly’s Host City fuses memoir with alternative history to spin a tale of joy and survival. He speaks with Keri Glastonbury.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/
David Owen Kelly is shown gazing upwards while holding a microphone and gesturing with his free hand. Keri Glastonbury is out of focus in the foreground, also holding a microphone. A yellow background with a graphic of a microphone and the text, 'Stories to you.', 'Listen wherever you get your podcasts' and 'newcastlewritersfestival.org.au'
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Aug 6
We are delighted to announce a special Spring Program featuring an exciting lineup of Australian and international writers.

Learn more and book tickets at collections.humanitix.com/2025-nwf-spr...
2025 Newcastle Writers Festival Spring Program | Humanitix
We are excited to present a Spring Program from 20 September to 25 October featuring three Australian writers and an international guest. Plus we will be announcing the winner of this year's Fresh Ink...
collections.humanitix.com
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newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Jul 29
Courtney Collins, Hayley Scrivenor, and Jessie Tu open up to Amy Lovat about imposter syndrome, creative blocks, and debunk second-book blues.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/
Hayley Scrivenor smiles while speaking into a microphone, with Jessie Tu laughing behind her, during the First Time Lucky? Overcoming Second Book Syndrome panel at our 2025 festival. Jessie Tu speaks into a microphone while gesturing with one hand. Courtney Collins smiles with her head resting on her hand while listening to someone speak. A yellow background with a graphic of a microphone and the text, 'Stories to you.', 'Listen wherever you get your podcasts' and 'newcastlewritersfestival.org.au'
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Jul 22
In their most recent novels, Melanie Cheng, Raeden Richardson, and Molly Schmidt grapple with the turbulent relationship between love and loneliness. They speak to Steph Harmon about the complexities of grief.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at bit.ly/4mPqnat
Melanie Cheng is shown laughing while holding a microphone during the On Love and Loneliness event at our 2025 festival. A side-on shot of Raeden Richardson speaking into a microphone Molly Schmidt smiling while holding a microphone. A yellow background with a graphic of a microphone and the text, 'Stories to you.', 'Listen wherever you get your podcasts' and 'newcastlewritersfestival.org.au'
newwritersfest.bsky.social
Newcastle Writers Festival @newwritersfest.bsky.social · Jul 20
We are inviting emerging writers living in regional NSW to submit to the 2025 Fresh Ink Emerging Writers Prize ✨

Learn more and submit at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize/
A yellow background with the NWF logo, a black ink drop graphic with the text 'Fresh Ink $5000 Emerging Writers Prize' and the text '2025 Submissions open'. A yellow background with the Fresh Ink graphic and the text 'Who can enter - Emerging writers over the age of 18 who live in regional New South Wales. You must be an Australian citizen or Australian resident. A yellow background with the Fresh Ink graphic and the text 'What to submit - Bio without identifying details, Publishing history without identifying details, Professional development plan with concrete details, Sample of writing of between 2000 and 3000 words, as well as a precis.' A yellow background with the Fresh Ink graphic and the text 'When to submit - Submissions close at 23.59pm AEST 8 September 2025. Please read the submission guidelines and terms and conditions before entering. newcastlewritersfestival.org.au
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