William McInnes, one of Australia’s most critically acclaimed all-round actors and author of five best-selling books, will feature along with other notable authors at this year’s Lines in the Sand Readers and Writers Festival in Hervey Bay from September 14 to 16.
“The festival is a great opportunity to bring some of the best Australian writers and thinkers to the region,” Culture, Arts and Environment Portfolio Councillor David Lewis said.
“It will be interesting to hear what they have to say and discuss issues and writing with them.”
During the festival, aspiring and published authors from the region can attend a mixture of free and paid workshops, lectures, meet and greets and book signings.
“There are many book clubs on the Fraser Coast, as well as aspiring writers, self-published and published authors,” Cr Lewis said.
“Lines in the Sand will bring all kinds of writers together to talk with each other about styles, share ideas and discuss publishing.
“To be able to meet professional writers and talk about their craft is a great opportunity.”
Cr Lewis said the festival was not just for writers.
“There will also be lectures by the managing director of Boolorong Press, Dan Kelly, on how to be published, and plenty of opportunities for readers to enjoy themselves.”
While the lectures will be free, there is a small cost for some of the workshops. Spaces at the lectures and workshops are limited so bookings are essential.
Bookings can be made at any Fraser Coast Library, by phoning the Library on 4197 4220, or by emailing library@frasercoast.qld.gov.au.
Copies of the program are available from Fraser Coast Libraries or on line at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/libraries.
Guest speakers:
William McInnes – Equally at home in theatre, film and television, William has played lead and supporting roles in some of the most successful and memorable productions this country has had to offer. William’s first book A Man’s Gotta Have a Hobby, won a 2006 Australian Book industry award, William has the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor for Look Both Ways.
Gary Crew is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He writes short stories, novels and picture books. He is interested in researching the creative links between fiction and non-fiction in his novels and the creative interface between print text and visual text in his picture books. Crew has published over 80 novels and illustrated books internationally.
Shelley Davidow is an award-winning international author of 44 books. Writing across genres, her recent non-fiction titles include Shadow Sisters, Whisperings in the Blood, Playing with Words, and Fail Brilliantly, as well as Raising Stressproof Kids. She is a lecturer in the School of Education at the University of the Sunshine Coast and lives near the beach with her family.
Steven Lang is the author of three novels. His first novel, An Accidental Terrorist, won Premier’s Literary Awards in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as being short-listed for the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize and long-listed for the Miles Franklin. His second novel, 88 Lines About 44 Women, was short-listed for the Fiction Award in Queensland and the Christina Stead Award for Fiction in the New South Wales Premiers’ Awards. Steven’s most recent novel is Hinterland, and is currently short-listed for the ALS Gold Award for Fiction.
Paul Williams has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin, USA, and is Discipline Leader of Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he teaches the Master of Professional Practice (Creative Writing). Paul’s books have been set in schools and universities across the world. His short stories have appeared in Meanjin (Australia), Social Alternatives (Australia), Chicago Quarterly Review (USA), New Writing (UK), New Contrast (South Africa), and Mazwi (Zimbabwe).
Dan Kelly is General Manager of Boolarong Press. Dan has grown the business over the past 11 years. Boolarong was established in 1976 to promote Queensland authors as all major publishing companies were situated in Sydney and Melbourne and their focus was international and southern authors. While Boolarong Press’ initial success was in publishing art books and prints, it is now the largest publisher of Queensland History and Queensland memoirs and biographies. With over 380 books in print and over 1,000 books published, Boolarong has included the genres of fiction, Australiana children’s and Australian outback stories.
