Writers' festival offers low-cost sessions
Words on the Waves writers' festival will hold a number of low-cost standalone sessions in a marquee at Umina oval this year.
The venue will be known as The Dip and will host sessions that range from a booking fee of $3.50 to $10 plus booking fee.
Organisers said the programming stream was created in response to feedback from people wanting free and low-cost events that could be purchased "as standalones" and funding from Create NSW to make it possible.
The stream would "open up to books that might not normally be spied on a writers' festival lineup".
The 45-minute sessions will be held on Saturday, June 1, with a Family Fun Day with free and low-cost events for children and teenagers at the same venue on Sunday, June 2.
The first Saturday session is available for the cost of a $3.50 booking fee.
Central Coast Reads with Judy Nunn will start at 8:30am.
It is promoted as "a cosy book club chat about her breathtaking historical novel Khaki Town."
At 9:30am, the topic is Rom-Com Lovers Unite, with writers Rachael Johns, Natalie Murray and James Colley.
At 10:30am, You Think You Know aims to debunk many of the myths and misconceptions around mental health diagnoses.
Speaking will be certified practising counsellor Tammi Miller, writer and podcaster Elfy Scott and journalist Jill Stark.
Creativity is Good For You is the topic at 11:45am with Creative First Aid team Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose, who will talk about how and why creativity is an essential tool for accessing joy, connection, and delight to support mental health and wellbeing.
In Uncovering History at 1pm, Grace Karskens, Sue Williams and James Vella Bardon will talk with moderator Catharine Coleborne.
Get Cooked with Nat's What I Reckon will be held at 3pm, joined by pal Cheryl Akle from Better Reading, in a conversation about good-time meals, mental health, success and more.
Anna Downes will celebrate the launch of her third novel Red River Road at 4:30pm with moderator Adrienne Ferreira.
In Debut Crew Revue at 7pm, six debut authors will have readings and conversation, with musical interludes and mingling by the on-site bar.
The Family Fun Day on the Sunday starts at 9am.
Sessions include story-telling and didgeridoo, dancing, an "epic illustrator showdown", a singalong, "Macca and Mayhem", and When the Station Bell Rings book launch.
There will be a beach-themed word and craft workshop, puppet-making and a Beats and Body Groove workshop, story tellers, mandala-making.
SOURCE:
Media release, 25 Apr 2024
Words on the Waves