Writers' festival was a special treat
Riding south on the train from my third Words on the Waves writers' event, I am struck by what a special treat they are.
There is the pleasure of hearing some of my favourite writers in conversation, often with writers new to me, grouped in intelligently themed sessions and with excellent moderators.
The resultant conversations are invariably lively and thought provoking.
It would be hard to come away without a new author's works to pursue, and often with a deeper understanding of writing with which you were already familiar.
The organizers have an eye to local talent, both those published and already drawing an audience, and those emerging into this very receptive literary environment.
The venues at Ocean Beach and Umina Beach Surf Clubs are informal, comfortable and accessible.
The program and the events themselves are well organised with improvements each year.
The new shuttle bus between the venues this year was just in time for the deluge from the Heavens on Saturday.
There is an excellent mix of events during the several days of activities.
Despite the weather on one day, the 2024 festival program was well patronised, the variety in the program reflected in the diverse crowd settling in for assured entertainment.
The urge to take away a bundle of new books is well supported by the bookshop facilities at each venue - the only limitation for those of us from afar being what we could carry home.
Local residents have a real gem of a festival in Words on the Waves.
SOURCE:
Email, 7 Jun 2024
Fran Parker, Canberra