The Secret Reading Melbourne August 2026
Description
Spend the afternoon among fellow book lovers as we gather with 6 incredible local fantasy authors. This is a one of a kind bookish event that will connect you to like-minded people in a cozy and warm atmosphere.
Fire - Ignite The Writer Within Workshop
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 am
Are you an aspiring author? Your thoughts of being a writer don’t need to be reserved for your daydreams. It’s time for you to nurture the calling you have within you and explore your writing potential. In this two-hour workshop, Mandi will take you through how to explore and map out your ideas so you can get them down on paper. Sharing templates and techniques to help you discover your characters, build the vision and plot. No more staring at a blank screen, feeling lost on where to start. It’s time for you to fight the inner editor holding you back and realise the potential you hold inside.
Included:
2 hour intimate coaching session with writing mindset mentor and fantasy author Mandi Kontos
A notepad to put your brainstorming in
A creative potion to help get you started
All information slides and templates for you to reflect on and use
Panel - The Mind Behind The Fantasy
Time: 12:30 - 1:45 pm
Join our six incredible authors as we lead in a discussion on "the mind behind the fantasy and untold secrets". This will be perfect if you want to discover new authors who are local to our community. It's also perfect if you're a long time lover of their worlds and want to know the why behind their books. We will also be including some questions all about the untold stories they hold in becoming a published author.
Overall themes in their book included:
Found family
Royal families
Strong FMC
Vampires
Spice
High fantasy
Heidst
Elemental magic
Political intrigue
Mages
Shifters
Fated mates
Urban fantasy
Faes
Pre-Order Your Book
Secure your books from our 6 incredible fantasy authors today by making a pre-purchase through the link below.
Sponsers
This Enchanting Realms Event is proudly sponsored by Charmed Coven Candels, Tea By The Bay and Celestin
Agenda
- 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Fire - Ignite The Writer Within Workshop
Are you an aspiring author? Your thoughts of being a writer don’t need to be reserved for your daydreams. It’s time for you to nurture the calling you have within you and explore your writing potential. In this two-hour workshop, Mandi will take you through how to explore and map out your ideas so you can get them down on paper. Sharing templates and techniques to help you discover your characters, build the vision and plot. No more staring at a blank screen, feeling lost on where to start. It’s time for you to fight the inner editor holding you back and realise the potential you hold inside. Included in your ticket is: 2 hour intimate coaching session with writing mindset mentor and fantasy author Mandi Kontos A notepad to begin your brainstorming in A creative potion to help get you started All information slides and templates for you to reflect on and use What to bring: Laptop fully charged - if you prefer to type Sense of wonder An open mind Your writing idea
Attending Authors
Mandi Kontos
Mandi is a writer, writing practice coach and dreamer empowering the writerly insides of those who choose to step up to the challenge that is just beyond their keyboards. She is breaking internal editors, sabotages and procrastinators to bring writing into the lives of everyday women and men. Mandi aims to help them feel at home inside their haven created by a thriving writing practice that empowers and motivates writers to get more out of their stories and lives. With a Bachelor of Art, Bachelor of Writing and Publishing and Master in Creative Writing she has used her degrees to help give back the education and support she received through her tertiary education. She is the host of The Writing Apothecary Podcast where she explores writing with a holistic view thanks to her academic background. She is also the author of The Nexus Series with Faded Fragments and Fractured Pieces starting the journey of her hexology to come.
MG Hunt
MG Hunt is a fantasy author, based in Melbourne/Naarm, Australia. Her debut novel Still Waters Run Deep is a tale of elemental magic and mystery, drawing readers into a richly imagined universe filled with vivid characters and captivating adventures. In her personal life, MG Hunt is a graphic designer and illustrator. She enjoys creating art and visual representations of her written work. She also is the host of the Indie Author Life Show, with audio and video episodes available on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Youtube.
S.k Stapar
S. K. Stapar is an adult romantasy author specialising in cursed magic, gripping secrets and agonising romance. Her stories blend elements of Slavic tales and culture into original fantasy worlds, rife with tension. When not writing, you will find her endlessly reading romantasy, gardening or chauffeuring her little pup Ivy to cafe dates with her husband.
Leila Thorne
Leila Thorne is an open-door spicy romance author based in Melbourne, Australia. She writes romantasy novels filled with feminine rage and mafia romances where the protagonist knows her power and never waits for anyone to rescue her. When she isn’t writing smut she’s either reading or listening to it. The longer the trigger list, the better.
SK.May
S.Anne
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