Join us in Thirroul over the weekend of 13-14 July for the 2024 South Coast Readers and Writers Festival!

With a festival line-up featuring an array of stellar award-winning authors, talented new voices, acclaimed poets, broadcasters and thinkers, and over 18 sessions to choose from, the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival promises a weekend filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring conversations.

Click here for information about accessibility and how to get there.

FIRST GUESTS ANNOUNCED

Bri Lee is the multi-award-winning author of Eggshell Skull, Beauty and Who Gets to Be Smart. Her journalism, essays, and short stories have been published widely, and she is the creator and editor of News & Reviews. The Work is Bri’s debut novel.

Roger Simpson is one of Australia’s leading writers and producers. He has created twenty series for television including the highly acclaimed telemovie series Halifax f.p. and its sequel, Halifax Retribution. Roger is the winner of twelve awards for writing including nine Australian Writers Guild AWGIE Awards. The final book in his Halifax series, Unblessed, will be released later this year.

Antony Loewenstein is an independent journalist, bestselling author, filmmaker, and co-founder of Declassified Australia. He’s written for The Guardian, The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, and many others. His latest book is The Palestine Laboratory which won the 2023 Walkley Book Award.

Catherine McKinnon is a novelist, playwright and creative writing teacher at the University of Wollongong. Her novel Storyland (2017) was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, the Barbara Jefferis Award, and the Voss Literary Prize. Her new novel To Sing of War is just out.

Yumna Kassab is a writer based in Sydney. She studied medical science and neuroscience at university. Her fiction has been listed for prizes including the Miles Franklin Literary Award, Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, Queensland Literary Awards, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, and The Stella Prize.

Kirli Saunders (OAM) is a proud Gunai Woman, award-winning author, multidisciplinary artist and consultant who creates to connect to make change. Kirli has partnered with global organisations including Google, Fender, Sydney Opera House, Qantas and Spotify, Mecca and Aesop to celebrate stories and cultivate change. Her books among others include Bindi, Kindred and Returning (Magabala).

Jeff Apter is the author of more than 30 books dealing with the world of music and musicians. His subjects include AC/DC’s Angus and Malcolm Young, Keith Urban, the Bee Gees, Jon English and Neil Finn. He spent five years on staff at Australian Rolling Stone and wrote for the magazine for 25 years.

Kell Woods is an Australian historical fantasy author. Her debut novel After the Forest was published simultaneously by Tor (US), Titan Books (UK) and Harper Voyager (AU & NZ) in October 2023. Kell studied English literature, creative writing and librarianship, and has worked in libraries and museums for the past thirteen years.

SUPER EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE! FULL PROGRAM COMING MAY.