Storyfest Festival Guide 2022

s t o r y f e s t . c o m . a u

12 to 19 march 2022

Somerset Storyfest acknowledges the

3 Welcome

Traditional Custodians of the Yugambeh Language Region and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People of the Gold Coast. We pay our respect to all Elders past, present and emerging as they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of our Indigenous people.

5 Festival Information

6 Meet the Authors

14 Programme - Authors’ Sessions Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 March

17 Festival Map

18 Student Workshops

20 Extended Programme

21 Parents’ and Friends’ Prologue Party

22 Literary Lunch with Lech

Blaine supported by Dr Harald Puhalla (General Surgeon)

festival highlights

23 Literary Long Table Dinner with Pip Williams

24 Adult Sessions

AUTHOR SESSIONS Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 March 2022 WORKSHOPS AND PANELS Interactive writing workshops and panel discussions for children and adults SPECIAL EVENTS Prologue Party, Literary Lunch and the Long Table Dinner EXTENDED PROGRAMME Free community events throughout the Gold Coast

25 Art Exhibit - Lucia Masciullo

26 Corporate Events

27 Storyfest Out West

contents. 28 Outback Pioneers 30 Annual Giving Day 33 Sponsors and Supporters

AUTHOR BOOK SIGNINGS In the Festival Bookshop

Storytelling excites our imagination and awakens our senses. It is the most ancient of ways in which we share knowledge and create memories. For more than 40,000 years, the First Nations people have utilised songlines to establish walking and hunting routes across Australia. These songlines were incredibly important and demonstrate the earliest examples of how communication between clans was established.

The Storyfest program is important to our youth as it introduces them to books and opens up their world to the joy that can be derived from great story-telling. When I read to my grandchildren today, I can see their eyes light up as the story unfolds. It is one of the most cherished times I get to spend with them. I’m delighted to see Lann Levinge appointed as the inaugural First Nations Artistic Director for Storyfest 2022. His talent as a singer/songwriter and producer will add great chemistry to the program. Our youth face a world that is both fast-paced and complex. The way we communicate, the devices used, the information being exchanged and the intent of the messaging, is rapidly changing. This presents both challenges and opportunities and I hope Storyfest strips back those layers and reminds us all of the joy that can be found in books. The Storyfest 2022 program has something for everyone and I applaud organisers and sponsors for making it happen. Tom Tate Mayor

As we tackle another year in uncertain times, Storyfest continues to deliver literary activities, not only for our Gold Coast community but to extend those opportunities to regional Queensland. This year, we will host the inaugural Storyfest Out West in Longreach giving bush children access to authors and books! I’m thrilled to welcome Lann Levinge as our inaugural First Nations Artistic Director. I encourage the community to join with us in celebrating these sensational young artists, showcasing a variety of ways to share stories. As with many arts organisations, funding and grants have been exceptionally difficult to secure, therefore in 2022, we will host an Annual Giving Day and we ask our supporters to save the date – Wednesday 30 March! The Board has approved a 3-year strategic plan, the first of which will see master storyteller, Fiona McIntosh bring her Commercial Fiction Masterclass to the Gold Coast taking the masterclass out of Adelaide for the first time ever! There are exciting plans ahead and I encourage you to come along on the journey of storytelling with us. To my Board, I sincerely thank you for your continued support. Tayla, Gabriella, Cecile and Casey, teamwork makes the dream work…

welcome. ceo

Ms Andrea Lewis CEO/ Festival Director

artistic director

OUR BOARD Chairperson Louise Davidson

Members Airlie Maclachlan, Craig Bassingthwaighte, Terry Herbert, Michael Arnold, Caroline Graham and Alex Woodthorpe Chief Financial Officer Kylie Sherrington OUR STAFF CEO/ Festival Director Andrea Lewis Artistic Director Dr Michael Brohier Marketing Co-ordinator Tayla Haynes Event Co-ordinator Gabriella Lennon Community Engagement Cecile Knight Festival Administrator Casey Wade Publicist Hashtag Creative Group

Dr Michael Brohier

Difficulty and hardship, if managed with financial imagination and creative flair, can often lead to a more resilient and superlative product. This adage is reflected in the way Somerset Storyfest has persevered and come through the effects of the pandemic over the last two years. Through these unprecedented times, the careful and courageous stewardship of Storyfest, by the Board and CEO, Andrea Lewis, has enabled this joyous festival of literature to weather the ‘storm’ and emerge more refined, more inclusive and certainly more resilient. The line-up for March 2022 captures a breathtaking spectrum of authors and performers such as the Science Fiction, YA and Fantasy novels of bestselling Adelaide author, Dr Sean Williams; the New York Times and internationally bestselling authors of The Illuminae Files , Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff and “creativity specialist” Joel McKerrow; the powerful exposition of grief of Lunchtime Speaker, Lech Blaine, author of the memoir, Car Crash which “traces the contours of [an] accident’s repercussions”; the historical research with evocative gender – nuanced storytelling of Literary Dinner Speaker, Pip Williams in The Dictionary of Lost Words ; and the multi-award-winning children’s Indigenous artist, didjeridoo player, storyteller, dancer and renowned public speaker Boori Monty Pryor, to name just a few. Twenty Three authors, performers and poets will enthral alongside seven artists from the Indigenous Programme. There is something valuable and authentic for everyone in this line up and I encourage the Gold Coast community to find the time to visit the Coast’s most respected and inclusive literary event. This is an event you do not want to miss! Yours in literature and creativity!

stay in touch

Share your experiences with us...

WEBSITE storyfest.com.au

FACEBOOK facebook.com/ somersetstoryfest

first nations artistic director

INSTAGRAM instagram.com/ somersetstoryfest

Lann Levinge

As a Kombumerri man with a passion for music, storytelling and language development, Lann is deeply immersed in the heart of the Coast’s creative arts field. Through this connection Lann has drawn together a collection of diverse storytellers and artists important to his own stories on country. Lann spoke of his role “It is important to give everyone the opportunity to learn about and connect with artists that they may never have otherwise. These are the artists and storytellers within my circle that I value dearly.”

TWITTER twitter.com/ somstoryfest

HASHTAGS #storyfestgc #ourgoldcoast #wearegoldcoast

4 / storyfest.com.au from the...

There is limited parking off Somerset Drive, Clover Hill Drive and Sara Carrigan Court (accessed by turning right off Clover Hill Drive). Public Transport The nearest Queensland Rail station is Robina. From here, Somerset College is approximately five minutes by car/taxi. Public buses are available from various locations around the Gold Coast. For further details, visit the TransLink website www.translink.com.au School Bus Transport Koala Koaches has a special rate for Gold Coast schools travelling to Storyfest. Metro Bus (no seat belts) $4.80 plus GST per person with a minimum of 30 passengers Coach (with seat belts) $6.80 plus GST per person with a minimum of 30 passengers. Schools travelling to the Gold Coast by train are also eligible for a special rate on a shuttle service between Robina Train Station and Somerset College. Please contact Koala Koaches to make your necessary travel arrangements by phoning - 07 5535 2711. One complimentary ticket is provided to teachers with each group of up to 10 children (additional teachers are required to purchase extra tickets). Tickets may be reserved for up to 14 days without payment. All payments must be finalised at least seven days prior to the Festival. If payment is not received for your reservation, this will result in automatic cancellation of your booking and tickets will be released. Should a school group need to withdraw due to COVID-19 disruptions, please note that a credit will be issued for the following year or may be used as a credit towards an On the road visit. BAGS There is no cloakroom facility at Somerset Storyfest. We encourage students to bring a small carry bag, as some venues have limited access for school bags. We advise students to leave valuables at home. All lost property can be collected from the Somerset College Events Office. SCHOOL BOOKINGS AND RESERVATION POLICY

NOTE ABOUT VENUES Venues for the author sessions will be allocated closer to the Festival. The capacities of the venues vary, so final venue allocation is determined according to the number of tickets purchased for each session. Please check the website prior to your visit to find the location of your sessions. COVID-19 Attendees at Somerset Storyfest must adhere to current Queensland Health regulations. All festival attendees will be required to check in upon arrival using the Check In QLD App and be able to provide evidence of vaccination. For further information on the current restrictions, please visit the QLD Health website. Should an author withdraw due to COVID-19 disruptions, please note they will be substituted and no refund will be applicable. PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY PERMISSIONS Somerset Storyfest will have a photographer and videographer on-site to record events throughout the Festival. These photos are for archival and marketing purposes and purchase of a ticket implies permission to use the photos taken for these purposes. FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP The Festival Bookshop stocks an extensive range of books by all the authors and illustrators attending Somerset Storyfest and is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm. It will also open during The Prologue Party. At the end of each of their sessions, authors are available for book signings! FOOD AND DRINK The Hardback Café operates throughout the Festival. Look out for Dippin’ Dots ice cream, Dutch Poffertjes, snow cones and other treats. SUPERVISION POLICY Any child 14 years or younger must be accompanied by a supervising parent/ guardian or teacher while on campus at all times during Somerset Storyfest. HOW TO GET HERE The Festival is located on campus at Somerset College, Somerset Drive, Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast. Car Take Exit 82 off the Pacific Motorway (M1), head west along Somerset Drive. Somerset College is located on the left.

festivalinfo

BOOKING INFORMATION Tickets are $8.00 (GST inclusive) per person per session. For adult sessions, workshops and catered functions, please refer to individual event information. Tickets will be emailed to you or may also be collected from Storyfest located at Somerset College Events Office between 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Bookings can only be processed on receipt of full payment. Bookings can only be accepted online, or in person at the Storyfest Office. There are no refunds or exchanges once bookings are processed. Your tickets and confirmation of your booking will be emailed to your designated email address. PURCHASING YOUR TICKETS Tickets will be on sale from Monday 7 February 2022. You may book online anytime. Many sessions have limited numbers, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

HAVE QUESTIONS? Phone: 07 5559 7382 Email: bookings@storyfest.com.au

storyfest.com.au / 5

glenn barry Session 155 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Session 243 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm

fletcher babb Session 113 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Workshop Wednesday 16 at 9.30am Session 254 Wednesday 16 at 1.45pm Session 325 Thursday 17 at 10.15am

Glenn Barry has a passion for communication, using the vehicle of art as a catalyst towards bridging differences through connections. Working in a range of media including painting and technologically produced imagery, he uses multi-modal approaches to open up concepts about identity. As an urban man who identifies with his heritage of First Nation Australian and Irish, Barry is interested in exploring and honouring ways in which art can express traditional values with contemporary lived experiences.

Cold Ghost is the moniker for Gold Coast songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and sound designer, Fletcher Babb. He is the creator, curator and composer for the successful tri-annual stage show Stories in the Key of GC at the Gold Coast’s HOTA, Home of the Arts. The inaugural event was staged in 2019 with BlankGC saying it was “ a love letter to our beautiful city, but it was much more than that. It was a celebration of music, and humanity, and all that connects us .” Each story is performed live on stage and recorded for a podcast as individual episodes. www.coldghost.net

lech blaine

adam cece

Historical Fiction, Personal Stories Tuesday 15 at 5.00pm Session 235 Wednesday 16 at 11.15am Session 256 Wednesday 16 at 1.45pm Session 316 Thursday 17 at 9.15am Literary Lunch Thursday 17 at 12.30pm Lech Blaine is the author of the memoir Car Crash and the Quarterly Essay Top Blokes . His writing has appeared in The Monthly, Guardian Australia, The Best Australian Essays, Griffith

Session 123 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 234 Wednesday 16 at 11.15am Session 252 Wednesday 16 at 1.45pm Session 322 Thursday 17 at 10.15am

6 / storyfest.com.au Review, Kill Your Darlings and Meanjin. He was an inaugural recipient of a Griffith Review Queensland Writing Fellowship. www.lechblaine.com meet the authors. Adam Cece is an award-winning best-selling author of children’s books, including Wesley Booth Super Sleuth , Twin Spin and the hilarious Huggabie Falls series, which has been published worldwide. He is an SA Premier’s Reading Challenge Ambassador, and visits schools and libraries around Australia delivering fun, interactive talks focused on being an author, the craft of writing, getting published, solving mysteries, and how to write a cracking shopping list. www.adamcece.com

anthony cora Session 133 Tuesday 15 at 11.15am Session 253 Wednesday 16 at 1.45pm Session 333 Thursday 17 at 11.15am

meredith costain Workshop Tuesday 15 at 9.30am Session 141 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 222 Wednesday 16 at 10.15am Session 251 Wednesday 16 at 1.45pm Session 331 Thursday 17 at 11.15am

Since high school, Anthony has developed an exciting career promoting Indigenous and cultural tourism to people from around the world. Anthony is an accomplished traditional dance performer with Jaran Dances and Yungembeh Aboriginal Dancers where he imparts his knowledge of the history and role of dance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Through presenting and sharing his culture, Anthony hopes to bring a greater understanding about the Aboriginal culture and people, he wants all people to feel the same sense of connection to this land and the stories, as he does.

Meredith Costain is a versatile award-winning writer. Her first picture book, Musical Harriet , was adapted for television by the ABC, and her poetry book Doodledum Dancing was a CBCA Honour Book. A former English teacher and kids’ magazine editor, she enjoys writing poems with kids around Australia, and playing ‘Fetch!’ with her dogs and cats. www.meredithcostain.com

sara el sayed

mandy foot

Session 114 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Session 144 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Historical Fiction, Personal Stories Tuesday 15 at 5.00pm

Session 131 Tuesday 15 at 11.15am Session 221 Wednesday 16 at 10.15am Session 311 Thursday 17 at 9.15am Session 342 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Session 214 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am Session 324 Thursday 17 at 10.15am

Mandy thrives on finding the balance between words and pictures as an Award-winning, Best-selling Author/Illustrator of more than 24 picture books. With two border collies under her feet in her Adelaide Hills studio, she still loves to paint traditionally, particularly in watercolour and exploring all the happy accidents this creates. An Ambassador for Raising Literacy Australia, her books include the heart-warming Joey and Riley, Lucy and Copper and Warna Manda Baby Earth Walk - a very special collaboration with Aboriginal Artist Susan Betts. www.mandyfoot.com

Sara El Sayed is a writer based in Meanjin (Brisbane). Her work appears in Growing Up African in Australia (Black Inc.) and Arab- Australian-Other (Pan Macmillan), among other places. She is currently a recipient of a Queensland Writers Fellowship. She was shortlisted for the 2020 Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award, and the 2019 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers. Her debut memoir, Muddy People , is out now. www.saraelsayed.com

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scot gardner Session 124 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Session 146 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 226 Wednesday 16 at 10.15am

tiana graf

Session 111 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Session 231 Wednesday 16 at 11.15am Session 351 Thursday 17 at 1.45pm

As a proud woman of the Nukunu people of South Australia, Tiana has developed into a multi-talented musician, performer and teacher within the arts industry. Since the age of two years old Tiana’s passion for dance and music has been reflected in her pathway leading to extensive training in sax, piano, ballet, contemporary dance, jazz, musical theatre, acrobatics and lyrical. With a love for teaching dance, Tiana quickly gravitated to dance instruction and has been teaching on the Gold Coast for 7 years whilst also working with some of the best at Movie World, Showtime Attractions, Bianca Hayes Dance Academy and Levinge Events.

Workshop Thursday 17 at 9.30am Session 344 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Scot Gardner became a writer after a chance meeting with a magazine editor while hitchhiking in eastern Australia. Magazine articles led to op-ed newspaper pieces and eventually novels. Scot’s first fiction for young adults, One Dead Seagull , was published after he attended a writing conference with John Marsden. More than a decade later, his many books have found local and international favour and garnered praise and awards for their honest

take on adolescent life. www.scotgardner.com

mark greenwood Session 121 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Session 151 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Session 212 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am Session 321 Thursday 17 at 10.15am Session 353 Thursday 17 at 1.45pm

alicia jones

Session 155 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Session 243 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm Session 345 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Alicia Melonie Jones is a performance artist residing on Yugambeh country (Gold Coast). A heritage of Aboriginal/Australian, Alicia’s solo work questions modes of knowledge, cycles of violence and the media control of information. Alicia’s body of work stems from her journey back to country (Ben Lomond/Swanport) with performance/installations created to activate cathartic experiences and fracture the status quo. Alicia supports her creative practice with roles in Cultural Event Management, Peer Assessor Regional Arts Australia and teaching appointments across educational sectors. Alicia has qualifications in the Creative Industries, Early Childhood Education and Business Management and is currently studying a Diploma in Counselling.

Mark Greenwood is a history hunter. He enjoys searching for lost explorers and glittering treasure, delving into baffling mysteries and solving famous cold cases. His award-winning books include

8 / storyfest.com.au Jandamarra , illustrated by Terry Denton, the History Mysteries chapter book series, The Happiness Box and The Book of Stone . Mark often teams with his wife, illustrator Frané Lessac, to produce well known titles such as Ned Kelly & The Green Sash , Simpson and His Donkey and Midnight - the story of a lighthorse. Their latest collaboration is Our Country – Ancient Wonders . www.markgreenwood.com.au meet the authors.

thomas kelly

amie kaufman Session 116 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Session 135 Tuesday 15 at 11.15am Session 145 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Session 223 Wednesday 16 at 10.15am Session 315 Thursday 17 at 9.15am

Session 111 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Session 231 Wednesday 16 at 11.15am Session 351 Thursday 17 at 1.45pm

Thomas is a Storyteller is of Bundjalung- Yugambeh / Wiradjuri and Ni- Vanuatu heritage. He trained in dance at NAISDA Dance College. He is Artistic Director and founder of Karul Projects which is currently kicking goals throughout Australia. Recent offerings are the Shake a leg dance series and

Amie Kaufman is a New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy. Her multi-award winning work has been translated into nearly thirty languages, and has been described as “a game-changer” (Shelf Awareness), “stylistically mesmerising” (Publishers Weekly) and “out-of-this-world awesome” (Kirkus). Several of her series are currently in development for film and TV. Raised in Australia and occasionally Ireland, Amie has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution, and is currently undertaking

Weir Dingo performances. www.thomaseskelly.com

a PhD in Creative Writing. www.amiekaufman.com

frané lessac

jay kristoff

Session 116 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Session 145 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Session 225 Wednesday 16 at 10.15am Session 315 Thursday 17 at 9.15am Session 335 Thursday 17 at 11.15am Session 354 Thursday 17 at 1.45pm

Session 121 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Session 151 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Session 212 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am Session 321 Thursday 17 at 10.15am

Frané Lessac is an author and illustrator, having created beautiful illustrations for more than fifty books. She grew up in a small town outside of New York City and had many pets including, a monkey, snakes and a camel. Since she was little, it was a dream to become an artist. Frané’s latest books include Our Country: Ancient Wonders , Australia Under the Sea 1 2 3 and Under the Southern Cross . Frané visits schools and festivals sharing the process of writing and illustrating books with young people around the world. www.franelessac.com

Jay Kristoff is the co-author of two New York Times bestselling series with his writing partner- in-crime, Amie Kaufman: the Illuminae Files and the Aurora Cycle trilogy. He also authored the bestsellers Empire of the Vampire and the Nevernight Chronicles , the award-winning Lotus War trilogy, and Lifel1k3, Dev1at3 and Truel1f3 , the award-winning LIFEL1K3 trilogy. Jay lives in

Melbourne, Australia. www.jaykristoff.com

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joel mckerrow

kiara levinge Session 125 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Session 216 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am Session 345 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Session 136 Tuesday 15 at 11.15am Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 224 Wednesday 16 at 10.15am Session 245 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm Session 346 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Kiara is a local Kombummeri / Nughi woman, a direct descendant to Warri. Kiara is the great great grand daughter of Albert Levinge and Eva Levinge (Graham). She is part of the original six family names from our area. Kiara is currently studying a double degree at Griffith Uni GC in Business and Arts. She is also studying Piano and has released original material.

Joel McKerrow is one of Australia’s most successful internationally touring performance poets. He is an award winning writer, speaker, educator, creativity specialist and has performed for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world including being the third ever Australian representative at the Individual World Poetry Slam Championships in the USA. Based out of Melbourne he is the Artist Ambassador for the aid and development organisation TEARFUND Australia and he teaches at the Melbourne Young Writers Studio. Joel has four published books and four spoken word/albums. www.joelmckerrow.com

WITHDRAWN

lynette noni WITHDRAWN Session 126 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Session 154 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Workshop Wednesday 16 at 9.30am Session 245 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm Session 334 Thursday 17 at 11.15am WITHDRAWN Australian author Lynette Noni studied journalism, academic writing, and human

louise park

Session 132 Tuesday 15 at 11.15am Session 141 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 222 Wednesday 16 at 10.15am Session 241 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm Session 312 Thursday 17 at 9.15am

10 / storyfest.com.au behaviour at university before venturing into the world of fiction. She is now a full-time writer and the #1 bestselling and award-winning author of The Medoran Chronicles, the Whisper duology, The Prison Healer and The Gilded Cage . www.lynettenoni.com meet the authors. WITHDRAWN Louise Park draws from a strong background in education, literacy and publishing to produce her blockbuster bestselling series fiction that includes Zac Power Test Drives and Spy Recruit, Boy vs Beast, Harriet Clare, D-Bot Squad, Star Girl, Bella Dancerella and her latest time-slip for older readers, Grace’s Secrets and Grace’s Escape . Louise’s books have sold in the millions world-wide with some written under her own name and others under the hugely successful pseudonyms: H. I. Larry, Mac Park and Poppy Rose. www.louisepark.com.au

boori monty pryor Session 112 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Session 143 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 242 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm Session 314 Thursday 17 at 9.15am Boori Monty Pryor was born in Townsville, North Queensland. His father is from the Juru people of Cape Upstart from the Bowen region, and his mother is a descendant of the Gurubana Moiety group, from the Kunggandji Nation near Cairns. Boori is a multi-talented performer who has worked in film and television (as an actor and a writer), music and theatre-in-education. Boori has written several award-winning children’s books, including Prime Minister’s Literary Award winner Shake a Leg . He co-wrote and is the subject of Wrong Kind of Black (International Emmy Award nominee, screening on Netflix) and Brown Paper Bag .

lucas proudfoot

Session 153 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Session 211 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am

Lucas Proudfoot is a storyteller and content creator for young audiences, sharing stories through his music, books, engaging live performances and TV appearances, and is on a mission to inspire and educate as many children across the nation as possible. He has been touring the country with his contemporary cultural show, Circular Rhythm for over a decade, delivering an entertaining and contemporary Indigenous Australian music experience, while writing books, new music and making television appearances in between. www.lucasproudfoot.com

lystra rose

r.a. spratt Session 142 Tuesday 15 at 12.45pm Session 233 Wednesday 16 at 11.15am Session 313 Thursday 17 at 9.15am Session 343 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Session 125 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Session 216 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am Session 345 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Lystra Rose is an award-winning writer. She grew up in Far North Queensland and descends from the Guugu Yimithirr, Birri Gubba, Torres Strait Islander people (Erub Island), and also has Scottish-New Zealand ancestry. Throughout her career, Lystra has been a visual communicator: teacher of the Deaf, graphic designer, photographer… and storyteller. Now, she enjoys home-schooling her two kids, writing YA fiction, surf mag articles, poetry, and is the managing editor of iconic Australian surfing publication, Surfing Life magazine. www.lystrabisschop.com

R.A. Spratt is the best-selling author of the Friday Barnes, Peski Kids and Nanny Piggins series as well as Shockingly Good Stories a collection of tales from her smash hit podcast Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt. Her debut novel The Adventures of Nanny Piggins won the ‘Top of the List’ award from Booklist, the American Library Association’s Periodical in 2010. R.A. is also a veteran TV writer. She has written for 32 shows across a variety of genres including political satire, sketch comedy and children’s animation. www.raspratt.com

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matt stanton Workshop Tuesday 15 at 9.30am Session 152 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Session 232 Wednesday 16 at 11.15am Session 332 Thursday 17 at 11.15am Session 352 Thursday 17 at 1.45pm

scott stuart

Session 122 Tuesday 15 at 10.15am Session 246 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm Session 323 Thursday 17 at 10.15am

Scott Stuart is the best-selling children’s book author of My Shadow is Pink , The Very First You and Who’s a Goose who is committed to creating content that empowers kids. His books have appeared on numerous best-seller lists across the globe, as well as being shortlisted for ABIA Children’s Book of the Year and CBCA Notable Picture Book of the Year. His empowering messages have been seen over 100 million times on social media, and he is a leading voice on fully accepting and empowering our children, exactly as they are. www.scottstuart.co

Matt Stanton is a bestselling children’s author and illustrator who has sold more than one million books worldwide. His middle-grade series Funny Kid debuted as the #1 Australian kids’ book and has legions of fans across the globe. He has published such bestselling picture books as There Is a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts, This Is a Ball and Pea + Nut! , and produces a daily YouTube show for kids. He lives and works in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, bestselling author Beck Stanton, and their children. www.mattstanton.net

sue whiting

pip williams

Session 134 Tuesday 15 at 11.15am Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 213 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am

Session 336 Thursday 17 at 11.15am Session 355 Thursday 17 at 1.45pm Long Table Dinner Friday 18 at 6.00pm

Workshop Thursday 17 at 9.30am Session 341 Thursday 17 at 12.45pm

Pip was born in London, grew up in Sydney and now calls the Adelaide Hills home. Her debut novel The Dictionary of Lost Words (2020) became a national number one bestseller, has been sold into 10 territories internationally, and has won awards including the ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, ABA Booksellers’ Choice Adult Fiction Book of the Year, the

Sue Whiting is a children’s and young adult author and editor who lives and works in a small coastal village south of Sydney. She has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, including the best-selling The Firefighters and Missing , the award-winning A Swim in the Sea and the CBCA Notable Books, Get a Grip Cooper Jones, Platypus and Beware the Deep Dark Forest . Sue was Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books Australia for many years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing and to work from her home as a freelance editor, writing coach and mentor. www.suewhiting.com

12 / storyfest.com.au People’s Choice Award in the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards, and the Indie Book Awards for Debut Fiction and overall Book of the Year. www.pipwilliams.com.au meet the authors.

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sean williams

Session 115 Tuesday 15 at 9.15am Young Writers’ Dinner Tuesday 15 at 5.30pm Session 215 Wednesday 16 at 9.15am Session 244 Wednesday 16 at 12.45pm Session 356 Thursday 17 at 1.45pm

Sean Williams was born in the dry, flat lands of South Australia, where he still lives with his wife and family. He is the author of over 40 novels and 120 published short stories, and teaches creative writing at Flinders University. Sean’s latest middle-grade fantasy novel, Her Perilous Mansion , was published in April 2020. www.seanwilliams.com

michelle wright

Session 156 Tuesday 15 at 1.45pm Historical Fiction, Personal Stories Tuesday 15 at 5.00pm

Session 236 Wednesday 16 at 11.15am Session 326 Thursday 17 at 10.15am

Michelle Wright is an award-winning writer who has won many prizes, including The Age short story competition. Her short story collection, Fine , was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Award for an Unpublished Manuscript and published in 2016. Michelle’s debut novel, Small Acts of Defiance , is the fruit of her deep love for Paris - her home for 12 years - as well as her decades of passion for French language, culture and history. In 2017, Michelle was awarded a six-month Australia Council residency in Paris to carry out the extensive research behind her vivid portrayal of life in occupied France.

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tuesday 15 march

9.15am to 10.00am

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES

111 112 113

Thomas Kelly and Tiana Graf Boori Monty Pryor Stories in the Key of GC with Fletcher Babb. See page 19 for full details Sara El Sayed Sean Williams Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

2 to 4 3 to 6 4 to 7

114 115 116

6 to 8 8 to 10 10 to 12

10.15am to 11.00am

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 1 to 3 3 to 6 4 to 7 7 to 9 8 to 10 10 to 12

121 122 123 124 125 126

Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac Scott Stuart Adam Cece Scot Gardner Lystra Rose and Kiara Levinge Lynette Noni

workshops for students

9.30am to 11.00am

11.15am to 12noon

W11 - Meredith Costain - STORY STARTERS (For students aged 9+) $20 See page 18 for full details W12 - Matt Stanton - STORY STRUCTURE AND PLOTTING

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES

131 132 133 134 135 136

Mandy Foot Louise Park Anthony Cora Sue Whiting Amie Kaufman Joel McKerrow

Pre-Prep to 2 3 to 6 4 to 7 6 to 8 8 to 10 10 to 12

(For students aged 9+) $20 See page 18 for full details

day one

12.45pm to 1.30pm

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES

bonus events

141

Series Fiction Showdown with Louise Park and Meredith Costain. See page 19 for full details R.A. Spratt Boori Monty Pryor Sara El Sayed Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman Scot Gardner

2 to 4

5.00pm

142 143 144 145 146

3 to 6 4 to 7 7 to 9 8 to 10 10 to 12

Lech Blaine, Sara El Sayed and Michelle Wright - HISTORICAL FICTION,

PERSONAL STORIES Free Community Event See page 24 for full details

1.45pm to 2.30pm

5.30pm

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES

3 to 6 4 to 7 4 to 7 7 to 9 7 to 9 9 to 11

151 152 153 154 155 156

Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac Matt Stanton Lucas Proudfoot Lynette Noni Alicia Jones and Glenn Barry Michelle Wright

YOUNG WRITERS’ DINNER (For students aged 10+) $40 See page 20 for full details

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wednesday 16 march

9.15am to 10.00am

workshops for students

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 2 to 4 3 to 6 4 to 7 6 to 8 7 to 9 10 to 12

9.30am to 11.00am

211 212 213 214 215 216

Lucas Proudfoot Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac Sue Whiting Sara El Sayed Sean Williams Lystra Rose and Kiara Levinge

W21 - Lynette Noni - WORLD BUILDING (For students aged 13+) $20 See page 19 for full details W22 - Fletcher Babb - TELL IT LIKE IT IS

(For students aged 11+) $20 See page 19 for full details

10.15am to 11.00am

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 2 to 4 3 to 6 3 to 6 7 to 9 8 to 10 9 to 11

221 222 223 224 225 226

Mandy Foot Series Fiction Showdown with Louise Park and Meredith Costain Amie Kaufman Slam Poetry with Joel McKerrow in conversation with Somerset Wordsmiths Jay Kristoff Scot Gardner

12.45pm to 2.15pm

W23 - HOW TO WRITE LIKE A LARRIKIN! (For students aged 13+) $20 See page 19 for full details

11.15am to 12noon

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 2 to 4 4 to 7 5 to 8 6 to 8 8 to 10 9 to 11

prologue party

231 232 233 234 235 236

Thomas Kelly and Tiana Graf Matt Stanton

R.A. Spratt Adam Cece Lech Blaine Michelle Wright

5.30pm

day two

Come along to the highlight of literary events on the Gold Coast. A fun-filled evening for all the family to celebrate reading and writing! The Prologue Party is a great opportunity to meet some of Australia’s best authors and illustrators. See page 21 for full details

12.45pm to 1.30pm

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 2 to 5 3 to 6 4 to 7 6 to 8 8 to 10 10 to 12

241 242 243 244 245 246

Louise Park Boori Monty Pryor Alicia Jones and Glenn Barry

Sean Williams Joel McKerrow Scott Stuart

1.45pm to 2.30pm SESSION EVENT 251

GRADES 3 to 6 4 to 7 4 to 7 7 to 9

Meredith Costain Adam Cece Anthony Cora Stories in the Key of GC with Fletcher Babb. See page 19 for full details Lech Blaine

252 253 254

256

10 to 12

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PROGR SESSION GRADES EVENT 311 312 313 314 315 316 Mandy Foot Louise Park R.A. Spratt Boori Monty Pryor Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman Lech Blaine 2 to 4 3 to 6 4 to 7 5 to 7 8 to 10 10 to 12 9.15am to 10.00am thursday 17 march 10.15am to 11.00am

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 2 to 4 3 to 6 4 to 7 6 to 8 8 to 10

321 322 323 324 325

Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac Adam Cece Scott Stuart Sara El Sayed Stories in the Key of GC with Fletcher Babb See page 19 for full details Michelle Wright

9.30am to 11.00am workshops for students

W31 - Sue Whiting - HOW TO BRING YOUR STORY TO LIFE ON THE PAGE (For students aged 10 to 14) $20 See page 19 for full details W32 - Scot Gardner - PERSONAL NARRATIVE - STORIES FROM OUR LIVES TO INSPIRE FICTION (For students aged 12+) $20 See page 19 for full details

326

8 to 10

11.15am to 12noon

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 2 to 4 4 to 7 4 to 7 6 to 8 8 to 10 10 to 12

331 332 333 334 335 336

Meredith Costain Matt Stanton Anthony Cora Lynette Noni Jay Kristoff Pip Williams

day three

12.45pm to 1.30pm

12.30pm literary lunch

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 3 to 6 4 to 7 4 to 7 8 to 10 9 to 11 9 to 11

Sue Whiting Mandy Foot R.A. Spratt Scot Gardner Lystra Rose, Kiara Levinge and Alicia Jones Joel McKerrow in conversation with Dr Michael Brohier

341 342 343 344 345 346

This literary lunch with Lech Blaine will grab you by the heart and at the end, leave you a wiser, more empathetic and better person - an event not to be missed! The Ray Building Dining Room, Somerset College See page 22 for full details

1.45pm to 2.30pm

SESSION

EVENT

GRADES 2 to 4 3 to 6 5 to 7 7 to 9 9 to 11 9 to 12

351 352 353 354 355 356

Thomas Kelly and Tiana Graf Matt Stanton Mark Greenwood Jay Kristoff Pip Williams Sean Williams

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RAMME THE ROBERTS THEATRE THE GREAT HALL THE COMMON MARQUEE OUTBACK PIONEERS MARQUEE TOWERS QUAD THE ARNISON BUILDING PARENTS’ AND FRIENDS’ VOLUNTEERS ROOM THE BROWN BUILDING 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 BOOKSHOP TICKET BOOTH PARKING FESTIVAL SITE ENTRY MEETING POINT M i P FIRST AID THE HARDBACK CAFÉ

FOOD TRUCKS

9

YEAR 11 COMMON ROOM

TWEED BANORA DENTAL POETRY LANE

10

THE YARNING CIRCLE

COFFEE

11

MOSES 1.3 & 1.4

12

SPARTANS INDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS

map. festival 13

THE RAY BUILDING DINING ROOM

i

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tuesday 15 march 9.30am to 11.00am

W11 - STORY STARTERS (For students aged 9+) $20 Is your brain always buzzing with ideas? Find out with Meredith Costain how to turn them into sensational stories with quirky characters, spine-tingling problems and thrilling plots!

W12 - STORY STRUCTURE AND PLOTTING (For students aged 9+) $20 Great stories aren’t just told, they’re constructed. Yes, stories have a beginning, a middle and an end, but that’s not all they have! Come and learn about story structure from Matt Stanton , author of more than 30 children’s books.

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for students

wednesday 16 march 9.30am to 11.00am

W21 - WORLD BUILDING WORKSHOP (For students aged 13+) $20 In this fun, hands-on workshop, bestselling author Lynette Noni will share how to create believable worlds (magical or otherwise) and the characters who inhabit them. Using an engaging, interactive style, Lynette will help young writers develop confidence in their storytelling approaches — from making the impossible seem possible to learning the importance of keeping characters in character!

W22 - TELL IT LIKE IT IS (For students aged 11+) $20 Got a story to tell? Or can you play an instrument? Take your true story and tell it like it is in front of an audience. Work collaboratively with composer and producer, Fletcher Babb aka Cold Ghost to create an original, live soundtrack to accompany each storyteller.

12.45pm to 2.15pm

W23 - HOW TO WRITE LIKE A LARRIKIN! (For students aged 13+) $20 Ever dreamt of becoming an author or illustrator? Spend time with publisher James Layton and discover the secrets of the publishing industry. James will address what a publisher is looking for, what is a slush pile, how picture books are made and how you can become a best selling author or illustrator. James will share some of his favourite Larrikin House picture books with the audience and the reasons he published them. Using a quick and easy editing technique, Dani Vee will help you bring the laugh out loud moments into your stories. The workshop will focus on upping the ante, developing funny characters and playing around with rhyme. This fast-paced and energetic course is guaranteed to take your writing to the next level. James will also be on board throughout the workshop to provide immediate publisher feedback (and prizes!) to participants!

thursday 17 march 9.30am to 11.00am

W31 - HOW TO BRING YOUR STORY TO LIFE ON THE PAGE (For students aged 10+) $20 The stories that swirl in our imaginations are often are richer and more vivid than the stories we end up putting down on paper. In this writing workshop, Sue Whiting will guide students through her top tips for bringing stories to life on the page, so they better match the vividness of the imagination. The workshop will include practical exercises and the crafting of a rich, compelling scene.

W32 - PERSONAL NARRATIVE – STORIES FROM OUR LIVES TO INSPIRE FICTION (For students aged 12+) $20 Engaging fiction is truer than the truth. Our character’s inner lives are shaped by our own and it has to feel real. It has to feel honest. Join Scot Gardner as we draw connections between our lived experience and the worlds we create on the page.

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SERIES FICTION SHOWDOWN WITH LOUISE PARK AND MEREDITH COSTAIN SESSION 141 SESSION 222 WHEN Tuesday 15 March WHEN Wednesday 16 March TIME 12.45pm TIME 10.15am Ella, Olivia and Princess Peach Parker plus Zac Power, Kai Masters and Hunter Marks – legends all. But how well do you know each character? And what happens when they collide? Join in an interactive Kahoot!-style quiz game and character showdown, then reveal in a flash mob story-writing extravaganza!

STORIES IN THE KEY OF GC TEEN ADDITION SESSION 113 SESSION 254

SESSION 325

WHEN Tuesday 15 March

WHEN Wednesday 16 March

WHEN Thursday 17 March

TIME 9.15am

TIME 1.45pm

TIME 10.15am

Fletcher Babb aka Cold Ghost curates local stories by Ayla, Emmeline and Elliot along with their own soundtrack!

BOOK LAUNCH | THE GRACE MYSTERIES by LOUISE PARK WHEN Wednesday 16 March TIME 12.15pm WHERE Towers Quad, Somerset College Join Louise Park along with Grace, Elly and Mr Biggs-Grossly, as they launch the second novel in Louise’s series The Grace Mysteries . There will be book giveaways along with meet the author and characters from the book!

YOUNG WRITERS’ DINNER WHEN Tuesday 15 March, 5.30pm WHERE Towers Quad, Somerset College TICKETS $40.00 per person includes dinner and soft drinks. Tickets are strictly limited!

We encourage you to BYO coffee keep cup. extended programme The Young Writers’ Dinner provides young people with a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ – to spend an exciting evening workshopping with some of Australia’s bestselling kids and YA fiction writers. The dinner is open to the wider community suitable for ages 10+. So don’t miss the amazing, fun-filled experience of spending an evening with one of this year’s featured authors - Adam Cece, Meredith Costain, Scot Gardner, Joel McKerrow, Louise Park, Boori Monty Pryor, Sean Williams and Sue Whiting. We are a plastic water bottle free event. BYO bottle for free refills.

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• Friendships PARENTS’ AND FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION Partnerships Community •

FREE EVENT

PARENTS’ AND FRIENDS' PROLOGUE PARTY WHEN Wednesday 16 March, 5.30pm WHERE Towers Quad, Somerset College DRESS CODE Smart Casual

Come along to the highlight of literary events on the Gold Coast. A fun-filled evening for all the family to celebrate reading and writing! The Prologue Party is a great opportunity to meet some of Australia’s best authors and illustrators. Enjoy all the fun of the fair with games and activities. The festival bookshop will be open during this event, it is a great opportunity for adults and children to browse the bookshelf and find that perfect book. Don’t forget to watch the Grand Parade at 6.00pm.

The Hardback Café is open for dinner. Food and drinks available for purchase.

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prologue party

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LITERARY LUNCH WITH LECH BLAINE WHEN Thursday 17 March, 12noon arrivals WHERE The Ray Building Dining Room, Somerset College DRESS CODE Smart Casual TICKETS $50.00 per person includes two course gourmet meal, wine and soft drink RSVP Friday 11 March, limited seating available

Lech has published in Best Australian Essays, Kill Your Darlings, Meanjin, The Griffith Review, The Guardian, The Lifted Brow and the Monthly. An inaugural recipient of a Griffith Review Queensland Writers Fellowship, he also won the Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award. In 2019, he was awarded a Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Emerging Artist Fellowship. The singular moment of “a car full of teenagers, a bend in the road, a cleaving between possible futures”, anchors Lech Blaine’s debut novel, Car Crash . Lech will speak about the way this novel delivered him home “after spending most of his life as a man between worlds”. The relevance of this difficult and uplifting story figures prominently in the landscape of our common human condition. This is a lunch that will grab you by the heart and at the end, leave you a wiser, more empathetic and better person.

SUPPORTED BY DR HARALD PUHALLA (GENERAL SURGEON) lech blaine with

literary lunch

pip williams long table dinner with BUY ONLINE

LONG TABLE DINNER WITH PIP WILLIAMS WHEN Friday 18 March, 6.00pm WHERE Towers Quad, Somerset College DRESS CODE Smart TICKETS $95.00 per person, all inclusive RSVP Friday 11 March, limited seating available

Pip Williams was born in London, grew up in Sydney and now calls the Adelaide Hills home. Co-author of the book Time Bomb: Work, Rest and Play in Australia Today (New South Press, 2012), she is also the author of One Italian Summer . In her latest multi-award-winning novel of historical fiction, The Dictionary of Lost Words , Pip Williams blends historical research with evocative storytelling, creating a relevant message about the place of women in our worlds. Set in England in the time of the women’s suffragette movement and when war loomed, this is a “quietly revolutionary novel revealing a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men”. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s literary stars!

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FREE EVENT

“Historical Fiction, Personal Stories” Caroline Graham hosts Lech Blaine, Sara El Sayed and Michelle Wright for an in-depth discussion on extracting a universal story from personal narratives and historical events. Facilitator: Caroline Graham — Journalism lecturer at the University of Queensland MUDGEERABA MARKETS PANEL WHEN Tuesday 15 March, 5.00pm WHERE Mudjira Village Eatery, Mudgeeraba Markets Shopping Centre TICKETS Free

Kindly supported by Division 9 Councillor Glenn Tozer

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BOOK LAUNCH | MY SANTIAGO by DR MICHAEL BROHIER WHEN Thursday 17 March, 5.00pm arrivals WHERE Pool Function Room, Somerset College TICKETS $35.00 per person RSVP Friday 11 March, limited seating available

Join Jane Lundmark as she hosts Dr Michael Brohier in conversation to chat through his selection of poems that feature in his first publication. We’re thrilled to launch Michael’s collection of poems at the 2022 Storyfest Writers Festival.

adult

sessions

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FREE EVENT

Whimsical Worlds showcases the work of one of the Gold Coast’s most prolific and well-established illustrators. Lucia Masciul lo is an award-winning children’s book illustrator born and raised in Livorno, Italy. She moved to Australia in 2007 and has been illustrating children’s books here ever since. Strongly connected to place, she interprets her various illustration styles through one very distinct lens. Lucia’s sensitive and intimate observations encourage imagined narratives and prompt nostalgic memories for the reader. The feel, sound and scents of the stories are invoked through depictions of Lucia’s unique illustration style. Whimsical Worlds draws the reader into the sensorial experience of each stories ever-changing landscape. Somerset Storyfest presents Whimsical Worlds in association with HOTA, Home of the Arts WHIMSICAL WORLDS ART EXHIBITION WHEN Monday 14 March to Wednesday 13 April, 9.00am to 4.00pm daily (Sundays vary) WHERE HOTA, Home of the Arts, Studio 1 Gallery

storyfest.com.au / 25 whimsical worlds public art exhibition