The Orange Readers and Writers Festival will return to the Hotel Canobolas on August 5 and 6 to coincide with the Winter Fire Festival.
A notable group of fiction and non-fiction authors have come on board for this year’s festival:
• Grantlee Kieza – The Remarkable Mrs Reibey, and Knockout
• Yvonne Weldon – Sixty-Seven Days
• Adam Courtenay – Mr Todd’s Marvel
• Michael Thompson – How to be Remembered
• Indira Naidoo – The Space Between Stars
Orange City Council Services Policy Committee Chair, Cr Mel McDonell said the guest authors at this year’s event were sure to entertain Central West readers with their stories and experiences.
“The festival is a great way of bringing readers and writers together during the winter months,” Cr McDonell said.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for anyone with a love of reading or writing to meet and talk with talented authors and other like-minded book lovers.”
The main day of the festival will be held from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturday, 5 August. The winners of the 2023 Banjo Paterson Writing Awards will also be announced by Orange Mayor Jason Hamling at 11am.
On Sunday 6 August, professional podcaster and author Michael Thompson will hold a workshop for people wishing to start or improve their podcasting from 10am to 1pm. Gain practical tips for developing and improving your podcasts. The workshop costs $45 to attend.
Early bird tickets to the Orange Readers and Writers Festival cost $75 until Monday 24 July, after which tickets will cost $95 per person.
People wishing to attend either day of the festival can purchase their tickets from Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/orange-readers-and-writers-festival-2023-2356639.
The Orange Readers and Writers Festival is hosted by Central West Libraries and supported by Collins Booksellers. Books by the authors will be available for sale and signing at the Festival.
Program – Orange Readers and Writers Festival
Hotel Canobolas, Orange, 248 Summer Street, Orange (off-street parking behind hotel entrance via Kite Street)
Festival Main Event – Saturday 5 August
10am: Welcome
10.05 – 10.10am: Welcome to Country
10.10am – 11am: Grantlee Kieza
11am – 11.15am: Orange Mayor Jason Hamling announces winners of the annual Banjo
Paterson Writing Awards. Poetry, Short Story and Children’s winners in attendance.
11.15am – 11.45am: Morning Tea
11.45am – 12.25pm: Yvonne Weldon
12.25pm – 1.05pm: Adam Courtenay
1.05pm – 2pm: Lunch
2pm – 2.40pm: Michael Thompson
2.40pm – 3.20pm: Indira Naidoo
3.20pm – 3.30pm: Close and Farewell.
Podcast Workshop with Michael Thompson – Sunday 6 August
10am – 1pm (includes morning tea)
The workshop will be in two parts:
• Getting started: what you need, how & where you should record, getting your
podcast online
• Putting it together: what to talk about, episode structure, podcast marketing,
improving your content
