First Writers Festival coming to hinterland
From left, Sunshine Coast Foodie Martin Duncan, event coordinators Tracey Young and Lea Dodd, Rhonda Billett from I am Nambour, crime writer Georgia Harper and children’s author Karen McKinley.
Nambour will play host to the launch of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival, planned for October 11, 12, 13 in 2024.
The inaugural event will span three days and cover hinterland areas from Maleny to Nambour, with a jam-packed program planned exclusively for the Sunshine Coast Hinterland region.
“We are starting the very first Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival for 2024 with the help of our wonderful friends at the Nambour Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Maleny Chamber of Commerce, Sunshine Coast Libraries and Sunshine Coast Council,” said Rhonda Billett from I Am Nambour.
“This initiative began as a small activation project for Nambour but its direction has expanded to encompass the whole Nambour and surrounds region because there’s a need and want for this type of event in the region.”
Event organisers Lea Dodd from Rosettas Book Shop in Maleny and Mapleton local Tracey Young are working on a program to delight an array of readers and writers.
“We aim to have a mix of local and out of town authors present,” said Ms Billett. “There will be author book sales also. We will be holding a second-hand book market in Nambour’s CBD, slam poetry events, long table lunches in the hinterland with various panels and authors as well as hosting ‘Sconeversations’ with foodie authors, an event led by Martin Duncan, known for his popular Sconetime gatherings throughout the region.
“The community loved Sconetime, so we are bringing it back to the CBD for this event with some food authors who can share their secrets on how to publish amazing food cookbooks.”
Ms Billett also encouraged local businesses to participate in the festival. “If you know someone, if you’ve got a business, and you want to host an author event and be part of our program, contact I am Nambour, we’d love to get you involved,” she said.
In addition to author events, the festival will include workshops, such as sessions on converting books to scripts. “We’re going to bring in some workshops about book-to-script adaptation. We have some great worldwide experts lined up to help with that,” Ms Billett said.
Maleny and Nambour Chambers of Commerce were both strongly supportive of the festival. “It is an excellent initiative to showcase the creative writing and storytelling, that is part of the fabric of the Hinterland and is a great opportunity to introduce the visitors for the event to our businesses here in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland,” said Nambour Chamber of Commerce President Mark Bray.
“Maleny is well known for the importance and promotion of literary culture, with three main street bookshops and regular author talks. This inaugural festival further strengthens the importance of storytelling and literature, our unique culture and the hinterland as a destination for cultural tourism,” said Maleny Chamber of Commerce President Spencer Shaw .
Event Coordinator Lea Dodd said her store, Rosetta Books, was delighted to participate in this inspiring festival. “The innovative literary trail across the hinterland will help promote and encourage a culture of reading, thinking and curiosity, as well as support local businesses, many of whom are taking part in the festival in some way.”
• For further information and program participation inquiries, community members are encouraged to contact us at www.IamNambour.com.au. Key Authors and Contributors to the program so far include: Candice Fox, Lynette Noni, Georgia Harper, Ali K Mulford, Ben Hobson, Melissa Ashley, Heidi Merika, Peter Carnavas, Andrew Stanton, Nardi Simpson, Jack Roney, Dan Munday & Jon Coghill from Sunshine Coast Showdown and Karen McKinley.