On Saturday more than 100 writers and readers focused and absorbed on the array of talks given by authors and editors at this year’s Writers Unleashed festival held at Tradies in Gymea.
Now in its 9th year, the event showcased authors from all different genres, styles and readerships.
The children’s authors, Catherine Pelosi, Tim Harris, Jacqueline Harvey, Libby Hathorn and Ursula Dubosarsky brought their own unique knowledge, style and inspiration.
The ideas flowed from topics on the writers’ toolbox providing ideas on how to develop a series, writing imaginatively and unearthing the real stories.
Author Chris Hammer gave an insight into his first fictional novel Scrublands.
L.A. Larkin showed what’s needed to write a thriller and Nicola Moriarty, Lauren Chater and Belinda Castles gave valuable clues on research, the writer’s style and fuel for the novel.
Poet Sara Mansour gave a personal look into her own work and her organisation with the Bankstown Poetry Slam.
Stella Tarakson revealed what’s required if you wanted to gain a contract overseas and Catherine Jinks unlocked all her historical knowledge of how she writes for so many different readerships.
Editor Linda Funnell gave much needed advice on polishing up your manuscript.
The local author panel, Courtney Peppernell, Dianne Todaro-Wells and Antoinette Conolly, provided inspiration to local writers revealing their personal writing journey.
The editor panel divulged tips and “what’s hot in publishing” and also gave advice on keeping to your own unique style and topics.
Editor consultations proved popular and they revealed the elements required for writers to take their work to the next level.
Sylvia Vago the awards co-ordinator and editor Clare Halifax from Scholastic Publishing awarded the Writers’ Unleashed Picture Book Writing Awards to an expectant audience.
Inspired by these professional authors, writers networked, exchanged their own experiences and drew on ideas from other emerging writers.
“The event ran so smoothly and we all gained such valuable ideas, knowledge and further direction on the craft of writing,” said Julianne Miles-Brown, Writers Unleashed Director.
