Katapult - Edition 4 - Newcastle Writers Festival - April, 2018

Welcome to Katapult!

In this edition I would like to reflect on what a wonderful time everyone involved had during the 2018 Newcastle Writers Festival last week. The festival had three main parts: the Schools Program, the Main Program, and the Family Fun Day.

The Schools Program was held over two days. The first day (Thursday) was hosted by Cessnock Library and involved Kate and Jol Temple, Yvette Poshoglian and Tristan Bancks presenting in lots of schools in the Cessnock area. I heard they all had a hoot! 

Books by Yvette Poshoglian

Books by Jol and Kate Temple

Tristan Bancks (photo from NWF 2014)

The second day (Friday) was held in Newcastle between Newcastle Region Library and Newcastle City Hall. Wonderful presenters included Leigh Hobbs, Yvette Poshoglian, Jess Black, Paul Russell, Kate and Jol Temple, Liz Anelli, Gregg Dreise, and Tristan Bancks. The kids were treated to presentations and workshops that left them inspired to read and write. This is always my favourite day of the festival. It takes me back to my teaching days.

There may be a story about a bus full of kids attending the festival getting a flat tyre before they even arrived which could have caused me as a program supervisor a minor breakdown, but everything worked out in the end - thank goodness :)

Liz Anelli

Books by Leigh Hobbs

Books by Jess Black 

That night I attended the festival's opening night event: Jimmy Barnes - Working Class Man at the Civic Theatre. Jimmy told the story of his life in the Cold Chisel days as well has his solo career. He laughed, cracked jokes, sang, and shared his very personal journey with suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, and depression. I was left wondering how he's still alive! 

Civic theatre just before Jimmy Barnes took the stage

On the Sunday, the festival hosted the Family Fun Day. Kids and their families were entertained by a host of guests and local talent including Zanni Louise, Gregg Dreise, Lynn Jenkins and Kirrili Lonergan from Lessons of a LAC, Renee Price from Digby Fixit Live!, and Emily S. Smith and Graham Davidson from Storytime Lane. This was another jam-packed event full of fun, dancing, entertainment and inspiration.

 

Zanni Loiuse and Digby's Moon Misison by Renee Price

  

Images from Lessons of a LAC

Of course I had to buy books at the festival. Here's a few of my purchases. My kids ran off with them as soon as I brought them home. Now I need to find them so I can read them.

Books by Jol and Kate Temple, and Zanni Loiuse

Congratulations to all involved in bringing the festival alive again this year. Thanks to all the schools and parents who brought their kids along. And congratulations to all the kids who threw themselves into the activities and stories presented to them. 

    Family Fun Day marquee in Wheeler Place

If you want to keep up with out-of-festival events and next year's festival to be held 5-7 April, subscribe to the NWF newsletter here.

One of these upcoming out-of-festival events: Terry Denton and Andy Griffiths are coming to Newcastle on the 15th July to present their new book, The 104-Storey Treehouse. Ticket still available here. Hurry! Tickets selling fast. I'll be there!

I look forward to doing it all again next year. I may even launch a book or two!

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of my photos have loaded. Head over to my author Facebook page  

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Blast from the past: A photo of Matt Ottley and myself (NWF 2015).

Sydney Writers' Festival Family Fun Day 2015

My son and I caught a train at 6:42am on Sunday morning and headed down to the SWF Family Fun Day.

I couldn't drive as I currently have a broken arm and I didn't want us to miss out so the train sounded like a fun way to enjoy the day together.

First session with Andy Griffiths started at 10am. This was the main reason were we going. Andy is the reason why I now read and enjoy books. He is the reason I write humour and love it even though I don't think I'm that funny. I may have already heard him speak at Sydney, Byron Bay (twice) and Canberra and spoken to him personally on several occasions (plus a few photos), but I just can't get enough of this amazing, talented man. My son was also sick of hearing me talk about him and wanted to see what the fuss was about.

LOCKED OUT!

By the time we trained for two and a half hours to Central Station and then made our way to Walsh Bay, the session became booked out.

As we stood in the overflow line, our hearts sinking as we heard a thousand apologies from Andy's publicists, I just couldn't believe it. I was cold, caffeine deprived, tired from a family event the night before, and dumbfounded. I had my son looking at me hoping for a miracle.

Hole in the wall

Soon we were invited to join the front of Andy's signing line as compensation. At least we were in front of all the little mites who did get into that talk and listen to those inspirational words come out of that legend's mouth.

After waiting for an hour we got our moment. Andy asked me how my broken arm was going and how I did it (I told him I feel out of a treehouse). Andy told us Terry finished the illustrations for The 65-Storey Treehouse two days ago and it will be out 12th August.

Aidan and I got our photos and we were happy. Aidan wore his 'Just a stupid T-shirt' t-shirt especially for this photographic moment.  Afterwards we realised he forgot to take his jumper off! (I told you it was cold). It was 11:30am by this stage. It had been 6 hours since the day started for us and all we had done was get to the front of a signing line. But look - so worth it!

After a quick lunch we attended Tashi's 20th Birthday Party (and missed out on birthday cake as there were hundreds of children), a drawing session with Leigh Hobbs (evidence below), and the festival's big backyard before heading home.



Leigh Hobbs

Old Tom

Mr Chicken

We enjoyed crossing over with Tony Flowers, Belinda Murrell, and Serena Geddes in the big backyard.





Later we heard the SWF Family Fun Day was at capacity - and it felt like it was too. Andy signed for over an amazing 5 hours. We left with a pile of new books and experiences to share with others.

signed by Tony Flowers

signed by Andy Griffiths

signed by Serena Geddes

We were glad we made the effort. I got some great ideas for the Newcastle Writers Festival next year. Aidan and I had such a lovely day spending it one-on-one as this doesn't happen as often as we would like. A treasured day for us!