Creative Regions has released a superb line-up of speakers for this year’s WriteFest, now being held in October (not May) as part of the annual Crush Festival at Bundaberg.
The committee has done a fabulous job of cobbling together some outstanding authors for this year’s event, including international bestseller Rachael Johns (pictured), Victorian Premier’s Literary Award winner Angela Savage, foodie fashionista Josephine Moon and Indie publishing dynamo Justin Sheedy.
Two other shining stars at this year’s event are HarperCollins Publishers Marketing Communications Head Jaki Arthur and Random House Australia Editor Lex Hirst.
Published and emerging authors, who have completed a full manuscript, have the chance to pitch their MS to Ms Hirst at this year’s WriteFest. More details here while your application can be found here.
I was lucky enough to attend a special marketing workshop with Jaki Arthur in Brisbane two years ago. It was not only unbelievably informative but drenched with enthusiasm. In a world where naysayers and the media constantly bemoan the dark future of writers and publishing, Jaki’s insights and down-to-earth strategies are sunshine-filled days and added silver linings for all authors dedicated to their craft. She certainly converted me.
JL: I’ve always wanted to write. I’ve been writing my own stories, just for my enjoyment, since I was a teenager. Writing also helped me cope through some of the darker days of my life. In my stories I could escape this terrible world into one of my own making. I have to say, I couldn’t publish them now. Talk about following the fundamental rules. At the time, it didn’t matter. I finally decided to put something on paper after being asked to be a beta reader by a friend. I didn’t even know what one was, but I read her stories, corrected what I thought should be corrected and let her know what I thought. This included words I had never heard of before like ‘laved’. Incidentally, even though I know what it means, I still don’t like the word. What inspired me to write Spirit of Love was a love of old buildings, English Heritage, the TV shows ‘Grand Designs’ and ‘Restoration House’ and a case of thinking, ‘What if.’
What do you love most about being published?
. Um, actually the Multiverse.
