THE South Coast Readers and Writers Festival will offer an exciting line-up of more than 40 award-winning and debut authors, poets, academics and journalists across 22 sessions at Thirroul over the weekend of 13-14 July.

The Festival has a big, bold program that covers everything from the literary classics to the pressing issues of current affairs.

Festival sessions tackle war writing, the music industry, ecology, the business of publishing, the craft of writing, family drama, crime, fairytales and Greek mythology. They range over genres from poetry to literary fiction, suspense, biography, memoir, historical fiction and First Nations writing.

Festival director Dr Sarah Nicholson said, returning for its third year in 2024, the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival promises a weekend filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring conversations.

“We have renamed ourselves as the South Coast Readers and Writers Festival so that it is clear to the many readers in our community that this festival is for them,” Dr Nicholson said.

“This isn’t a festival only for writers; it is a festival with writers that is designed for their readers! It’s a place for readers to hear more from writers, to learn about and find new books, and to learn more about the process behind their creation.

“All readers should feel very welcome to join us for a lovely weekend of insightful conversation.”

Dr Nicholson said the South Coast boasts a trove of hidden talent and this year’s festival line-up is 60 percent local.

“Come along and discover some of the local literary talent that is hiding on the coast.”

The festival has locals debuting new books such as Kell Woods, Emma Darragh and Mitch Jennings, as well as established award-winning writers returning to discuss their latest work including Catherine McKinnon, Kirli Saunders and Helena Fox.

This year the festival has moved to the Thirroul District Community Centre.

“It’s at a public transport hub and gives festival guests easy access to Thirroul’s great cafés,” Dr Nicholson said.

“We’ve got Thirroul local, Collins Booksellers, selling festival books onsite, and we are thrilled to have partnered with Wollongong City Libraries again to present two free young readers and writers sessions in the same building (Thirroul Library).”

The full festival program and tickets are now available, at southcoastwriters.org/festival.

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