2019 Program

March Three full day craft workshops over two weekends (fiction Ariella Van Luyn, non-fiction with Tony Maniaty, editing with Linda Nix). The Writer's Toolkit focusses on a complete preparation for writers, from crafting great work to learning how to self-edit, to understanding and successfully navigating the submissions process to publishers.
April
  • Colour New England Street Arts Festival
May
  • Booked In
For its seventh year, the only children's literature festival in regional NSW will again be run in collaboration with the New England and North West sub branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia. In 2019 the presenters will include popular, best selling author Jacqueline Harvey and multi-talented author/illustrator Fiona McDonald. We will have a full schedule of events including: school visits, which are always very popular with schools across the New England region, including schools with large numbers of indigenous and CALD students. There will also be book signings, and community events. Live streaming of key events at the Sydney Writers' Festival at the local library. 2019 will be the fourth year this popular service has been offered to regional areas. We work in conjunction with the Armidale Dumaresq Library and the Sydney Writers' Festival. June A major new program for 2019, to encourage creative expression and make connections between newly- resettled Yazidi refugee families and the broader Armidale community. In partnership with Settlement Services International, Armidale Regional Council and Arts North West. Will be offered free to all participants.

July An intense half day workshop with best-selling novelist Amanda Hampson. Held over three Saturday mornings, learn how to submit your manuscript to publishers and agents.

August With Pippa Masson from Curtis Brown. One-on-one pitch sessions with two of Australia's top literary agents.

September/October A full day seminar on the realities of running a small press in a regional area. Armidale is in the top three of regional creative hotspots when it comes to publishing (Regional Australia Institute study 2018). In partnership with UNE, this seminar will feature local publishers Christmas Press and Little Pink Dog Books. Each publisher focusses on a different area of publishing from picture books to middle grade novels through to adult fiction, non fiction and poetry.  This seminar will give an insight into the opportunities for regionally based publishers and will enable writers and illustrators to gain an understanding of the industry at a local level. Participants will also be given the chance to pitch to all the publishers.

November   A practical workshop of how-to presented by Debbie Lee (Ingram Spark); Rebecca Lang (self published author and Australian representative of Alliance of Independent Authors); and Golden Orb Creative (editing, design, file prep services, specialise in adult books). This very hands-on weekend will enable writers considering self-publication to learn exactly what is required and involved, from manuscript and file preparation to publishing. A full day of workshops and nature walks held at Newholme Field Lab with local and visiting professionals.


All year Run by NEWC member Kathy Ewers, there will be a monthly topic, videos of international authors, and discussions, with the opportunity for members to read and discuss a short extract of their work in progress. Free for all members!
  • The Illustrators' Circle