AN INITIATIVE OF The Makers Shed, Glen Innes, High Country Books platforms and publishes great reads from the regions through our book club and writer’s group, writing workshops, literary events, an occasional writer’s retreat and our independent imprint.
Created by author and journalist Michael Burge and silversmith Richard Moon, our first literary event took place in November 2018, followed by our inaugural writer’s festival and retreat in 2019, and the launch of our publishing arm in 2021.
The Makers Shed acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we operate, the Ngarabal People (also: Ngoorabul, Ngarrabul, Ngarrbal), and pays respect to their elders past, present and emerging.
MICHAEL BURGE Director | Author and journalist Michael Burge was born at Inverell. He was inspired to empower indie publishers on the release of his memoir Questionable Deeds which lifted the lid on homophobia in Australia during the marriage equality campaign. His first novel is Tank Water (MidnightSun Publishing).
VIRGINIA EDDY Retreat Director | A business strategist and writer born at Inverell, Virginia co-created the High Country Writers Retreat with Michael Burge under the banner of her company Boorama. She believes this tailored rural escape is a chance to pause, absorb the landscape and find inspiration.
MARY MOODY Partner | Author and journalist Mary Moody headlined the first High Country Writers Festival in 2019 with her ‘Writing From the Heart’ memoir-writing workshop and her book The Accidental Tour Guide. She is passionate about family, food, travel, gardening and the enrichment of country towns.
MARY GARDEN Partner | Author and journalist Mary Garden is a regular High Country Books collaborator. Her memoir The Serpent Rising won the 2021 High Country Indie Book Award. The seminal biography of her aviator father Oscar Garden – Sundowner of the Skies – was a finalist in the NSW Premier’s History Awards.
CAROL SPARKS Partner | A long-time Glen Innes resident and serving councillor, Carol served the community as Glen Innes and Severn Council Mayor, the first woman to hold that position in the council’s history. She sponsored the annual High Country Indie Book Award with an annual cash prize from 2019-2022.
PARTNER COMPANIES We encourage you to follow!
Boorama business strategies | Seasons of New England | New England Writers’ Centre | Captive Light Media
PARTNER VENUES We encourage you to visit!
Waterloo Station | Glen Innes Highlands Hub | For more information about visiting the region go to Glen Innes Highlands.
ARCHIVES Look how far we’ve come!
The Makers Shed opened in November 2018 with the launch of Patsy Trench’s book A Country to be Reckoned With. Our inaugural festival and retreat took place in 2019 and ran until our 2022 event, with an annual writing award.
Authors Nicole Alexander, Yumna Kassab, Hayley Katzen, Callum Clayton-Dixon, Mary Moody, Richard Anderson, Jessica White, Amanda Woods, Mary Garden, Emma Partridge, Matthew Condon, Kate Holden, Mandy Nolan, George Catsi, Gundula Rhoades, Trish Donald, Sophie Masson, Emma MacTaggart, Gail Galloway and Julie Janson joined us in those years.
Be part of our future by bringing your book to our program.
High Country Books 