INSIDE STORY: Writing workshop
Venue: The Makers Shed, 123 Grey Street, Glen Innes
Time: 10am-12pm Cost: $30 BOOK
Join author Sophie Masson for a session on what makes a great children’s book in 2022. How does children’s publishing work? And how can you reach contemporary young readers? In this informative and practical workshop centred around the fabulous new book ‘Inside Story: the wonderful world of writing, illustrating and publishing children’s books,’ this local children’s book professional reveals the opportunities and challenges of creating and producing books for young readers.

WRITE REGARDLESS!: Writing workshop
Venue: Highlands Hub (old Holden Building), 167 Grey Street, Glen Innes
Time: 10am-12pm Cost: $30 BOOK
Join author and journalist Michael Burge for a session on how to get your book project back on track. All writers reach a point where we despair about our manuscripts, or we believe they’re the greatest thing ever written! Michael has a handy guide to resuscitate even the most stymied writing between these extremes. Using a fun and practical approach to analysing the hallmarks of great storytelling, he’ll have you walking out the door inspired to keep writing!

LUNCH & AWARD CEREMONY
Venue: The Makers Shed, 123 Grey Street, Glen Innes
Time: 12pm-1pm Cost: $15 BOOK
Join the members of the High Country Book Club for the announcement of their annual High Country Indie Book Award and a light lunch. Meet festival authors, talk to the New England Writer’s Centre, stock up on books for Christmas and book last-minute tickets for afternoon festival author talks.

CSI NEW ENGLAND: Rural true crimes in the spotlight
Venue: Highlands Hub (old Holden Building), 167 Grey Street, Glen Innes
Time: 1.30-2.30pm Cost: $25 BOOK
Award-winning author and journalist Matthew Condon (‘The Night Dragon’) will lead a conversation featuring authors Kate Holden (‘The Winter Road’) and Emma Partridge (‘The Widow of Walcha’) about true-life crimes that took place in the New England region. With Emma in the room, and Kate on the big screen, this author talk will include a Q&A session.

FRONTIER HEARTLAND: Historical novels and the search for home
Venue: Highlands Hub (old Holden Building), 167 Grey Street, Glen Innes
Time: 3.00-4.00pm Cost: $25 BOOK
ABC New England North West presenter Kristy Reading (Thursday Morning Book Club) will lead a conversation featuring authors Nicole Alexander (‘The Last Station’) and Julie Janson (‘Benevolence’) about historical characters seeking a place to settle during a century of conflict. With Nicole in the room, and Julie on the big screen, this author talk will include a Q&A session.

BACKSTORIES: The pain and pleasure of making a book
Venue: The Makers Shed, 123 Grey Street, Glen Innes
Time: 5.00-6.00pm Cost: $15 BOOK
Readers and writers are invited to join the conversation with a selection of festival authors to explore what goes into the creation of a book. From fiction to non-fiction, life stories to journalism, we invite you to grab a cuppa and a bite, pose questions, raise issues, and share the experience of wordsmithing in all its forms. Moderated by author and Guardian Australia journalist Michael Burge.

LIFE SENTENCE: Writing workshop
Venue: Glen Innes Services Club
Time: 1-3pm Cost: $60 BOOK
Get started on that memoir you’ve always said you’d write, with author Mandy Nolan and AWGIE-award winning writer George Catsi!

FESTIVAL LAUNCH
Venue: Glen Innes Services Club
Time: 5.15-5.45pm Cost: FREE NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Join us for a drink and a nibble as Mandy Nolan launches the 4th annual High Country Writers Festival. Expect a side-splitting speech!

AM I WHO I SAY I AM?: Comedic memoir
Venue: Glen Innes Services Club
Time: 6-7.15pm Cost: $25 BOOK
From Crete to Cairo, from Detroit to Sydney, a funny and heartfelt evening with comedian George Catsi about what it means to belong!

THE FULL MANDY: Comedy show
Venue: Glen Innes Services Club
Time: 8-9pm Cost: $25 BOOK
One hour of rapid-fire stand up comedy that traverses the personal, the political and the perverse. Nolan is a force of nature both on and off stage!