The Macedon Ranges has long proved fertile ground for writing talent – and the latest crop of published women authors proves the rule.
The works of local GP Dr Susi Fox (recently published debut novel Mine), Kirsty Manning (The Midsummer Garden and The Jade Lily) and Dee White (teacher and author of 16 books for children and young adults and numerous articles, short stories and poems), will all be grist for the mill when the three come together to discuss how they got published in the first place at this year’s Woodend Winter Arts Festival.
The three authors promise a lively exchange about the realities of bringing a work to life on the page, negotiating the publishing process and then exposing it to the world.
Kirsty Manning’s second book (The Jade Lily) has recently been sold into North America, Germany and The Netherlands, and will be published in Hebrew. Dr Susi Fox’s debut novel has attracted the interest of critics everywhere with her ‘what if’ story about waking up from a caesarean with the awful instinct that the baby you have been presented with is not your own.
"These three talented writers have approached their craft in very different ways and produced very different kinds of books. They have different life experiences and are at very different stages of their development as authors," said Sheila Drummond, one of the duo (with husband Don) who are responsible for the Festival’s lively, star-flecked Words and Ideas program line up.
This includes: Australia Adrift (Don Watson, Craig Emerson, Sally Warhaft – selling fast), Award winning writer Alex Miller is in conversation with Jan McGuinness about his latest novel The Passage of Love, slam poetry at the pub with award-winning Australian poet and spoken-word performer Emilie Zoey Baker (EZB – who is also running a writing workshop), and Walking and Writing the Camino: Two Steps Forward, with husband and wife writing team Graeme Simsion (The Rosie Project) & psychiatrist Anne Buist (Natalie King thrillers).
Words from Woodend, a panel featuring Dr Susi Fox, Kirsty Manning and Dee White, Sunday 10 June, 10am – 11am. Tickets $20. The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend – 8 - 11 June, with free Fireworks on opening night (8 June) at Buffalo Stadium in Woodend. Full details of the Festival program, and ticket purchases are available at www.woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au
Media inquiries:
Alicia Kokocinski, Festival Publicity
0403 172024
www.woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au ---
