Inaugural St. Albans Writers' Festival to be Held in September

The inaugural 2015 St Albans Writers' Festival, the newest writers' festival in Australia focusing on Australian authors and writing, will take place from Friday 18 September to Sunday 20 September in the rural setting of historic St Albans Village, located in the beautiful Hawkesbury River area less than two hours drive from Sydney.

This literary event will feature speakers Jane Caro, Patrick Cook, Nikki Gemmell, Kate Grenville, Traci Harding, Jean Kittson, Hugh Mackay, Barry Maitland, PM Newton, Michael Robotham, Mark Tedeschi, and other Australian writers.

Talks by individual writers on their latest works, are balanced with panels on crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy and social trends, informal round table chats with writers in the Festival Centre at the heart of the village, as well as book sales and signings courtesy of Berkelouw Books. Evening activities include short films and ghost stories around the fire.

The events are held in and around three historic venues: the St Albans School of Arts (a rare corrugated iron hall built in the last century by locals); the historic sandstone church of St Alban the Martyr; and the Settlers Arms Inn garden (1834).

Meet multi-award winning author Kate Grenville - several of Kate's books have been set in the Hawkesbury area. Hear about writing crime fiction from world famous authors, like Michael Robotham, and from former detectives, such as PM Newton, or about true crime from Mark Tedeschi, who combines writing with his work as Senior Crown Prosecutor in NSW. Laugh with author Jean Kittson who engages audiences with her delicious wit. Grapple with some of the more contentious contemporary social issues with social commentators Jane Caro and Hugh Mackay. Science fantasy fans can get to know St Albans local Traci Harding, Mitchell Hogan and Alan Baxter. Meet new and emerging writers who have made a big splash with their first published works, such as Courtney Collins, Bruce McCabe, and Nigel Bartlett. Find out about the significance of indigenous engraving and painting sites within the Macdonald River catchment from local geologist Gil Jones.

The St Albans Writers' Festival combines a weekend in the country in an atmosphere of warmth and conviviality in local accommodation which is available in a variety of establishments, from old to new, with delicious, locally-prepared food and, of course, intellectual nourishment. Details are on the website.

Registrations are now open - please visit the website.

Full programme information and writer biographies are available on the website: www.stalbanswritersfestival.com.au.

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