Some of Australia's best writers will be accessible via online programs at two Illawarra writers' festivals which have pushed their events schedule online, in response to COVID-19 restrictions.
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It's rumoured the winner of Australia's richest literary prize, Wollongong-born Tara June Winch, may make an appearance in a yet-to-be-announced line-up for the Wollongong Writers' Festival (WWF) in November.
Now based in France, Ms Winch won the Miles Franklin Award in June, for her second novel The Yield - and hoped the win would shine a light on the stories of First Nations people.
WWF director Chloe Higgins could not confirm or deny the addition of the Wiradjuri author to the program, but did divulge all but three artists were locked in and included some literary award winners.
"Yes, we've got a couple of the biggest names in the country coming to this year's festival," she said, noting the full program would be announced at the end of October.
Ms Higgins said while the festival had "shrunk" to around 13 events across November 28 and 29, it would be a case of quality over quantity for the not-for-profit festival.
"One of the silver linings ... of COVID-19 is making the arts more accessible," Ms Higgins said.
"It's going to still have a lot of author talks, panels, discussions and interviews ... with some really top notch writers from around the country."
The bonus of moving the events to an interactive online platform is not only does it open up opportunities to engage with "top notch" writers from the other side of the globe, but it also opens opportunities for readers and/or writers who might not have been able to attend.
"We're really using the COVID-forced shift into online programming to bring in a few international artists," Ms Higgins said. "It's something I've wanted to do for a while, but resources have been a limiting factor."
Throughout October, the Heroines Festival will celebrate women's voices via an array of author talks, workshops and discussion panels on the web.
Now in its third year, the festival involves women writers telling women's stories and includes 16 author-led book clubs, book readings, authors in conversation, live Q&A discussions and writing workshops.
"Women's issues haven't gone away despite being overshadowed by the serious and traumatic events we are facing this year," event organiser Sarah Nicholson said.
"More than ever, we know that people have been turning to storytelling for solace."
A selection of fiction and memoir authors have been announced in the program, this includes: Amra Pajalic reflecting on her mother's experiences of bipolar disorder and migration; Karen Brooks analysing witchcraft trials to illustrate women's defiance of authority; and Julie Janson discussing Aboriginal identity and survival against the backdrop of British colonisation.
"It's also a month-long conversation fest where you get to browse various books, engage with fellow readers, and get intimate with our ... authors," Dr Nicholson said.
The full program for the WWF will be announced on October 29, while the Heroine's Festival can be accessed at www.theneoperennialpress.com.
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