Take a look at the sessions
Across 23 sessions, featuring over 36 authors, the festival explores storytelling in many forms — from novels and memoirs to journalism, playwriting and young adult fiction. The program includes lively panel discussions, intimate one-to-one author conversations and practical sessions for those interested in the craft of writing.
New Sessions available
Crafting Romance that Resonates
Steph Vizard
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 10:00am-10:45am
See our full session line up below
Writing the Past
Alli Sinclair
Moderator: Charlotte Grieve
Join bestselling author Alli Sinclair for a conversation about the craft of historical fiction, her inspiration, and her journey from writing books to developing stories for film.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 9:00am-9:45am
Love, Loss & Letting Go
Melissa Manning
Moderator: Rhett Davis
Join award-winning author Melissa Manning in conversation about her new novel, Frogsong. A lyrical story of love, loyalty and grief. Melissa discusses the inspiration behind the book, her journey, and the themes that shape her work.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 9:00am-9:45am
The Courage to Speak Your Truth
Kath Essing
Moderator: Xanthe Essing
Join Kath Essing for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about her book The Courage to Speak the Truth. Exploring themes of honesty, resilience and self-expression. This is a heartfelt session about courage, connection and the stories we choose to tell.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 9:00am-9:45am
Why YA Matters
YA Panel with Miranda Luby, Troy Hunter & Karen Comer
Moderator: Christine Keighery
Young Adult fiction has the power to shape readers at a pivotal moment in their lives. In this panel, our authors discuss their novels and why they’ve chosen to write for young audiences. This conversation will particularly resonate with aspiring writers looking to explore the genre.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 10:00am-11:00am
A Love Story from the Depths of War
Antoun Issa
Moderator: Kate Halfpenny
What makes a story work in theatre? In this panel, playwrights discuss the craft of writing for live performance, sharing insights into dialogue, character, structure and the collaborative process that brings a script to life on stage.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 10:00am-10:45am
Writing for the Stage
Playwrights Panel with Janet Brown & Sandy Fairthorne
Moderator: Nikki Watson
What makes a story work in theatre? In this panel, playwrights discuss the craft of writing for live performance, sharing insights into dialogue, character, structure and the collaborative process that brings a script to life on stage.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 10:00am-10:45am
The Desert Swimmer
Brendan Cullen with Paul Mitchell
Moderator: Charlotte Grieve
Dive into the remarkable true story behind The Desert Swimmer as Brendan Cullen and Paul Mitchell share the inspiration, challenges and human spirit at the heart of their book.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 11:15pm-12:00pm
Taking the Next Step
Emerging Writers Panel with Bonnie Tai, Lisa Moule & Mali Cornish
Moderator: Mark Smith
You’ve written the words — but what comes next? In this practical and inspiring panel, emerging authors share their journeys from aspiring writer to published author.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Creating Symbols for Meaning
Karen Comer Workshop
This workshop is open to adults who want to write for a Young Adult audience, regardless of where they are in their process. Karen will guide participants to: create a symbol of meaning for their book, consider how this symbol can measure their character’s growth, weave in layers of meaning around their theme, and consider their symbol’s change or stasis.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Detectives, Villains & Anti-Heroes
Crime Writers Panel with Mali Cornish, Christine Keighery & J.P. Pomare
Moderator: Andie Hamblin
What makes a great crime character? In this panel, leading crime writers explore how they create compelling protagonists, antagonists and morally complex characters that keep readers hooked until the final page.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm
It’s Never Too Late to Begin
Chrissie Bellbrae
Moderator: Troy Hunter
In this conversation, Chrissie reflects on finding the courage to begin, drawing inspiration from the mysteries of ancestry, and crafting historical fiction that weaves the past with the present. A warm and inspiring discussion about creativity, resilience and the power of starting something new — at any age.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 12:30pm-1:15pm
Developing Three Dimensional Characters
Alli Sinclair Workshop
Bring your characters to life in this hands-on workshop with bestselling author Alli Sinclair. Designed for writers at all stages, this session explores how to create layered, believable characters with depth, motivation and emotional resonance.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 12:15pm-3:00pm
Live Podcast with He Read,
She Read
Sarah Bailey and J.P Pomare
What happens when two bestselling authors turn the spotlight on each other’s work? Join Sarah Bailey and J.P. Pomare for a special live edition of He Read, She Read podcast, where they dive into their books The Gambler and Click — unpacking the twists, themes and creative decisions behind each novel. Expect sharp insights, candid conversation and a dynamic back-and-forth as they explore the art of storytelling from both sides of the page.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 1:45pm-2:45pm
The Power of Choice
Julian Kingma
Moderator: Brooke Davis
Award-winning photographer Julian Kingma turns his camera on those who choose assisted dying, and those who help them on their final journey. Including essays from Andrew Denton and Richard Flanagan.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 1:30pm-2:15pm
Inside the Mind of a Crime Writer
Crime Writers Panel with Mark Smith, Tanya Scott & Luke Johnson
Moderator: Andie Hamblin
What draws readers to crime fiction? In this gripping panel, crime authors discuss the art of building suspense, crafting unforgettable detectives and villains, and keeping readers turning the page until the very last twist.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm
Periodic Bitch: In Conversation with Emma Hardy
Moderator: Charlotte Guest
An honest and entertaining conversation about her new book Periodic Bitch. Exploring the realities of hormones, mood swings and the emotional landscape of womanhood, Emma brings humour and insight to a topic many experience but few openly discuss.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 2:30pm-3:15pm
Midlife: What the hell happened?
Kate Halfpenny
Moderator: Janet Brown
Join Kate Halfpenny for an honest conversation about midlife, identity and the unexpected twists that come with it. Kate reflects on work, ambition and the moments that make us pause, reassess and sometimes laugh at how life really turns out.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 3:30pm-4:15pm
The Power of Poetry
Poetry Panel with Dianne Fahey, Robyn Rowland & Geoff Carr
Moderator: Chrissie Bellbrae
Step into the rhythm and resonance of poetry in this intimate panel exploring the craft, courage and creativity behind the form. From page to performance, discover how poets shape language into something that lingers long after the final line.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 3:15-4:00pm
How They Get You
Chris Kohler
Moderator: Mia de Rauch
Join Chris Kohler for a compelling conversation about his new book How They Get You, as he unpacks the hidden tactics, subtle influences and psychological hooks that shape our decisions every day.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 4:30pm-5:15pm
Billie King
Shannon Kelly-White
From the “slightly unhinged” cult following of Shannon’s Kitchen to her debut novel Billie King, join Shannon Kelly-White as she discusses her transition from award-winning cookbooks to fiction. This engaging session explores storytelling, creativity, and the bold journey of bringing a new novel to life.
Craft and Creativity workshop for teens
(ages 13-17)
Miranda Luby
This workshop for teenagers, run by award-winning young adult author Miranda Luby, will inspire young writers and readers with discussions and activities around craft, creativity and the writing life.
Venue: RACV Torquay Resort
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
The Bookshop of Buried Pasts
Sarah Clutton
Sarah will share the inspiration behind her new novel, her writing process, and the themes of identity, history and belonging that weave through her work. Blending mystery, memory and the magic of books, The Bookshop of Buried Books is a beautifully layered story that explores what happens when long-hidden secrets begin to surface.
Crafting Romance that Resonates
Steph Vizard
A heartfelt and engaging conversation on the art of writing romance. From building authentic chemistry to creating emotional stakes that keep readers turning pages, Steph explores what makes a love story truly resonate.