Over the years, I’ve attended many, many writers festivals as an audience member in Australia, Canada and the USA. As an unknown writer toiling away in the hope that someone would publish my stories, I watched in awe as published writers sat on panels and spoke to readers about their journeys, their stories, their passion.
My very first writers festival was in Byron Bay in 2004. I met three writers there who took time out to chat with me personally about the writing process and the industry, and they encouraged me to keep going, to never give up. I’ll never forget the kindness of Nick Earls, Jessica Adams, and Linda Jaivin. They helped create a deep desire in me to one day be up on stage at a writers festival and talk about my journey and my stories.
Well, eleven years later it’s finally happened! I’m am super pleased to announce I will be appearing on three panels at the Bendigo Writers Festival in August and I could not be happier!
The three panels I’m on are (click on titles for details):
WHAT IT TAKES (this will be live streamed through The Wheel Centre – it will exciting and nerve-wracking!)
If you’d like to find out more, please click here. The program looks fabulous and there is a wonderful range of writers, so you’re bound to find someone you’d like to see!
And a special thank you to those who have encouraged me to pursue this dream. It means so very much to me and I look forward to meeting lots of readers and writers in Bendigo, a gorgeous place full of history and love for words in all its forms.
Alli Sinclair 
I’m really really glad to see this. You’ve earned it. Enjoy every minute of it. May it be the first of many.
If you get stuck, just tell Alicia Sometimes you’re fartsick and she’ll happily bail you out. (Welcome in to what might be your first writers’ circuit in-joke – do mention the word to her and tell her it came from me. Just say, ‘Nick Earls told me if I got fartsick you’d help me.’)
But no, you won’t get stuck. You’re a pro. You’ll get yourself ready, maybe that’ll help fray the nerves a little less and then off you’ll go. Have a few good stories to tell and remember the audience actually wants to be nice to you. You’re not a politician.
Thanks for stopping by, Nick! Your message made me laugh out loud a few times and I will DEFINITELY mention you and fartsick to Alicia! And yes, I’m not a politician so I’m hoping there won’t be any rotten tomatoes. > grin < I am really looking forward to this experience and I thank you sincerely for showing a newbie author all those years ago what can happen if you work hard and follow your dreams and passion. Here's to no episodes of being fartsick!