Attention bookworms, avid readers and aspiring writers: Storyfest Writers Festival is back for another epic lineup of talks, workshops, panels, and community events, so get excited.
Kicking off on Wednesday 17 March until 20 March, this year’s Storyfest has dozens of events scheduled on the calendar in three action-packed days. Some of Australia’s best authors and visual storytellers including children’s author Andrew Daddo, adventurer and author Tim Cope, and indigenous poet Evelyn Araluen will be in attendance.
As always, to save you the headache and help you narrow things down, we’ve picked out five of the coolest events to hit up at this year’s Storyfest, so let’s get into it.
Prologue Party
Ain’t no party like a Prologue Party? If you’ve ever wanted to meet some of Australia’s best authors and illustrators, Storyfest’s Prologue Party is the place to be. This free event celebrates everything from reading, writing and everything in-between, so get ready to soak up all that tasty tasty knowledge.
When: Wednesday 17 March, 5.30pm
Where: Towers Quad, Somerset College
Cost: Free
Georgia Draws A House
Not many people know the power of home more than Australian illustrator and artist Georgia Norton Lodge aka Georgia Draws A House. Georgia will be drawing the Gold Coast skyline throughout the festival from Wednesday 17 March to Friday 19 March. There will also be a public art installation aiming to connect the wider Gold Coast community too at Ed Hardy Park, Miami Beach Saturday 20 March from 9.30am to 3pm, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for that as well.
When: Wednesday 17 to 19 March
Where: Ed Hardy Park, Miami Beach
Cost: Free
Literary Lunch with Jess Hill
Meet the inspirational and courageous investigative journalist Jess Hill when she hosts a literary lunch, which will challenge your perception about domestic violence and family violence. Promising to be confronting yet riveting, it’s a lunch you definitely won’t want to miss.
When: Thursday 18 March, from 12pm
Where: The Ray Building Dining Room, Somerset College
Cost: $45 per person + inc two course gourmet meal, wine and soft drink. Limited seating available.
Buy tickets here.
Optimists Live Longer
As we’ve all learned from the flaming dumpster fire that was 2020, optimism is now more important than ever. Join Caroline Graham hosts Jess Hill, Matt Beard and Andrea Daddo for an in-depth discussion on optimism. The writers will share how they try to effect change through their work in this free, eye-opening event.
When: Thursday 18 March, 5pm
Where: Mudjira Eatery, Mudgeeraba Markets Shopping Centre
Cost: Free, must RSVP online
Get tickets here.
Literary Long Table with Fiona McIntosh
Internationally bestselling adults and children’s author Fiona McIntosh will be hosting a night to remember during the Literary Long Table at Somerset College at 6pm on 19 March. The cross-genre Australian writer, who has 36 published books, will be sharing her stories, wit, insight and context of some of her novels and stories, so don't miss it.
When: Friday 19 March, 6pm
Where: Towers Quad, Somerset College
Cost: $95 per person, all inclusive
Buy tickets here.
For more details or to see the full program lineup, click here.
Looking for more things to do on the Gold Coast? Check out our Things To Do section.
Image credit: Ichad Windhiagiri