Program
Inspiring readers and writers alike, our packed three-day program celebrates the best of Australia’s literary landscape: joyful, thought-provoking and thrilling opportunities to connect with the written word, and each other. Weekend and day passes, workshops and special events are on sale now.
Program at a Glance:
Tickets:
EXPERIMENTS IN POETIC FORM with Felicity Plunkett
Understand what it is that makes the best poems work, and use guided prompts and creative exploration to begin drafting your own new poems.
FIND YOUR STORY, FIND YOUR VOICE with Emily Maguire
Learn to find story ideas hiding in plain sight, discover ways to supercharge your imagination (even if you think you don’t have one) and practice overcoming fear and self-consciousness when it comes to getting your words on the page.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH DR CAROL MAJOR ‘The Book Whisperer’ | Writer Conversations
Clarify the vision at the heart of your project with a one-on-one conversation with 'book whisperer' Carol Major.
PITCHING TO LITERARY JOURNALS with James Jiang
Join James Jiang, Editor of the Sydney Review of Books, for this extended industry workshop on the art of pitching.
NATURE WRITING AT VARUNA with Viki Cramer
Learn to find story ideas hiding in plain sight, discover ways to supercharge your imagination (even if you think you don’t have one), and practice overcoming fear and self-consciousness when it comes to getting your words on the page.
UNDERNEATH THE POETREE A Lyric Writing Workshop
Garner tricks of the trade from award-winning artist Nick Solo while discovering how to develop your work across the boundaries of lyrics, raps, poetry and prose.
WRITE THE PERFECT CRIME with Jack Heath
Dive deep into the world of crime fiction with bestselling author Jack Heath. Discover how to craft flawed detectives and sinister perpetrators, richly textured settings, twists that leave readers gasping, and stylish, economical prose.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH FELICITY PLUNKETT Writer Conversations
Felicity Plunkett’s expertise and gentle guidance makes her one of Varuna’s most sought after mentors. In this 30-minute session, you can ask questions and receive feedback on your work, finding sustenance and inspiration for your creative practice.
SENSE MEMORY AND MEMOIR with Kris Kneen
Lift your work from the mundane into an immersive, sensual, whole-body experience, bringing your memoir to life for your readers.
AN ILLUSTRATED TALE Workshop with Sami Bayly
Discover your inner artist, or your inner child, and create beautiful illustrations to accompany your own writing, with illustrator Sami Bayly.
EDITING YOUR OWN WORK with Peter Polites
Hone your editing skills and learn new editing strategies in this hands-on workshop with Sydney novelist Peter Polites.
DEFAMATION LAW FOR WRITERS Free Arts Law Workshop
Join the Arts Law Centre of Australia for an overview of Australian defamation law and recent cases, as well as tips on how to balance defamation risk and expression as a writer in Australia.
LEGAL ISSUES 101 FOR WRITERS Free Arts Law Workshop
Join the Arts Law Centre of Australia for this workshop that will outline some practical tips for writers in avoiding scandals or other legal pitfalls.
Yanmawi Murugu – Dharug Language Workshop #2
Revitalising Dharug language is fun! The workshop provides a place for all ages to listen and speak – and walk away with a deeper understanding of the need to revitalise Aboriginal languages.
Developing Your Writer’s Voice, with Lee Kofman
Explore what your voice is like in this hands-on workshop and discover how to use your inner world, thoughts and emotions to nurture your literary projects.
Yanmawi Murugu – Dharug Language Workshop
Revitalising Dharug language is fun! The workshop provides a place for all ages to listen and speak – and walk away with a deeper understanding of the need to revitalise Aboriginal languages.
Healing Through Narrative, with Betsy Cornwell (Ireland)
Join New York Times bestselling author Betsy Cornwell for a gentle, welcoming two-hour workshop focused on the healing power of reading, writing and storytelling.
The Rules of Writing Rom-Com with Melanie Saward
Come and learn the rules of writing rom-com and how to leverage the genre's conventions and traditions to write a story that today's publishers are looking for.
The Success of Failure: A Workshop with Nevo Zisin
Join Nevo Zisin for this empowering workshop that tackles the need for perfection and shows you how to embrace the beauty and importance of making mistakes.
Balancing Defamation Risk and Expression as a Writer
This free session will provide an overview of Australian defamation law and recent case history, discussing how writers can best deal with defamation risk.
One-on-One Writer Conversations, with mentor Ashley Hay
At this special Festival event, Varuna offers you the opportunity to have a one-on-one 30-minute consultation with Ashley.
Ten Things You Need to Know About Publishing Agreements
During this session Katherine Giles, from the Arts Law Centre of Australia, will take you through the ten things she loves about publishing agreements – and what to try to change if you’re unsure about the one that arrives in your inbox!
Weaving Memoir, with Kris Kneen
Kris Kneen takes you through a different process of structuring your memoir, exploring the structure of weaving several stories organised by a unifying theme.
The Short Story Starter Kit, with Jan Carson (Ireland)
This interactive three-hour course facilitated by award-winning Belfast-based writer Jan Carson will guide you through the basics of writing imaginative and engaging short stories.
One-on-One Writer Conversations with Lee Kofman
Join renowned author and writing coach Lee Kofman for a one-on-one 30-minute consultation.
The Art of Redrafting: Writing Workshop with Felicity Plunkett
Explore editorial techniques to fearlessly redraft your poetry and prose with Felicity Plunkett.
How to Write About - and With - Art: Workshop with Anwen Crawford
Hone critical skills and incorporate artworks into your writing, with the Archibald Prize exhibition as live inspiration in the next room.
Yanmangun Murugu - We Walk Together: Darug Language workshop
Discover how Darug vocabulary connects to Country in this welcoming session that will open your mind to new sounds, words and ideas.
Reflective Writing for Wellbeing: Workshop with Hilton Koppe
Join Hilton Koppe for this fun-filled workshop, and find joy and wellbeing with your creative practice.
Your story, your voice: Writing workshop with Emily Maguire
Join Emily Maguire for this inspiring workshop. Leave with the knowledge that you are an inspired writer with a style all your own.
The Craft of Creative Non-fiction: Writing workshop with Rick Morton
Discover tools and attitudes to make your writing sparkle, and tell your story with precision and flair.
From the Page to the Screen: Screenwriting workshop with Guy Edmonds
Let's get that story onto the screen! Work with Emmy Award-winning Guy Edmonds to crack open the fundamentals of writing stories for the screen.
Perfect Your Pitch!: With Catriona Menzies-Pike
Perfect the pitch for your essay, article or review with a one-on-one session with Catriona Menzies-Pike, editor of Sydney Review of Books.