First Friday, our monthly conversation with an industry professional, is a chance for our community to learn more about the writing and publishing industry. This June, we invite you to our online event with commissioning editor for Ultimo Press, Brigid Mullane. In conversation with Program Director, Julia Tsalis, Brigid will be discussing her role as […]

The Writing NSW Kids & YA Festival is back! Directed by award-winning, internationally published children’s author Belinda Murrell, the Festival will showcase some of Australia’s best-known and dearly loved authors, illustrators, publishers, media personnel and industry professionals.

Award-winning author Belinda Murrell shares her insights into the industry after publishing over 35 books.

Life is never elsewhere. Cultural life is everywhere, including country towns.

With more than 20 years in writing with a career spanning travel journalism, technical writing, editing, and public relations, best-selling children’s author Belinda Murrell discussed her writing career, her writing practice, and what we can expect at this year’s Kids & YA Festival.

“I hope that my readers either feel validated and empowered by seeing themselves in my stories; or feel curious about their own assumptions and experiences, to better understand the world of my characters, and feel more connected to them.”

“Suddenly I had the character of Finn, a character who refused to be silenced – and that was the message we wanted to bring to the screen.”

“Lean into the emotion. By their nature, psychological thrillers (and psychological dramas, which I feel better describes my writing!) turn on internal conflict, and so it follows that gripping and plausible internal drama maximises their effectiveness.”