August is an extravaganza of Writers Festivals, all around the state and in Victoria. You can catch your favourite authors at: Byron Bay Writers Festival from 5-7 Aug, Storyology from Aug 10-12 Aug, Bendigo Writers Festival from 12-14 Aug, Canberra Writers Festival runs from 26-28 Aug, the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival 27-28 Aug and of course Melbourne Writers Festival from 26 Aug – 4 Sep.
And please, don’t forget to show your local bookshop some love on National Bookshop Day 13th of August.
August 4 – Caravan Slam
The Caravan Poetry Slam brings together around 20 local poets, a panel of judges, and a room full of what they hope to be, “open hearts instead of roses, open minds instead of rotten tomatoes.” Anyone can sign up and sacrifice their three-minute slam to the open space. Interactivity is integral, with other elements of ‘Emergency Art’ integrated into the night in the form of written confessionals and ‘coughed up’ soapbox-style Emergency Slams. Doors 6pm, poet registration 7pm, show at 8pm. $5 at Marrickville’s bohemian and iconic Camelot Lounge
Starting 8th Aug – Staging Stories: Adult Solo Theatre Workshops
Facilitated by respected theatre professionals, Staging Stories is a solo theatre workshop designed to unlock your potential as a both a writer and performer and put your story in the spotlight. Building over a series of weeks, the workshops will give you an overview into performance and storytelling like you’ve never experienced, providing you with an opportunity to develop your confidence, expand your network and explore your ideas. Aug 8 – Nov 26 at Casula Powerhouse. Bookings and enquiries Ph: 9824 1121 E: reception@casulapowerhouse.com
Until the 6th of Aug – Those Who Fall in Love Like Anchors Dropped Upon the Ocean Floor
Those Who Fall in Love Like Anchors Dropped Upon the Ocean Floor by Finegan Kruckemeyer is a love story that transcends time – moving from a Cold War Russian submarine, through a Parisian street, to an Appalachian snow field. It follows four stories and eleven characters as they navigate that timeless act of falling in love. Don’t miss this play that the SMH calls “deliberately charming exercise in storytelling”.
Saturday Aug 6 – Write Here
The friendly folk at The Writers Bloc host a monthly event at 107 Projects in Redfern. Get some serious words on the page, surrounded by other writers as well as a wonderful, creative space to draw inspiration from. If you’re on Twitter, jump in the #WriteHere hashtag and see who else is involved. Kicking off at 11am until 1/1.30.
Saturday 6 Aug – Love Between the Covers
Join Prof. Catherine M. Roach, a Fulbright Fellow and a gender and cultural studies scholar at the University of Alabama, for a screening of Love Between the Covers: a documentary that offers fascinating insights into the history and popularity of this female-centric literary world. A funny and inspiring look into a billion dollar industry that turns up trailblazers who push the discussion on gender, race, sexuality and diversity at the front lines of the biggest power shift in publishing. Following the film screening, Prof. Roach will explore why this genre has such a grip on readers and what we can learn from the romance novel. From 1 – 4pm, tickets available $15/$10 via The State Library of NSW
Tuesday 9th Aug – Ink in Her Veins: The Troubled Life of Aileen Palmer with Sylvia Martin
Aileen Palmer – poet, translator, political activist, adventurer – inherited an interest in leftist politics from her equally established parents. This, combined with her bravery, led to participation in the Spanish Civil War and the ambulance service in London during World War II.
Sylvia’s latest book, published by UWAP,2016, Ink in Her Veins, paints an honest and moving portrait in which we see a talented woman slowly brought down by war, family expectations, and psychiatric illness and the sometimes cruel ‘treatments’ common in the twentieth century. From 12:30 – 1:30pm at the Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW. Free event, bookings essential
Tuesday 16 Aug – Poets at the Petersham Bowl
Kicking off at 6:30pm at a favourite Petersham staple, The Petersham Bowl on 77 Brighton St. Child friendly and with a range of options from their bistro, this is a pleasant option for a quiet Tuesday night. Free entry
Saturday 20 Aug – Honouring Henry Handel Richardson
This year the NSW Writers’ Centre honours Henry Handel Richardson (1870-1946), the pen name of Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson. The author of nine novels including The Getting of Wisdom and The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, she is considered to be one of our great foundation novelists. Speaking on the significance of Henry Handel Richardson’s writing are director Bruce Beresford, author Sophie Cunningham, historian Anna Clarke, and Professor Michael Ackland. From 2:30 – 4:30 pm at the Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW. Free event, bookings essential. RSVP at events@nswwc.org.au
Wednesday 24 Aug – Winton Higgins: Rule of Law
Join Winton Higgins, a Tom Keneally Writing Master Class alumni, as he talks about his novel, Rule of Law, in conversation with Tom Keneally. Free entry, bookings essential
Monday 27th June – Story Club: Showcase
Calling all friends, family, flat mates and people who want to do something on a Monday night! Story Club hosts an intimate evening of new tales from their hugely successful Story Club Workshops participants. After a frantic two days of soul searching and scribbling they will be taking the stage at the Giant Dwarf to share snippets of freshly penned stories. From 7pm at Giant Dwarf in Redfern. Tickets $15