New writers’ festival launches on the Central Coast

Do you want to escape to the Central Coast, NSW for a writers’ festival? Maybe you already call the Central Coast home and are looking for something to do in June.

The Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival is a brand new writers’ festival taking place over the June long weekend (12-13 June 2021) in Umina Beach.

According to the website: “Words on the Waves Writers Festival on the June Long Weekend will see a diverse range of writers come together to celebrate writing, literature, and Australia’s cultural and environmental future. With two days of storytelling, author talks and panels, the festival’s aim is to connect with each other, with inspiration, with environment and with country.”

Why is the Central Coast the optimal place for such a festival?

According to the website: “With a council population much larger than Byron Shire, but with a similarly spectacular landscape, the region is calling out for a writers’ festival. The festival venue is a stone’s throw from the beach, with a panoramic coastal view. As the first writers’ festival of its scale and calibre to take place in the Central Coast, but also within easy distance to Sydney and Newcastle, it aims to become an annual institution for both community members and visitors from across NSW and Australia.”

There is also a schools program on June 11 to tie in with the festival. According to the website: “In partnership with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the program’s theme is ‘Youth as Warriors of Change’. Speakers include Ursula Dubosarsky (Children’s Laureate 2020-2021), Dub Leffler, Susanne Gervay, Yvette Poshoglian, Kirli Saunders, Oliver Phommavanh, Deb Abela and more. It promises to be an educational and culturally enriching experience for the participating schools.”

Festival dates
Words on the Waves Writers Festival Launch Event
When: Saturday, March 27, 2021

Words on the Waves Writers Festival Schools Program
When: Friday, June 11

Words on the Waves Writers Festival
When: Saturday, June 12 to Sunday, June 13, 2021

If you want to find out more and sign up for updates, head over to the festival website.