For the Love of words
We're Back for 2023!
Join us in the beautiful towns of the Upper Hunter to hear, to think, to be challenged, to share, and to be entertained.
Reservoirs – Literary G&T @ Magpie Distilling
Literary Lunch with Ryan Butta @ the Merriwa CWA
Bush Poets’ Breakfast in partnership with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Saturday Evening Soiree with short films shown from Hattie Archibald and Hugo Morgan’s Film Making workshop
Events to Entertain
We’ve planned plenty of events aimed at having a laugh, catching up with fellow literary lovers, rubbing shoulders with authors, and maybe even enjoying a beverage or two.
Nurturing Creativity
The 2023 Scone Literary Festival is all about uncovering emerging and homegrown talent and nurturing creativity in all its forms.
If writing is your passion, or your side hustle - these events are for you!
We’re not just about the written word either, we’re celebrating all creative literary endeavours.
If you love a good creative outlet, or you’re after some ‘mentoring’ check out our workshops, panels and conversations to get you energised and on your way!
Film Making Workshop with Hattie Archibald & Hugo Morgan
Pathways to Publication Jo Riccioni, Stacey McEwan & Rae Cairns
Women Writers Writing Rural with Lauren Forner, Kat Vella, & Catherine Armitage
Conversations with Creatives with Deb Oswald & Richard Glover; Jonathan Biggins & Mandy Bishop
Talk Story Podcast Story Telling with Tim Elliot, Oli Li Leivre & Camille Bianchi & Anthea Fawcett
Scandals of the Art World'- an Insider's View with Michael Reid & Alexandra Joel
LinkedIn Masterclass with Lucy Bingle
Beauty and Excellence in the Workplace Today with Erina Reddan, Jacinta Parsons, Joanne Fedler, and Lucy Turnbull AO
Girls Boys and Everything in Between with Chanel Contos, Daisy Turnbull, & Tom Harkin
People, the Constitution, The Voice with Malcolm Turnbull AC, Tony McAvoy SC, Nardi Simpson
Tackling the Tough Topics
We plan to inspire thought, open robust, respectful conversation on several BIG topics that are addressing today's society. Those who ponder, debate and are willing to change their opinions through growth have the potential to shape the course of our future. Be one of them!
Community Events
Strong communities are built on connection and shared experiences…so of course our Festival is filled with Community events for all ages. The biggest decision you need to make is which ones can you make it to.
We're even planning art activities, story circles with authors, creation of the alphabet of Scone, music yarns, book club chat, book exchange.
Our Sunday Community afternoon certainly won't disappoint, with a way to get involved for everyone, and entertainment from local Australian Idol singer and songwriter Hamish Guiana! Check out our events page for more details.
Primary Writers Workshops
Community Storytelling in Scone
Me, My Community, and a Stroke of Luck with Janno McGloughlin, Maria Myrtko, Erina Reddan, and Nardi Simpson
These are just a few of our fantastic Festival guest speakers, authors, publishers and performers for 2023. To see more, head to our guests page
Friday March 10, 2023, Festival Program
Event | Guests | Location | Time and Date | Event Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bush Poets' Morning and Afternoon Teas | Roving poets including Tug Dumbly | Strathearn Retirement Village, Scone Murravale, Murrurundi | Friday March 10 10am - 11:30am | Free community events |
Early Readers' Program | Paula Stevenson Katrina McKelvey | Scone Preschool and Early Learning Centres Murrurundi School Merriwa Central School | Friday March 10 9:30am - 3pm | Free Community Events |
Primary Writers' Workskhops | Antonia Presenti Hillary Bell | Scone Grammar School | Friday March 10 9:30am - 3pm | Free Workshop Contact us to join  |
Film Making Workshop | Hattie Archibald Hugo Morgan Richie Lawton | Hunter Warbirds | Friday March 10 10am - 3pm | Free Workshop Ages 15 - 25 |
LinkedIn Masterclass | Lucy Bingle | Phylli Designs, Scone | Friday March 10 10:30am - 12:00 noon | Free Workshop |
Reservoirs - Literary G&T | Michael Burge | Magpie Distilling Murrurundi | Friday March 10 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Single Ticket Event seperate to a Full Festival Pass  |
CWA Literary Lunch | Ryan Butta | CWA, Bettington St, Merriwa | Friday March 10 12pm - 2pm | Single Ticket Event seperate to a Full Festival Pass |
For the Love of Words Cocktail Party | VIP Event by invitation only | Scone Race Club | Friday March 10 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Invitation only |
Saturday March 11, Festival Program
Saturday's panels, talks and workshops are covered by a weekend pass, or Saturday pass.
Event | Guests | Location | Time and Date | Event Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Author Meet and Greet | Authors and Speakers | Scone Arts and Crafts | 8:30am - 9:30am | Casual Mingling |
Official Opening, Welcome to Country & Keynote address | Richie Lawton Dominic Smith | Scone Grammar School | 9:30am - 10:20am | Opening Address |
Pathways to Publication | Suzanne Leal, Jo Riccioni, Stacey McEwan Rae Cairns | Scone Grammar School | 10:30am - 11:15am | Panel Session |
Women Writers Writing Rural | Anthea Fawcett Lauren Forner Kat Vella Catherine Armitage | Scone Arts and Crafts | 10:30am - 11:15am | Panel Session |
Girls, Boys and Everything in Between! | Suzanne Leal Chanel Contos Daisy Turnbull Tom Harkin | Scone Grammar School | 11:15am - 12pm | Panel Session |
People, The Constitution, The Voice | Dominic Toomey SC Malcolm Turnbull AC Tony McEvoy SC Nardi Simpson | Scone Grammar School | 12pm - 12:45pm | Panel Session |
Lunch | Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase from Delilah & Co George & Bean | Scone Arts and Crafts | 12:45pm - 1:45pm | Casual lunch with a pop up bookstore available |
(Looking forward to) My Brilliant Career | Catherine du Peloux Menagé Lucy Bloom McKenzie Watson, Paula Beavan | Scone Arts and Crafts | 1:45pm - 2:30pm | Panel Discussion and sharing of insights |
Talk Story - Podcast Storytelling. | Tim Elliot Oli Le Leivre Anthea Fawcett Camille Bianchi | Scone Grammar School | 1:45pm - 2:30pm | Panel Discussion and inspiration |
Beauty and Excellence in the Workplace Today | Erina Reddan Jacinta Parsons Joanne Fedler Lucy Turnbull AO | Scone Grammar School | 2:30pm - 3:15pm | Panel Session |
Conversations with Creatives | Debra Oswald Richard Glover | Scone Grammar School | 3:15pm - 4pm | Conversation/Interview |
What Book you'd change the ending to and why? | Richard Glover Michael Burge Dominic Smith James McKenzie Watson | Scone Grammar School | 4pm - 5pm | Panel Session |
Pop Up Bookstore | Books from our Festival Booklist will be available for purchase | Scone Arts and Crafts | 5pm | Author Signings |
Saturday Evening Soiree | Films from the Youth Film Making workshop with Hattie Archibald and Hugo Mogran will be presented for viewing | Scone Arts and Crafts | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Mingling, casual dinner and drinks |
Sunday March 12, Festival Program
Sunday's panels, talks and workshops are covered by a weekend pass, or a Sunday pass.
There are some free Community Events in the afternoon.
Event | Guests | Location | Time and Date | Event Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Bush Poets' Breakfast | Shelley Piper Emily Grainger Robyn Christmas David Gatwood Tim McGloughlin Sally Mitchell Greg Scott | Scone Arts and Crafts | 7:30am - 9:30am | Fundraising Event Seperate Ticket Required |
Crime Fiction goes to where the fear is | Catherine du Peloux Menagé Michael Burge Richard Anderson Sarah Barrie | Scone Grammar School | 9:45am - 10:30am | Panel Session |
Scandals of the Art World | Janie Jordan Michael Reid Alexandra Joel | Scone Grammar School | 10:30am - 11:15am | Panel Session |
Me, My Community, and a Stroke of Luck | Kate Mailer Janno McGloughin Maria Myrtko Erina Reddan Nardi Simpson | Scone Grammar School | 11:15am - 12pm | Panel Session |
Lunch | Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase from Delilah & Co George & Bean | Scone Arts and Crafts | 12:30pm - 2pm | Casual time |
Community Storytelling | TBC | Scone Arts and Crafts | From 1pm | Free Interactive Community Activities |
Conversations with Creatives | Jonathan Biggins Mandy Bishop | Scone Arts and Crafts | 2pm - 2:45pm | Interview and sharing of insights |
Festival Close | Jean Paul Bell | Scone Arts and Crafts | 4pm | Farewell, we'll see you next time! |