About the Festival - Scone Literary Festival

About Us

Coined the Little Big Festival, Scone Literary Festival is different.

We are known for our relaxed and intimate feel. We are more than a writer’s festival and we appeal to big names in the literary world but also warmly welcome those that are still finding their way. Our audience is as diverse as our word makers!

We exist to inspire a love of language, encourage robust debate and open respectful conversation on BIG and little topics that are relevant to our current world. Most importantly, we want our audience and visitors to have fun whilst with us.

The Scone Literary Festival unfolds as a bi-annual three day celebration with the Patrick White Oration held in alternate years, bringing nationally recognised voices and vibrant conversations to the Upper Hunter.

OUR HISTORY

Our History

In 2013, a group of like-minded individuals decided to invite some authors to discuss their books over a series of literary lunches.

Members from local writers’ groups in the Upper Hunter were invited to the discussions and the idea for a literary long weekend was put into action. It was incorporated in January 2015 and in 2022 gained DGR status.

Now it is a three-day festival held over the second weekend in March every second year. SLF gets bigger and better. Previous authors have included Michael Burge, Don Watson, Peter FitzSimons, Dominic Smith, Hugh Mackay, Erina Reddan, Richard Glover, Jonathan Biggins, Mandy Bishop, Graham Simsion, Ross Coulthart, David Marr, Barry Jones, Tracey Spicer, plus numerous Walkley award winning journalists, including Kate McClymont.

Indicative of its standing, SLF was ranked in 2018, for the first time, in Qantas prestigious list of 101 things to do; up with the giants of the festival world – Floriade in Canberra and MONA FOMA in Tasmania to name a few.

The Upper Hunter Shire Council has been a key supporter of SLF from inception and we appreciate the ongoing support. We are also supported by many sponsors and patrons. Find out how you can support the future of the Festival.

Support the Festival OUR PATRONS

“Having been involved with Writers’ Festivals and Festivals of Ideas over the decades across Australia I’ve marvelled at how Scone’s event, from small beginnings, has gained true significance. But our part of the world has always fought above its weight when it comes to writers – with links to Patrick White, Donald Horne, Judith Wright and Barbara Baynton. While honouring the greats our Festival has been turning its attention to younger writers – and readers – in what promises to be another imaginative and creative event. I’m greatly honoured to be its patron.”

> Phillip Adams, SLF Patron

Authors and Guests HISTORY of the Upper HUnter

Literary History of the Upper Hunter

Our literary links in the Upper Hunter are very strong including Patrick White, who spent time at ‘Belltrees’ east of Scone. Patrick would become Australia’s only Nobel Laureate (for Literature).

We also claim the brilliance of environmentalist, Aboriginal rights campaigner, poet and Nobel Prize nominee, Judith Wright. Other notable, if not famous authors and writers, who have strong links to the Upper Hunter Valley, include Barbara Baynton, Donald Horne and Mark Twain.

Barbara Baynton, born in Gundy, was an Australian author of the same period as Henry Lawson and was part the Bush Realism School of the 1890s fostered by the Sydney Bulletin. A pioneer in feminist literature, Baynton was successful businesswoman, a campaigner for women’s rights, and a renowned socialite.

It was a great honour to be a small part of the Scone Literature Festival 2018. Once again, thank you very much for providing facilities and very remarkable festival. In this year I had involved with many writers festivals but I can say the Scone Festival was one of the warmest and welcoming one.

> Shokoofeh Azar, 2018 SLF

Authors and Guests HISTORY of the Upper HUnter

Best known for “A Lucky Country,” Donald Horne was born in the Upper Hunter and became one of Australia’s best known public intellectuals. A journalist, writer, social critic, and academic, Horne published four novels and more than twenty volumes of history, memoir and political and cultural analysis. He also edited The Bulletin, The Observer and Quadrant.

American writer and humourist, Mark Twain visited Scone as part of his 1895 world tour giving a talk on ‘morals’ for the Scone School of Arts. Although Twain planned a much more extensive visit, Scone remains the farthest north he reached on his Australian journey. At the conclusion of his talk, which, according to a report in the Scone Advocate, was punctuated with “droll sayings and humour,” he recited his new Australian poem – “A SWELTERING DAY IN AUSTRALIA.”

Nor surprising then that SLF has a strong poetry theme with pop-up poets featured throughout the three-day Festival, and introduced in 2018, the Bush Poet’s Breakfast to kick-off the Sunday program. This is a significant community event not only unique with the entertainment provided over breakfast, but all funds raised are donated to the Westpac Helicopter Service.