Ryan Butta reveals a gritty alternative history in The Ballad of Abdul Wade, exposing the untold debt that Australia owes

Chris Hammer is a leading Australian crime fiction author responsible for a swag of best selling and prize winning novels.

Hilary Bell writes for stage, radio, screen and music theatre. Hilary Bell writes for stage, radio, screen and music theatre. We're proud to have her involved in our Primary Creative Writing Workshop and our Community Storytelling

Tim Elliot is an award-winning journalist and author whose work has appeared in London’s The Financial Times, The Sunday Times, and The Australian.

Kell has studied English literature, creative writing, and history, and writes about made-up (and not so made-up) places, people and things you might remember from the fairy tales you read as a child. Her books, however, are most definitely not for children.

Vanessa (Ness Studios) is a photographer and filmmaker who utilises the power of storytelling to raise our collective consciousness.

Tim Ayliffe is an award-winning author whose thriller novels have been informed by his 25-year global career as a journalist

Shelley Piper won first prize for the Farmer's Short Story Competition in 2022 with her story inspired by the 2017 Sir Ivan bushfire

Lucy Hughes Turnbull AO is an urbanist, businesswoman and philanthropist

Nardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay writer, composer, playwright, and educator, as well as a musician and performer in the Stiff Gins. Song of the Crocodile (Hachette Australia) was the 2018 winner of a black&write!

Lauren Forner is the fiction, poetry and experimental forms editor at Mona Magazine, a magazine founded in 2020 that explores the female experience in rural Australia

Catherine Armitage is an award-winning Sydney-based journalist, editor, writer and former foreign correspondent

Tomorrow Man, started in 2014, has now impacted more than 100,000 boys and men around Australia. Featured on ABC’s acclaimed documentary Man Up, Tom’s impact has extended to celebrities, professional athletes in elite sport, and teenagers.

Geraldine has carved out an enviable reputation across print, television and radio, starting on “The West Australian” in Perth, before moving to The Australian, ABC’s Nationwide, 2UE, Channel 10 news, hosting ABC TV’s Compass program and continuing in various roles on ABC RN and via podcasting.

Janie is an accomplished writer, deep strategic thinker, sought-after public speaker and consultant in high-stakes communication. 

Jen has worked in politics, communication, retail, adult education and in business, but it’s with storytelling and in community development that she feels most at home.

Homegrown Hunter talent, Mandy Bishop, will be joining the 2023 Scone Literary Festival in Conversations with Creatives

Hugo Morgan is an emerging Scone film maker currently studying a Bachelors of Film and Television Production

Rob is based in Tamworth but travels constantly for work and pleasure, between teaching and adjudication work.

Kat Vella is the non fiction editor of Mona Magazine, a magazine founded in 2020 that explores the female experience in rural Australia.

James McKenzie Watson writes fiction with a focus on health and rural Australia. His novel Denizen won the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize

Tug Dumbly, Nowra-born poet and performer has worked extensively in radio, live venues and schools, and founded the legendary Bardflys Poetry night in Glebe.

Jean-Paul Bell has had a diverse career in both the performing arts and speaking circuit for both corporate and the community.

Paula Stevenson will be delivering the Early Readers' Program to young children in the Upper Hunter as part of the Scone Literary Festival 2023

Stacey McEwan is a school teacher by day and fantasy writer by night.

Erina Reddan has worked with words, ideas and stories all her life. She started out as a journalist, working in radio and television and was awarded the prestigious Walkley Award

Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, writer and public speaker who currently hosts the Afternoon program on ABC Local Radio Melbourne.

Simon Cleary is a writer and barrister, and the author of three novels, including The Comfort of Figs

 Alexandra Joel is a former editor of the Australian edition of Harper’s Bazaar and of Portfolio, Australia’s first magazine for working women.

I was stimulated to compose the history of veterinary practice in Scone when I realised the original protagonists (Murray Bain -deceased) & Frank Williams were ‘nearing the end’

Michael Burge is an Australian journalist, author and artist who lives at Deepwater on Ngarabal Country in the New England region of NSW. His debut novel Tank Water is a coming-of-age crime thriller set in the bush.

On the last day of graduate school, with no papers to grade or thesis left to write, and nothing interesting around to read, I started writing a novel

Sarah divides her time between life on the land, family life and time spent in her studio. A magical mix that enables and emboldens her creativity.

Dr. Marcelle Moore's first book, Even Lions Get SCARED, aims to provide families with a coherent roadmap to navigate ordinary wobbly moments in life.

SUZANNE LEAL is the author of novels The Watchful Wife, The Teacher’s Secret and The Deceptions, winner of the Nib People’s Choice Prize.

Katrina McKelvey is a children’s author, picture book manuscript assessor, former primary school teacher, and wife and mother living in Newcastle

Richard Glover presents Thank God It’s Friday on ABC Radio. His books include The Land Before Avocado, a book about Australia in the 1960s and 1970s, and the memoir Flesh Wounds.

When we say the Scone literary festival is for all ages…. We’re not exaggerating!  Emily Granger, just fresh out of primary school is a bright addition to our festival program!

Jeremy Lachlan, former bookseller turned author, completed his honours degree in creative writing at the University of Canberra, and now calls Sydney home.

Lucy Bloom is an international keynote speaker and consulting CEO with a background in advertising and international aid.

Richard is the author of two rural-crime novels, Retribution and Boxed. His latest book is Small Mercies, and all three are published by Scribe.

Michael has been working for over 30 years in the art world and will be will be a part of 'Scandals of the Art World - An Insiders View' at our 2023 Scone Literary Festival

Hattie is an emerging director, producer and writer originally from Scone, NSW who graduated from AFTRS in 2019 with a Master of Arts: Screen in Directing.

Catherine is Artistic Director of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, as well as facilitating at writers’ festivals and literary events

Jonathan Biggins is an award-winning writer, director and performer, perhaps best known as one of the creators and performers for Sydney Theatre Company’s long-running and much loved annual political satire, The Wharf Revue,

Dr Anika Molesworth is a thought-leader of food systems resilience, a researcher in international agricultural development, an awarding winning author, and a sought-after keynote speaker.

Donna M Cameron is a playwright and AWGIE nominated radio dramatist who now writes novels. Author of Beneath the Mother Tree and The Rewilding.

Antonia is a French/Australian architect and illustrator based in Sydney. She combines directing the multidisciplinary design practice

Founder of the ‘Teach us Consent’ movement, and winner of the Human Rights Awards Young People’s Medal, Chanel Contos is an activist achieving BIG changes. 

Artist, Catherine Hickson, grew up on a farm in Jerry’s Plains during an era of change. Her work examines the impact of industry and change on community and country.

One of Australia’s most influential women, Wendy has made her mark in many extraordinary ways over an extraordinary career spanning more than 50 years.

Nicole's journey is a testament to the healing and empowering effects of yoga as she dedicates herself to helping others find their own paths to wellness and peace.

Paula J Beavan grew up in the Hunter Valley, where her love of reading and a good yarn inspired a desire to write.

Hailing from Scone, Hamish Guiana is a young musician who is looking to break out in the regional music scene.

Debra Oswald is a two-time winner of the NSW Premier’s Literary Award and creator/head writer of the TV series Offspring.

Jo’s short stories have appeared in Best Australian Stories, The Age, and won competitions worldwide, as well as being optioned for short film

’We recognise that the transition of the Liddell site is a significant moment in the lives of many in the region, and we value the opportunity to use art and creative practice to facilitate both reflection on what has past, but also, on what the future of Liddell might also hold.'

General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, AC (Mil) CVO, MC (Retd) is one of Australia’s most significant public figures

Anthea describes herself as a bowerbird sustainability, corporate affairs and community development professional

Georgie Collinson is Australia’s leading anxiety therapist. Author of two books, mindset coach, clinical hypnotherapist, naturopath and nutritionist she has helped thousands of women.

Unable to get back to sleep one night, Gail started writing short stories about living in Shanghai. As this writing habit continued to grow, she attended short courses at the City College of Literature in London and then later studied the Melbourne University’s Master of Creative Writing, Editing and Publishing programme

Heather Ewart, one of Australia’s most respected journalists, will retire in 2025 after nearly 50 years at the ABC. Meet her at the 2025 Scone Literary Festival

Tully is a passionate political activist and upcoming film maker. Tully is a politics and International Relations graduate and is currently doing a deep dive on Australian coal.

Dying to Know, Rae’s second novel, is a standalone Sydney based thriller and centres around a woman’s determination to uncover what happened to her missing sister. 

Patrice is a well known local resident, author and land manager. Home is the picturesque ‘’Elmswood Farm” at Gundy, which Newell runs as a biodynamic farming enterprise.   

Louisa’s quest is to empower people to market their businesses. 

Janno’s artworks are quirky and eclectic, intended to sew hope, bravery, resilience, and whimsy

Australia’s 29th Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull AC will be a panelist in 'People, The Constitution and The Voice.'

'Return To The Hunter', Scott's latest book has him paddling through the Upper Hunter and thinking about those who live and work here, and the area's rich history.

Lucy Bingle is a LinkedIn Strategist. Her business www.lucybingle.com, is Australia’s leading LinkedIn agency and provides expert LinkedIn services.

Oli Le Lievre is the Founder of Humans of Agriculture, a storytelling platform that looks to connect, engage and inspire those within and towards agriculture.

Kate was born and raised on a property east of Scone. After completing her studies, she commenced practising as a solicitor in Scone and has done so now for over 20 years

Joanne Fedler is the internationally bestselling author of 15 books. She is a writing mentor and runs retreats for aspiring women

After Lidell will be facilitated by John O’Brien, filmmaker, musician, writer, and rainforest restorer.  John is Executive Director of Arts Upper Hunter and project manager of the Liddell WORKS creative program.

Camille Bianchi is an independent journalist and producer based in Sydney.

Lev Grossman is an American writer living in Sydney, writing primarily literary fantasy

Julie is a Burruberongal woman of Darug nation, living on Yuin Country. Her Janson convict ancestors lived in Aberdeen NSW from 1842

A calm, creative powerhouse tempered with country practicality and a well-developed sense of fun: Merri-May Gill captures fascinating stories about rural women in Australia.

In January 2021 Daisy’s first book ‘50 Risks to take with your kids’ was released, providing a guide on developing independence and resilience in young children.

Rob has managed community relations, stakeholder engagement and communications activities for existing operations, new development projects, and site transition with the closure of Liddell Power Station in 2023.