The Newcastle Writers Festival has locked in September 24-26 for its 2021 program.
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NWF director Rosemarie Milsom said the 2021 event will run alongside the first weekend the city of Newcastle's New Annual arts festival.
The writers festival dates are a departure from its traditional April timeframe. While the event was scheduled to move to May 2021, given the COVID-19 pandemic Milsom said the later time would reduce uncertainty about live events.
"I feel our audience will be really happy to return to a live setting," she said. "There will be some changes, but I'm excited about the possibility of being back in the room with writers and an audience."
While no writers or presenters have been announced for the festival, Milsom said 2021 will be a "bumper year" in Australian publishing, with works expected from several major writers and some books scheduled for release that were pulled back from the market in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The September festival is likely to feature 50 to 60 events, Milsom said.
Milsom also said the festival had secured $70,000 from Create NSW which will help fund its expanded, COVID- adapted program in 2021 that includes a weekly podcast series that runs for 12 weeks from March to May, a two-day emerging writers program in June and three guest curators who will be active in the programming.
The weekly podcasts will be "in conversation" type of events, with Milsom and others interviewing leading writers one-on-one for about 30 minutes per session.
The guest curators will be appointed early in 2021, each with a different emphasis across poetry, emerging writers and Aboriginal culture.
The festival will also launch The Newcastle Emerging Writer Prize, sponsored by local wine label Elephant in the Room. The winner will be announced at the September festival and will receive $5000 for professional development.
Program submissions for 2021 will be accepted via the festival's website from January 11 to February 22.
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Jim Kellar
Jim Kellar writes about culture, art, food, drinks and music. He's been a journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1997. jkellar@newcastleherald.com.au
Jim Kellar writes about culture, art, food, drinks and music. He's been a journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1997. jkellar@newcastleherald.com.au
