EARLY bird tickets are now on sale for the Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival, scheduled for March 4 and 5 next year.
The festival features more than 15 events including author panels, and workshops.
Peter Coleman (Weekends with Matt) is running a wine appreciation masterclass and Eliza Henry Jones (Salt and Skin) is bringing fresh flowers from her flower farm for a writing masterclass with a difference.
Panel guests include local favourite Margaret Hickey (Stone Town), award–winning storyteller Andrea Rowe (Jetty Jumping), Jock Serong (The Settlement), Ryan Butta (The Ballad of Abdul Wade), and Mansfield's own Gabriel Bermoser, whose thriller The Hunted is currently being adapted for film.
Free events include a little lounge with storybook readings and poets corner featuring poetry readings by local poets.
Children are welcome, with storybook events and a writing workshop for 8 to 12 year olds.
Author and columnist Anson Cameron is our guest speaker for the awards night to talk about his recent book, a memoir of AFL player and coach Neil Balme.
Comedian and author Justine Sless (Mistress of Mirth's Comedy Tour) will run a comedy workshop 'Find your funny' and will MC the awards night.
The awards night will also see the launch of the festival's anthology of short stories and announce the national and local winner of the short story competition.
Shortlisted short stories from over 100 entries around Australia were announced last week, alongside approximately 40 long listed entries.
Shortlisted entries in alphabetical order of story title:
'Christmas Lights' by Jackie Woods
'Love Thy Neighbour' by Sinead Reilly
'Roar' by Justine Sless
'Starry, Starry Cow' by Deborah May
'Thylacine' by Cassie Hamer
Festival organisers said the quality of entries was very high and they were fascinated by the different responses to the theme of 'heart'.
