Join the Arts Law Centre of Australia for this workshop that will outline some practical tips for writers in avoiding scandals or other legal pitfalls.

Join the Arts Law Centre of Australia for an overview of Australian defamation law and recent cases, as well as tips on how to balance defamation risk and expression as a writer in Australia.

What is the value of arts criticism and what is its future in times of increased funding pressures? Don’t miss this free festival event with contributors to Critic Swallows Book, a collection from Sydney Review of Books that brings together 22 essays, demonstrating the eclecticism of Australian criticism.

Let the students and staff of Story Factory provide healing and literary nourishment to soothe whatever ails you.

Lovers of spooky tales and clever mysteries are invited to join author Antony Mann and Creative Director of Word Travels Miles Merrill to discover their inner ghostbuster. Go on a ghost hunt through Katoomba Library to see what – or whooooo – you can find, then write your own ghost story set in the Blue Mountains.

Join Sweatshop Literacy Movement for readings from POVO, an original and eclectic new anthology that reveals the true wealth of the cultural melting pot that is Australia.

Join three-time Paralympian swimmer and medal-winner Sarah Rose, author of the newly released ABC Disability, a big-hearted A-Z guide to disability that’s written especially for kids. Learn the Auslan alphabet and leave feeling more equipped to understand and champion difference.

Join Sami Bayly for a jam-packed session about nature, science and animals, complete with drawing demonstrations and creative activities. You’ll hear incredible animal adaptation stories, learn a bunch of fun collective nouns and maybe even discover a gross fact or two!

Parents for Climate Action Blue Mountains and Sharon Baldwin from Loose Parts Press invite you to save money and reduce your consumption by joining in our Festival book swap. Bring three books that your kids no longer read and go home with new (to you!) pre-loved books from other local families.

Join Charmaine Ledden-Lewis and Aunty Munya Andrews with Cheryl Leavy to celebrate a deeper connection with land, waters and skies. Contribute to a collaborative mural celebrating First Nations seasons and enjoy readings with these three exceptional authors and illustrators.

Everyone is invited to join us on the Carrington Lawn for the Festival Welcome to Dharug and Gundungurra land. 

A Line in the Sand brings together over 80 pieces from our leading poets and public figures in a retrospective that covers twenty years of contemporary Australian poetry.

Join Peter Ridgeway and Bianca Nogrady as they discuss the intricate connections between land, community and culture.

This free session will provide an overview of Australian defamation law and recent case history, discussing how writers can best deal with defamation risk.

During this session Katherine Giles, from the Arts Law Centre of Australia, will take you through the ten things she loves about publishing agreements – and what to try to change if you’re unsure about the one that arrives in your inbox!

Join Maryam to hear about her career as a writer and No Words, her compassionate and hopeful book based on her own experiences of fleeing persecution. Suitable for ages 7 upwards.

Join outstanding young scriptwriters and actors Laneikka Denne (Feminazi; Belvoir), Sarah Carroll (Cherry; KXT) and screenwriter Kim Pham as they bring sass and sparkle to a wickedly funny afternoon cabaret in the Baroque Room, hosted by poet Ellen O’Brien.

Meet Will Kostakis, one of Australia’s leading YA writers, and get to know his new book, We Could Be Something.

In need of a fierce hope injection? Smash the doom and gloom and join us for this free session with climate activist and author Claire O’Rourke as she talks with Chris Darwin about actions you can take now and answer your questions about how to make a difference.

Join storyteller Sue Whiting as your children spin the Wheel of Adventure, draw a story map and discover the secrets of becoming a top-secret stealth adventurer.

Come along and hitch a ride on the Katoomba-Leura RFS Fire Truck and have a story book reading at the same time. Perfect for ages 3 and upwards.

Go on a hunt, find the clues and see if you can catch the Gruffalo for a storytime adventure.

How do you write narratives that aren’t centred around the powerful, but instead explore the lives of those who have been marginalised and forgotten?

Join artist Leigh Hobbs, former Australian CHildren’s Laureate and well-known children’s author and illustrator in conversation with Sheryl Cootes.

Join us at The Avalon to hear prominent and emerging local poets, as featured in the collection In Case of Fire, Poems from the Blue Mountains.

Hear exceptional writers perform readings of their latest works in the eclectic theatre setting of The Baroque.

Join Charmaine Ledden-Lewis and Dub Leffler as they get you inspired to create your own stories with pictures.

Prepare to laugh out loud with Leigh Hobbs and his hilarious characters who are always up to something mischievous.

Listen to Corey Tutt and Cassie McCullagh discuss how First Nations people passed on wisdom from the land, sea and sky through ancient stories that are important lessons in science to this day. A great session for families!

Literary biographer Bernadette Brennan describes sensuality and sexuality as the driving forces behind the life and writing of Gillian Mears.