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.

Hone your editing skills and learn new editing strategies in this hands-on workshop with Sydney novelist Peter Polites.

Discover your inner artist, or your inner child, and create beautiful illustrations to accompany your own writing, with illustrator Sami Bayly.

Lift your work from the mundane into an immersive, sensual, whole-body experience, bringing your memoir to life for your readers.

Felicity Plunkett’s expertise and gentle guidance makes her one of Varuna’s most sought after mentors. In this 30-minute session, you can ask questions and receive feedback on your work, finding sustenance and inspiration for your creative practice.

Dive deep into the world of crime fiction with bestselling author Jack Heath. Discover how to craft flawed detectives and sinister perpetrators, richly textured settings, twists that leave readers gasping, and stylish, economical prose. 

Garner tricks of the trade from award-winning artist Nick Solo while discovering how to develop your work across the boundaries of lyrics, raps, poetry and prose.

Learn to find story ideas hiding in plain sight, discover ways to supercharge your imagination (even if you think you don’t have one), and practice overcoming fear and self-consciousness when it comes to getting your words on the page.

Join James Jiang, Editor of the Sydney Review of Books, for this extended industry workshop on the art of pitching.

Learn to find story ideas hiding in plain sight, discover ways to supercharge your imagination (even if you think you don’t have one) and practice overcoming fear and self-consciousness when it comes to getting your words on the page.

Understand what it is that makes the best poems work, and use guided prompts and creative exploration to begin drafting your own new poems.

Revitalising Dharug language is fun! The workshop provides a place for all ages to listen and speak – and walk away with a deeper understanding of the need to revitalise Aboriginal languages. 

Explore what your voice is like in this hands-on workshop and discover how to use your inner world, thoughts and emotions to nurture your literary projects.

Revitalising Dharug language is fun! The workshop provides a place for all ages to listen and speak – and walk away with a deeper understanding of the need to revitalise Aboriginal languages. 

Join New York Times bestselling author Betsy Cornwell for a gentle, welcoming two-hour workshop focused on the healing power of reading, writing and storytelling.

Come and learn the rules of writing rom-com and how to leverage the genre's conventions and traditions to write a story that today's publishers are looking for.

Join Nevo Zisin for this empowering workshop that tackles the need for perfection and shows you how to embrace the beauty and importance of making mistakes.

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

At this special Festival event, Varuna offers you the opportunity to have a one-on-one 30-minute consultation with Ashley.

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!

Kris Kneen takes you through a different process of structuring your memoir, exploring the structure of weaving several stories organised by a unifying theme.

This interactive three-hour course facilitated by award-winning Belfast-based writer Jan Carson will guide you through the basics of writing imaginative and engaging short stories.

Join renowned author and writing coach Lee Kofman for a one-on-one 30-minute consultation.

Explore editorial techniques to fearlessly redraft your poetry and prose with Felicity Plunkett.

Hone critical skills and incorporate artworks into your writing, with the Archibald Prize exhibition as live inspiration in the next room.

Discover how Darug vocabulary connects to Country in this welcoming session that will open your mind to new sounds, words and ideas.

Join Hilton Koppe for this fun-filled workshop, and find joy and wellbeing with your creative practice.

Join Emily Maguire for this inspiring workshop. Leave with the knowledge that you are an inspired writer with a style all your own.