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MEET OUR AUTHORS Ainslie Harvey VIEW PROFILE Alexandra Smith VIEW PROFILE Ali Lowe VIEW PROFILE Amy Coomer VIEW PROFILE Amy Hutton VIEW PROFILE Amy Remeikis VIEW PROFILE Anna Dombkins VIEW PROFILE Anne Buist AO VIEW PROFILE Anthony Segaert VIEW PROFILE Antoun Issa VIEW PROFILE Ashley Kalagian Blunt VIEW PROFILE Ben Aitchison VIEW PROFILE Bob Bowker VIEW PROFILE Bob Carr VIEW PROFILE Bonita Mersiades VIEW PROFILE Candida Baker VIEW PROFILE Cocoa the Conscious VIEW PROFILE Con Campbell VIEW PROFILE Cory Alpert VIEW PROFILE Courtney Peppernell VIEW PROFILE Daniel Nour VIEW PROFILE Dave Warner VIEW PROFILE Deborah Conway AM VIEW PROFILE Debra Adelaide VIEW PROFILE Diana Thorp VIEW PROFILE Ee Ling Quah VIEW PROFILE Elana Benjamin VIEW PROFILE Eleanor Kirk VIEW PROFILE Graeme Simsion VIEW PROFILE Heather Morris VIEW PROFILE Helen Hayes VIEW PROFILE Holly Cardamone VIEW PROFILE Hugh Mackay AO VIEW PROFILE Ian Kemish AM VIEW PROFILE Jack Beaumont VIEW PROFILE Jack Heath VIEW PROFILE Jack Toohey VIEW PROFILE James Dunbar VIEW PROFILE Joanna Nell VIEW PROFILE Joanne Fedler VIEW PROFILE John Ayliffe VIEW PROFILE John Coomer VIEW PROFILE John Morrissey VIEW PROFILE Joshua Gilbert VIEW PROFILE Karen Farrell VIEW PROFILE Kate Horan VIEW PROFILE Kathleen Walker VIEW PROFILE Kumi Taguchi VIEW PROFILE Kylie Moore-Gilbert VIEW PROFILE Lachlan Strahan VIEW PROFILE LOAD MORE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

VIEW OUR VENUES VENUES MAP PDF Festival Cafe: Belgrave Cartel 6 Belgrave Street, Manly Street level access Henry G's Wine Parlour 11 The Corso, Manly Street level access Hotel Steyne 75 The Corso, Manly Street level access, Lift Manly Art Gallery West Esplanade, Manly Street level access Manly Surf Life Saving Club South Steyne, Manly Stairs, no lift Manly Wharf Events L1, Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly Stairs, Lift Manly Youth Centre (Festival Hub & Main Bookstore) Kangaroo Street, Manly Street level access, Lift Sky Theatre 54 Raglan Street, Manly (St Andrew's Church Hall) Street-level access via Augusta Lane The Manly Club on Gilbert 3 West Promenade, Manly Street level access Mackellar Girls' High School 11 Campbell Parade, Manly Vale School students only ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

MEET OUR HOSTS Alice Fraser VIEW PROFILE Amy Hutton VIEW PROFILE Angela Priestley VIEW PROFILE Candida Baker VIEW PROFILE Caroline Baum VIEW PROFILE Con Campbell VIEW PROFILE Geraldine Doogue VIEW PROFILE Helen Vatsikopoulos VIEW PROFILE Ian Cockerill VIEW PROFILE Jack Toohey VIEW PROFILE Jill Valentine VIEW PROFILE Lee Kofman VIEW PROFILE Liz Deep-Jones VIEW PROFILE Mark Corcoran VIEW PROFILE Martin Thomas VIEW PROFILE Michael Brissenden VIEW PROFILE Michele Seminara VIEW PROFILE Nick Bogiatzis VIEW PROFILE Nick Place VIEW PROFILE Sarah Dingle VIEW PROFILE Savva Savas VIEW PROFILE Suellen Dainty VIEW PROFILE Summer Land VIEW PROFILE Tim Ayliffe VIEW PROFILE Vasiliki Nihas OAM VIEW PROFILE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

Read the privacy policy and terms of service for the Manly Writer's Festival. Learn about how we protect your information and the guidelines for using our website and services. PRIVACY POLICY The Manly Writers Festival is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information. We have adopted the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information. A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner at www.privacy.gov.au . What is Personal Information and why do we collect it? Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers and the tickets and/or products you purchase or competitions you may enter. This Personal Information is obtained when you purchase a product or ticket and/or by signing-up to email communications. We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of fulfilling your purchase(s) and/or providing information to you about our publications and events. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing or using the link provided. When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it. We do not guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties. Sensitive Information Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information. Sensitive information will be used by us only where required or authorised by law. Third Parties Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party. Disclosure of Personal Information Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following: Third parties, but only where you consent to the use or disclosure; and Where required or authorised by law. Security of Personal Information Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of five years. Access to your Personal Information You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing. We will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information. In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information. Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up-to-date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you. Policy Updates This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website. Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at: Manly Writers Festival PO Box 4101 Balgowlah Heights NSW 2093 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

Help support the Manly Writer's Festival by donating today. Your contribution helps us continue to celebrate storytelling, creativity, and community in Manly, Sydney. DONATIONS Join our Donors Circle How and why your support can help We value your support to secure the future of the Manly Writers' Festival and to help prioritise literacy and creativity for the next generation. Your donation can help us keep ticket prices low, bring a regional Australian or international artist to the Festival, and much more, including keeping the Manly Writers' Festival alive. All donations of $2 and above are tax-deductible. Join our Donors Circle with one of the following tiers, or choose your own amount. Book Lovers ($50+) — Name listed in the program Festival Friends ($200+) — As above, plus a surprise book from our collection to say thank you Story Champions ($500+) — All the above, plus an invitation to a special thank-you gathering Literary Ambassadors ($1,000+) — Become one of our ambassadors and, in addition to the above, your generosity will receive year-round recognition, including when you join us at special events and selected sessions. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

Join the Manly Writer's Festival as a sponsor or partner. Support an event that celebrates storytelling and community in Manly, Sydney, and gain exposure for your brand. PARTNERS & SPONSORS The Manly Writers' Festival is possible only because of a visionary, diverse group of partners and friends. We’re here thanks to them. Let us introduce you to our partners for 2026. NORTHERN BEACHES COUNCIL Stretching from Palm Beach to Manly, the Northern Beaches boasts more than half of all the beaches in Sydney and a population of more than 266,000. Button FAIR PLAY PUBLISHING An independent publisher based in the Northern Beaches with three imprints specialising in non-fiction sport (Fair Play), fiction (Popcorn Press), and life (Pepper Press). TAG FAMILY FOUNDATION The TAG Family Foundation supports projects that help young people through education and sport, especially focusing on young people with autism. Button MULTICULTURAL NSW Multicultural NSW promotes community harmony and social cohesion in one of the most culturally diverse states in the world. Button GLEEBOOKS Gleebooks is Sydney’s leading independent bookseller, in business for over 40 years, and online since 1996. Button MANLY OBSERVER Manly Observer is an independent, hyperlocal news service covering the Northern Beaches in Sydney with a hyperfocus from Manly to Dee Why. Button ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

Program Power, Paranoia and Pleasure BUY TICKETS DATE: Saturday 21 March, 2026 TIME: 4.00-4.45pm COST: $25.00 Henry G's PATHWAY: Power, Truth and Accountability HOST : Jack Toohey < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Nick Place What can a dictator’s wine cellar tell us about power, fear and control? In this session, Nick Place explores the hidden cultural history behind Joseph Stalin’s obsession with wine — revealing how luxury, paranoia and politics intertwined at the heart of the Soviet regime. A sharply told historical story that uses food, drink and excess to illuminate the mechanics of authoritarian power.

Program Workshop: Edit Like an Expert BUY TICKETS DATE: Friday 20 March, 2026 TIME: 11.00am-12.00pm COST: $30.00 Manly Youth Centre (The Writers' Room) PATHWAY: So, You Want to be a Writer? HOST : - < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Zena Shapter Good editing is not about fixing commas. It is about clarity, structure, voice and knowing what matters. In this practical workshop, editor Zena Shapter introduces participants to the way professional editors approach a manuscript, from big-picture assessment to line-level decision-making. Through examples and guided discussion, participants will learn to review their own work more effectively and recognise when a piece needs further work. This session is designed to help writers become stronger self-editors, regardless of genre.

Program Workshop: Building a Professional Name. Reputation and Resilience at Work BUY TICKETS DATE: Friday 20 March, 2026 TIME: 4.00-5.00pm COST: $30.00 Manly Youth Centre (The Writers' Room) PATHWAY: So, You Want to be a Writer? HOST : - < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Tony Frost What does it mean to conduct yourself as a professional in a rapidly changing world of work? Drawing on his book The Professional, Tony Frost explores how reputations are built and sustained, why curiosity and lifelong learning matter more than ever, and how individuals can remain purposeful and resilient over long careers. This practical session focuses on values, behaviour, and decision-making rather than technical skills, offering participants a framework for navigating work with confidence, integrity and adaptability.

Program History’s Long Shadow: Writing the Past BUY TICKETS DATE: Sunday 22 March, 2026 TIME: 2.30-3.30pm COST: $25.00 Manly Youth Centre PATHWAY: Stories and Storytellers HOST : Martin Thomas < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Candida Baker Susan Francis From overlooked lives to quiet acts of endurance, Baker and Francis explore how fiction engages with history, memory and recovery. This session examines the moral responsibility of writing about the past, the role of imagination in historical storytelling, and why unresolved histories continue to shape the present.

Program Ask Us Anything: From Manuscript to Bookstore—What Really Gets You Published BUY TICKETS DATE: Saturday 21 March, 2026 TIME: 10.00-11.00am COST: $25.00 The Manly Club PATHWAY: So, You Want to be a Writer? HOST : Tim Ayliffe < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Ben Aitchison Bonita Mersiades John Coomer What happens between finishing a manuscript and seeing a book in the world? This session brings together key players across the publishing process to demystify how books are selected, shaped, produced and released. The discussion will unpack common misconceptions about agents, editors, design and publishing, and offer a realistic picture of how decisions are made. This is a rare opportunity to ask the experts anything you want to know about what it takes to be published. Note: Pitching manuscripts from the floor is not part of this session.

Program Workshop: Beyond the Postcard: Writing Place with Authority BUY TICKETS DATE: Friday 20 March, 2026 TIME: 2.30-3.30pm COST: $30.00 Manly Youth Centre (The Writers' Room) PATHWAY: So, You Want to be a Writer? HOST : - < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Helen Hayes Travel writing is about far more than describing where you’ve been. In this workshop, Helen Hayes explores how writers can capture a sense of place with depth, accuracy and ethical awareness. Participants will consider how to move beyond surface description to write about places that feel lived-in and credible.