Peter FitzSimons Author Talk with Peter FitzSimons BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Author Talk with Peter FitzSimons DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 Journalist, sports commentator, Wallabies lock, and acclaimed author of more than 40 works of non-fiction, Peter FitzSimon’s latest book The Legend of Albert Jacka: From the brutal shores of Gallipoli to the battlefields of France, charts the epic story of the first Australian soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Gallipoli in 1915. A national hero, Jacka moved on to France, where he earned the Military Cross at Pozieres and battled at Bullecourt, eventually coming home after a sniper’s bullet and gassing at Villers-Bretonneux. Host: Anne Maria Nicholson BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Josh Piterman 'There Are Mountains In Our Way, But We Climb A Step Every Day' (Joe Cocker) BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS 'There Are Mountains In Our Way, But We Climb A Step Every Day' (Joe Cocker) DATE: Sunday 30th March LOCATION: Manly Golf Club COST: $22 Josh Piterman is the only Australian to play the Phantom and Jean Valjean in London’s West End. His new book, Behind the Mask, reveals that, despite his on-stage presence and assurance, the journey to the top has not been easy. He regularly experiences stage anxiety, panic attacks, and fear of failure. The book includes backstage tours, lessons learned, wisdom, humour, and advice on navigating through a life with purpose. Host: Suzanne Leal BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Debra Oswald Change and Choice BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Change and Choice DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 Meet Betty: storyteller, feminist, eternally curious and on the eve of her one-hundredth birthday party. Women’s lives have changed significantly in those one hundred years, and we get to learn from one ordinary but extraordinary woman who has lived through a century in Debra Oswald’s latest novel, One Hundred Years of Betty. Host: Anne Maria Nicholson BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Amy Schembri, David Weiner Sports Non-Fiction for Young Adults BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Sports Non-Fiction for Young Adults DATE: Sunday 30th March LOCATION: Manly Golf Club COST: $12; Free for young people aged 13-18 Sports non-fiction for young people is more than just stories about games—it’s a powerful way to inspire, educate, and connect. Real-life tales of determination, teamwork, triumph, and resilience show young readers what’s possible on and off the field. Whether it’s the journey of a rising star, the history of a trailblazing team, or the behind-the-scenes grit of a World Cup or Olympic dream, sports non-fiction helps young people see themselves in the stories and learn life lessons along the way. It builds a love of reading while encouraging healthy values like persistence, fair play, and self-belief. David Weiner (The Goals That Changed Australia) takes readers through iconic moments in Australian football, from John Aloisi’s unforgettable World Cup penalty to Cortnee Vine’s heroics in 2023. Amy Schembri (Making It…Or Not) explores the real-life journeys of young footballers navigating their path from junior leagues to professional careers. This session is suitable and free for young people aged 13-18. BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

424b306c-90a6-4fc0-bdcf-86131beba2f7 Manly Surf Life Saving Club VENUE DETAILS Ashburner St &, S Steyne, Manly NSW 2095, Australia Rooms Used: xxx < VIEW ALL VENUES NEXT VENUE > 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.

Lia Hills, Shireen Morris, Jacqueline Rule Reflections: Dispossession of Your Land BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Reflections: Dispossession of Your Land DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 Almost 18 months after The Voice referendum, it is regarded as one of the key political failures of the Prime Minister and his government. We reflect on the emotional and cultural impact of this pivotal event and explore the heartbreak, resilience, and ongoing journey of Australians deeply affected by its rejection through Broken Heart by lawyer and adviser on Indigenous Constitutional recognition, Shireen Morris, and through two novels that explore the same themes: The Desert Knows Her Name by Lia Hills and The Leaves by Jacqueline Rule. Host: Isabella Higgins BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Aarti Betigeri, Deep Gujral, Sharon Verghis Made In India BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Made In India DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 The Indian diaspora in Australia is one of the country’s fastest-growing and most vibrant and diverse cultural groups. According to recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data, more than 700,000 Australians identify as having Indian ancestry, many of whom are first-generation migrants. Growing Up Indian in Australia, compiled by Aarti Betigeri, is a heartfelt, reflective account of navigating two worlds: the rich traditions of Indian heritage and contemporary Australian life. Betigeri and her contributors, including Manly local Sharon Verghis, capture the joys, struggles, and humour of straddling two worlds. Similar tales are also captured by the tales of Deep Gujral (Manjits and the Tandoor of Secrets) through his experience as a Sikh child at one of Sydney’s most conservative private boys’ schools to an event and restaurant enterprise catering largely, but not exclusively, to the Australian Indian community. Host: Summer Land BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Sarah Arachchi, Jumaana Abdu, Lisa Kenway Breaking the Mould: Women, Medicine, and the Power of Storytelling BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Breaking the Mould: Women, Medicine, and the Power of Storytelling DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 Doctors are trained to diagnose, treat, and heal—but what happens when they turn to writing to make sense of their experiences? In this conversation, Sarah Arachchi (Brown, Female, Doctor), Lisa Kenway (All You Took From Me), and Jumaana Abdu (Translations) explore the intersection of medicine and storytelling, reflecting on the challenges of being women in a high-pressure profession and how their backgrounds shape their perspectives. From navigating identity and bias in the medical field to the emotional weight of patient care, these doctor-writers share what their profession has taught them about resilience, humanity, and the stories that need to be told. Why do doctors write? What role does personal narrative play in medicine? And how can storytelling change the way we see healthcare, race, and gender? Join us for an intimate and thought-provoking discussion on breaking barriers in medicine and literature. Host: Charlotte Rimmer BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Max Holzner, Josh Piterman, Katherine Wiles, Gillian Wills 'Teach the Children Well' (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS 'Teach the Children Well' (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) DATE: Sunday 30th March LOCATION: Manly Golf Club COST: $22 Studies show that music education helps improve cognitive function and literacy. Increasingly crowded curriculums and finite resources have seen schools cut back on music programs, resulting in thousands of children leaving primary with no formal music education. Many schools that try to retain some music in their curriculum often deliver it by a generalist teacher who has received 17 hours of music education in their four-year degree, compared with 350 hours for a generalist teacher in South Korea. How do we ensure policymakers and educators see the bigger picture of the value and importance of music education to every child’s development? Panel: Max Holzner, Josh Piterman, Katherine Wiles, Gillian Wills Host: Suzanne Leal BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Zena Shapter Workshop: Writing Your Life Story BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Workshop: Writing Your Life Story DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $45 What story could be more significant than the story of your life? Whether it’s for your family, friends, or yourself, this workshop will guide and inspire you to write your life story. This workshop will help motivate you to record and weave your life story regardless of age. Discover how to make your story both compelling and engaging, how to create the road map that led you to where you are today, and how to bring details to life. Find the focus of your life story, then learn how to translate it into a workable structure for your memories. Outline a plot skeleton in class. By the end of this workshop, you will understand what and how much you need to write. Through in-class writing and editing exercises, you’ll learn how to transform your memories into stories and determine the best way to start telling your tale. Your story is worth sharing. Explore and share it! No writing experience is required. Presenter: Zena Shapter BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Jane Caro Author Talk with Jane Caro BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Author Talk with Jane Caro DATE: Friday 28th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 Jane Caro is a Walkley Award-winning columnist, author, broadcaster, and social commentator. She has worked in marketing and advertising and has penned over 15 books across a range of genres, including novels, women’s issues, religion, and memoirs. Her latest novel, Lyrebird, is based on the premise that lyrebirds are exceptional mimics. So, when one emits the sound of a woman screaming in terror and pleading for her life, how do a young PhD student and an inexperienced detective convince anyone that the bird witnessed a murder without an actual missing person, let alone a body? In her latest thriller, released on April 1st, Jane highlights injustices faced by marginalised women. BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.

Jumaana Abdu, Sara Haddad Reflections: Conflict in the Home of Your Heart BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Reflections: Conflict in the Home of Your Heart DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 How can storytelling highlight the human cost of conflict, provide solace, and inspire hope for a brighter future? Don’t miss this exploration of the transformative role of writing during times of crisis. Jumaana Abdu writes novels and essays, her most recent work being Translations. Sara Haddad is an editor and writer whose novel, The Sunbird, is a modern parable that tells the story of millions of people yearning to go home. Host: Antony Loewenstein BUY TICKETS < PREVIOUS NEXT > 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.