Lisa Gallate, Richard Light, Richard Gosling Holding On and Letting Go: Finding Strength Through Loss BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Holding On and Letting Go: Finding Strength Through Loss DATE: Friday 28th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 Loss is a universal human experience, but how we navigate it is deeply personal. In this moving session, hear from two authors whose lives have been shaped by sudden tragedy and the profound process of healing. Lisa Gallate (Just Because—Love, Loss, Renewal) and Richard Light (Grief and Growth) share decades-spanning reflections on coping with bereavement and finding ways to move forward. From a different perspective, funeral director Richard Gosling (After the Worst Has Happened) offers profound insights into allowing others to grieve while discovering unexpected beauty in a life surrounded by death. Together, these stories explore the journey from devastation to hope, offering comfort, inspiration, and wisdom for anyone touched by loss. Host: Suellen Dainty 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.

Lech Blaine Two Families on a Collision Course: A Memoir BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Two Families on a Collision Course: A Memoir DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 In Australian Gospel: A Family Saga, acclaimed author Lech Blaine explores the fraught intersections of faith, family, and identity in a gripping memoir. On one side, Michael and Mary Shelley are devout fundamentalist Christians who reject what they see as the indulgences of Australian culture—sports, swearing, and alcohol. On the other, Lenore and Tom Blaine are publicans with a raucous, rugby league- obsessed household, raising both their biological and foster kids, including Lech himself. This sensational tale, woven with Lech's signature wit and keen insight, chronicles these two families’ profound tensions and unexpected connections. It is a story of love, loyalty, and the clash of worldviews, offering an unflinching look at the ties that bind and the beliefs that divide. Host: Steve Cannane 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.

Rananda Rich Workshop: Unlock Your Best Work: The Power of a Personal Editor BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Workshop: Unlock Your Best Work: The Power of a Personal Editor DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $30 Every great writer needs a great editor. Even though traditional publishers will conduct their own structural and/or copy edits, a personal editor helps get a manuscript into shape before submitting it and should help to reduce the time to publication. Whether crafting your first manuscript or polishing your next bestseller, working with a professional editor can transform your work from good to extraordinary. Join us for a workshop to explore how professional editors can help refine your narrative, sharpen your prose, and ensure your manuscript is ready for publishers or, if self-publishing, your readers. Learn what to expect from the editing process, how to find the right editor for your needs, and why collaboration is the key to success. Presenter: Rananda Rich 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.

68d7c189-755c-4ff9-870a-769ac0b6b589 Michael Brissenden ABOUT < VIEW ALL HOSTS Michael Brissenden Michael Brissenden was a journalist with the ABC for 35 years, which included time as the defence and security lead, presenter of AM, political editor for The 7.30 Report, four years with Four Corners, and twelve years as foreign correspondent in Moscow, Brussels, and Washington. He has published both fiction and non-fiction books. He is now writing fiction full time. His first two novels were The List (2017) and Dead Letters (2021). His next book Smoke is another novel of murder, crime and corruption and will be published in Australia in July 2024. < PREVIOUS HOST NEXT HOST > 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.

Katherine Wiles 'Quiet Please, There's A Lady On Stage' (Peter Allen) BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS 'Quiet Please, There's A Lady On Stage' (Peter Allen) DATE: Sunday 30th March LOCATION: Manly Golf Club COST: $22 Katherine Wiles is not a household name, and that’s how she likes it, by choice. She has built a career by being part of the chorus of Opera Australia since 2007. And she writes about it in her memoir No Autographs, Please! balancing charming self-deprecation with professional style and confidence and in respectful homage to her chorus colleagues. 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.

Deborah Pike, Jessie Tu, Gillian Wills Creative Lives In Fiction: Stories Of Love, Ambition And Self-Discovery BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Creative Lives In Fiction: Stories Of Love, Ambition And Self-Discovery DATE: Sunday 30th March LOCATION: Manly Golf Club COST: $22 Explore the intricate dynamics of identity, ambition, and creativity with Deborah Pike (The Players), Jessie Tu (The Honeyeater), and Gillian Wills (Big Music). Through the lens of coming-of-age journeys, the tension between art and societal expectations, and the complexities of love and ambition, these novels illuminate the universal struggle to find one’s place in a rapidly shifting world. Join us for a compelling discussion on how cultural and societal pressures shape personal growth and creative expression and what it means to forge an authentic identity amidst competing demands. 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.

fbc335ee-8103-407a-93bd-64d2add4c47d Simon Hill ABOUT < VIEW ALL HOSTS Simon Hill Simon Hill worked for over a decade in radio and television in the United Kingdom after graduating from the University of Portsmouth. Simon moved to Australia and joined SBS Sport in 2004, where he was a presenter, commentator, and analyst on cricket and football. In August 2006, Simon moved to Fox Sports and later Paramount Plus, where he remains Australia’s leading football commentator. His autobiography Just A Gob on a Stick was published in 2018. Away from work, Simon plays the drums in a working band and follows his beloved Manchester City. < PREVIOUS HOST NEXT HOST > 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.

02d0664b-0500-4727-8c16-1df6f366771a Tim Ayliffe ABOUT < VIEW ALL HOSTS Tim Ayliffe Tim Ayliffe is an author of ‘real world’ thriller novels about espionage, extremism, politics and global power games, as well as a journalist both here and overseas. He was the Managing Editor of Television and Video for ABC News and also Executive Producer of News Breakfast. When he's not writing or chasing news stories, Tim watches rugby and surfs. He lives in Sydney. < PREVIOUS HOST NEXT HOST > 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.

Liz Deep-Jones, P.J. Laverty, Texi Smith, Karen Viggers Reading the Game: Inspiring Young Readers through Football BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Reading the Game: Inspiring Young Readers through Football DATE: Sunday 30th March LOCATION: Manly Golf Club COST: $12; Free for young people aged 13-18 Football can capture hearts and minds, making it a natural hook to get young people excited about reading. In this engaging session, meet four talented fiction writers who use the beautiful game to tell stories of ambition, identity, resilience, and self-discovery. Liz Deep-Jones (Lucy Zeezou), P.J. Laverty (RIPPA!), Texi Smith (Abebi), and Karen Viggers (Sidelines) delve into the emotional highs and lows of young characters whose lives are shaped by football. Together, they explore how sport-themed stories provide a powerful lens for addressing issues like family, cultural identity, perseverance, and personal growth. Whether you’re a young dreamer, an educator, or a parent, this session will inspire you to see how football stories can kickstart a lifelong love of reading. This session is suitable and free for young people aged 13-18. Host: Niav Owens 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.

9186bffb-5917-4bc8-9233-b86df13b02c1 Jill Valentine ABOUT < VIEW ALL HOSTS Jill Valentine Jill Valentine has spent over two decades crafting narratives as a communications and PR executive in the investment banking industry. During her career, Jill has worked closely with many CEOs, giving her a backstage pass to leadership styles and corporate culture. She firmly believes that compassion and kindness rule. Before diving into corporate life, Jill dabbled in a myriad of jobs. She was a singing, roller-skating waitress at Disneyland Paris and nurtured the little ones of an Oscar-winning movie editor and an Oscar-nominated actress as a nanny. Born in Scotland and then whisked off to England at a young age, Jill lived and worked in vibrant cities such as London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles. In 2000, she arrived in Sydney with just a backpack and never left. She now calls the Northern Beaches home. Her first novel High Heels and Low Blows was published in 2024. < PREVIOUS HOST NEXT HOST > 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.

Ariane Beeston, Craig Semple Resilience and Recovery: Navigating Mental Health Episodes BUY TICKETS 2025 PROGRAM < VIEW ALL PROGRAMS Resilience and Recovery: Navigating Mental Health Episodes DATE: Saturday 29th March LOCATION: Darley Smith Building COST: $22 Two deeply personal journeys that explore episodic mental health breakdowns, the path to recovery, and achieving a new equilibrium. Psychologist Ariane Beeston (Because I’m Not Myself, You See) provides an intimate look at her struggles with post-partum depression and hallucinations. Craig Semple (Getting Back Up Again) shares his experience after dealing with post-traumatic stress and severe depression following 25 years as a detective. Together, their memoirs illuminate what is needed to confront unexpected and unforeseen challenges and the courage to rebuild a fulfilling life. Host: Tracey Kirkland 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.

bb3ff6dc-8f97-4f87-8cc9-dc15fd3a0209 Tracey Kirkland ABOUT < VIEW ALL AUTHORS Tracey Kirkland Tracey Kirkland is an Australian news journalist who has worked in broadcast and print for more than thirty years. She is currently the Continuous News Editor in charge of TV and video at ABC News Channel, and was previously the ABC’s national senior newsgathering editor. Since joining the ABC in 1999, Tracey has been a reporter, presenter or producer for all of the public broadcaster’s major news programs. She is the co-editor of Pandemedia: How COVID Changed Journalism. PROGRAM SESSIONS WHAT: Fractured Foundations: Trust in an Uncertain World DATE: Saturday 29th March TIME: 12.10pm-1.10pm WITH: Michael Brissenden TICKETS < PREVIOUS AUTHOR NEXT AUTHOR > 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.