Newcastle Writers Festival

Nicola Redhouse reads from her book Unlike the Heart: A Memoir of Brain and Mind and talks about the way her research grew from her own postnatal anxiety to something much bigger. Host - Magdalena Ball If you would like to buy a copy of Nicola’s book, which is published by UQP, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Much-loved singer/songwriters Clare Bowditch discusses her heart-breaking, wise, and inspirational memoir. Host / Sarah Macdonald If you would like to buy a copy of Clare’s book Your Own Kind of Girl, which is published by Allen & Unwin, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

David Leser discusses the origins of misogyny, the impact of the #MeToo movement, and proposes a new map for masculinity with host, Rosemarie Milsom If you would like to buy a copy of David’s book Women, Men & the Whole Damn Thing, which is published by Allen & Unwin, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

For six years Miriam Lancewood lived off the grid throughout New Zealand’s wilderness areas where she learnt to hunt and forage. She shares her experience with Rosemarie Milsom If you would like to buy a copy of Miriam’s book A Woman in the Wilderness, which is published by Allen & Unwin, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Behrouz Boochani speaks from New Zealand about life after Manus Island, the impact of his award-winning memoir No Friend but the Mountains, and the enduring power of literature to change the world. Host / Michael Byrne If you would like to buy a copy of Behrouz’s book No Friend but the Mountains, which is published by Pan Macmillan, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Against the backdrop of World War II and its far-reaching fallout, Suzanne Leal and Favel Parrett’s compelling novels explore the impact of betrayal and the meaning of home. Host / Meredith Jaffé If you would like to buy a copy of Suzanne’s book The Deceptions, which is published by Allen & Unwin, or Favel’s book There was Still Love, which is published by Hachette, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Throughout history, anger has fuelled surges in female-led activism, but is it having an impact where it matters now - and if not, why not? With Jane Gilmore, Ruby Hamad and Trisha Pender If you would like to buy a copy of Jane’s book Fixing the Headlines: Violence and the Representation of Women in the Media, which is published by Viking or Ruby’s book White Tears/ Brown Scare, which is published by MUP, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Charlotte Wood discusses her critically acclaimed novel The Weekend, which centres on the intricacies of female friendships and the impact of ageing with host, Ailsa Piper If you would like to buy a copy of Charlotte’ book The Weekend, which is published by Allen & Unwin, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au/

Newcastle writer David Owen Kelly discusses his darkly funny and confronting memoir State of Origin, which explores loyalty, misguided love and loss. Host / Ed Wright If you would like to buy a copy of David’s book State of Origin, which is published by Puncher & Wattman, click here https://www.macleansbooks.com.au

From heavy wipe-outs to heaving crowds, soulful road trips to flow states, Ash Grunwald provides insight into the lives of surfing legends who also happen to be brilliant musicians. Host /Nick Milligan If you would like to buy a copy of Ash’s book Surf by Day, Jam by Night, which is published by Pantera Press, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Sarah Macdonald and Cathy Wilcox share their straight-talking, laugh-out-loud survival guide to raising teenagers with host, Meredith Jaffé If you would like to buy a copy of Sarah and Cathy’s book So … You’re Having a Teenager, which is published by Murdoch Books, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au/

What happens when the person you love conceals their true identity? Susan Francis and Stephanie Wood discuss the devastating fallout with host, Suzanne Leal If you would like to buy a copy of Susan’s book The Love that Remain, which is published by Allen & Unwin or Stephanie’s book Fake, which is published by Penguin Books Australia, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

This year’s award, held in collaboration with Spineless Wonders, encouraged writers to use microlit to explore physical, psychological, environmental and historical scars. Hear readings by writers included in the Scars anthology. Host / Cassandra Atherton Featuring: The Ocean Has Made Promises - Shaynah Andrews, Shot Through - Nadine Schofield, Affinity - Susan McCreery, Discussing Pain [and the things I don’t say.] - Deb Wain, ATAPS 2013: (The Department of Health Access to Allied Psychological Services Suicide Prevention Program) - Josh Mei-Ling Dubrau Landscrape - Andrew Roff Kitten - Jen Craig Earth Scars - Magdalena Ball Scar Makers Make Men - Paul Collis Shark Bite - Trisha Pender Contrails - Alyson Miller Best of Three - Danielle Baldock Swell - Kathleen Bleakley Neighbours- Brenda Proudfoot Ripple - Paul Hetherington Magic Show - Shady Cosgrove Shotgun - Patrick West Inside - Sarah St Vincent Welch Old Habits Die Hard - Stuart Barnes Drawing the Line - Anna Forsyth The Sheaves of Days - Richard H

Explore the craft of poetry and the inspiration behind Hunter Region author Gillian Swain’s book, My Skin its Own Sky in this virtual book launch with host, Magdalena Ball

Claire Albrecht and Hera Lindsay Bird discuss the pitfalls and occasional positives of anxiety in the poetic process with host, Bastian Fox Phelan. If you would like to buy a copy of Claire's book Pinky Swear, which is published by Puncher & Wattman, go to www.cupletpoetry.com/purchase/pinky-swear-by-claire-albrecht

Explore the craft of poetry and the inspiration behind Hunter Region author Morgan Bell's book, Idiomatic, for the People in this virtual book launch. Host / Magdalena Ball

Gabrielle Jackson and Lee Kofman explore what it’s like to live in a body that deviates from the ‘norm’: from the complexity of self-image to the minefield of medical intervention. Host / Caroline Baum If you would like to buy a copy of Gabrielle’s book Pain and Prejudice: A Call to Arms for Women and their Bodies, which is published by Allen & Unwin or Lee’s book Imperfect, which is published by Affirm Press, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Sophie Hardcastle, Nicola Redhouse and Maria Tumarkin discuss how they have challenged literary boundaries to explore trauma. Host / Magdalena Ball If you would like to buy a copy of Sophie’s book Below Deck, which is published by Allen & Unwin, Nicola’s book Unlike the Heart: A Memoir of Brain and Mind, which is published by UQP or Maria’s book Axiomatic, which is published by Brow Books, go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Sophie Hardcastle's new novel Below Deck is a work for anyone who has felt the sting of misogyny or the consequences of assault. She speaks to Magdalena Ball. If would like to buy a copy of Sophie’s book Below Deck, which is published by Allen & Unwin Books go to www.macleansbooks.com.au

Maria Tumarkin reads from her award-winning non-fiction book Axiomatic, which is part reportage, part philosophical meditation and part storytelling. She interrogates conventional wisdom about the role of the past in shaping the present. Hosted by Magdalena Ball. If would like to buy a copy of Maria’s book Axiomatic, which is published by Brow Books, go to http://www.macleansbooks.com.au