Only eight sleeps until the opening night of the inaugural Newcastle Writers Festival. I can’t wait! I so adore Newie. The harbour and beaches are beautiful, the city itself has a unique culture that makes it very special, and it abounds in history.

Plus it’s home, or has been home, to some of this country’s best writers.

So why not book a weekend in this fabulous city, say the weekend after Easter? Not only are there excellent Writers Festival panels and chats to attend, you can enjoy many cultural, gourmet and outdoor activities, plus a fascinating working harbour to watch. I mean, who wouldn’t want to camp at this bar and watch a sunset like this?

I’m on two panels during the festival:

Saturday 6th April

Heart of the Matter: Writing Romance with Michelle Douglas, Deborah Challinor, Cathryn Hein and Kaz Delaney. Hosted by Anne See.

2-3pm, Newcastle City Business Centre, cnr Bolton and Hunter Streets, Newcastle, NSW.

Sunday 7th April

A Fine Debut: The pleasure and pain of your first book. Courtney Collins and Cathryn Hein. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom.

1.30pm-2.30pm, Newcastle City Hall – Banquet Room – Free Session.

For more information and to book your tickets, please visit the Newcastle Writers Festival website.

Hope to see you there!