Each year WriteFest organisers try to bring writers something a little different, something practical, something adventurous, something new to tempt and tease.

The mix this year is no different.

Writers’ increasing interest in Life Writing resulted in our invitation to Dr Lindsay Simpson to share her expertise. No ordinary memoirist, Dr Simpson’s latest publication investigates the Daniel Morcombe saga. As an academic with a background in investigative journalism, she appreciates the need to get the facts right and at the same time tell a gripping yarn.

Kat Apel, best seller writer of Aussie stories for Aussie kids, wants to help you discover your inner child, and learn how to translate it to a story which will empower and entertain.

Publishing and technology. Is it too much for you to get your head around? Cathleen Ross and Kandy Shepherd can answer all your questions, from writing a bio right up to how to upload to your digital selling platform. And they’ll make it seem easy.

Shannon Curtis tackles three core aspects of authorship in detail: plot structure; character relationships and building pace and tension.

And Peter Ball will be with us to represent the Australian Writers Marketplace, GenreCon 2015 and to give us the lowdown on what a writer needs to do and how a writer needs to think to create a screenplay – perhaps from their latest novel.

Check out the programme, and the presenters, so far.

More information to come about:

• MasterClass – How to eliminate editorial issues (some of them legal) before hitting send – with Liz Filleul.
• Agent in residence – Alex Adsett.