Huge names announced for Writers Fest

Star power: Nick Hornby, the man behind High Fidelity, About a Boy and Fever Pitch, will headline this year’s Bendigo Writers Festival. Photo: FILE

SOME of the world’s greatest authors are set to take part in the 2023 Bendigo Writers Festival.

Australian’s Helen Garner, Thomas Kenneally and Victor Kelleher will be in Bendigo for the event, while Nick Hornby will be live on the big screen at the Ullumbra Theatre from the UK.

Festival director and founder Rosemary Sorenson said the schedule’s set and she’s excited to see event in full swing again this year.

“We are fully booked with writers,” she said. “It’s now just about working out the last details to make sure everything is all tracking ok. We have 127 names on the schedule.

“Last year we had a reduced version, because everything was so uncertain, this year we are back. At some stages during the festival, it will be at seven different venues.”

In her time behind the pen Helen Garner has won Walkley and Ned Kelly awards, while Thomas Kenneally received the Booker Prize and his novel Schindler’s Ark was adapted into Academy Award winning film Schindler’s List.

Victor Kelleher is a young adult and children’s author most well-known for his novels Brother Night and Del-Del which were Ditmar Award nominees.

Ms Sorenson said this year’s festival offers something for everyone.

“We have Michael Johnson and his harp on Sunday morning, we call it Mindful Music, he will play and talk about why music is good for you,” she said.

“Neil Balme, the Richmond great, is also coming. He will be talking as one of the writers. He worked with Anson Cameron on his autobiography, and he was really keen to come.”

Arguably the biggest name involved however is Nick Hornby, author of books High Fidelity, About a Boy and Fever Pitch which have all gone on to be turned into feature films.

He was also the screenwriter for Academy Award nominated films Wild and An Education.

Ms Sorenson said she is excited to see Bendigo buzzing again this May.

“When I see the atmosphere in and around The Capital and around that precinct it is an absolute joy,” she said.

“People are so pleased to come out and the writers always enjoy themselves.”