Somerset College in Robina is set to kick off its annual Somerset Celebration of Literature Festival next Wednesday with approximately 120 events scheduled to take place over the three day celebration.
In its 21st year, Robina Group is proud to sponsor the writers’ festival, which features an interactive program including sessions and workshops appealing to children, families and adults; and attracting more than 30 acclaimed authors and illustrators from around Australia to take part. For the full list of authors click here.
A celebration of literature for the entire Gold Coast City community, highlight events include the Literary Lunch on Thursday 20 March, featuring a conversation with Robin de Crespigny, author of the controversial novel, The People Smuggler and winner of the 25th Human Rights Award for Literature, the Queensland Literary Award and the Ned Kelly Award for True Crime.
The festival culminates on Friday 21 March with the prestigious Robina Group Literary Long Table Dinner, where guests will be entertained by keynote speaker and the highly acclaimed Peter FitzSimons. Australia’s biggest selling non-fiction author for the past ten years, Peter will share his stories and experiences to kick off the evening’s festivities.
Standard ticketing sessions are $7 and can be purchased here. However, the festival also provides a variety of free events including the Prologue Party on Wednesday 19 March and a free author panel session on Thursday 20 March at Mudgeeraba Markets Shopping Centre, a short drive from Robina. There are also “In Conversation” sessions scheduled with a number of authors including Dave Hartley, who recently wrote Deadly D and Justice Jones: Making the Team with Rugby League legend, Scott Prince.
Somerset College has recently launched the Somerset Literary Fund which raises money to bring students to the festival that would otherwise be unable to attend. Students are offered two author sessions along with transportation to and from the Festival during their visit. Next year will see more than 200 students from Goondiwindi State Primary School, St. George State Primary School, Burnett State College and Nyangatjatjara College welcomed to the festival. To make a tax deductible donation to the fund, contact Andrea Lewis at events@somerset.qld.edu.au or on 5559 7377. You can also complete an online Pledge Form here.
The full program for the Somerset Celebration of Literature can be accessed here and you can follow the Somerset Celebration of Literature on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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