As always NWF 2025 is my weekend of the year, I am a Librarian after all!!
I have also always called it Mecca for Book Lovers.
It is pure joy, and so incredibly stimulating.
Here is my breakdown.
Opening Night: Benjamin Law in Conversation with Gina Chick
I have never missed an opening night, and whilst I didn't really know Gina Chick, that didn't stop me. I do however love Benjamin Law. I first came across him as a journo and columnist for various quality mags and newspapers. His book came across my way at work and I read it immediately recognising his name. And then I loved him even more.
I was lucky enough to meet and have a conversation with him at the Newcastle Young Writers Festival well over a decade ago. And remember him and his partner at Marieke Hardy's curated People of Letters Program at the 2014 SWF. I don't really get fanatical about performers, but I do love to share the love around, and Ben is one of them.
So I was keen.
It was a great night. The usual chats and thanks from ever brilliant MC, Dan Cox, Uni VC, and our heroine of the moment, Festival director, Rosemarie Milsom.
Ben was Ben, charming and intelligent and hilarious. Gina Chick was entertaining, better than I thought. Whilst she poo-pooed Woo Woo and Hippyness, she was definitely a good smattering of both. Some of her stories were fascinating, others not so much. I didn't hate her, but definitely didn't mind her.
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SATURDAY 5 APRIL
Saturday is the big day! It is not for amateurs, lol! I go all in on the Saturday, and for the past few years Andrew was with me, this year also. He loves the weekend as much as me now, which is kinda everything to me!
We arrived early, around 8.45am, to get breakfast from Olive Tree markets, and then head to our first session.
Breaking the news: the future of media
Rick Morton and Eric Beecher were in conversation with Kylie Morris. Rick is a young and wonderful journalist for The Saturday Paper. His autobiography, One Hundred Years of Dirt, is remarkable. Eric Beecher is the editor of Crikey! Kylie Morris is a Foreign Correspondent, she is the wife of Bharat Nullari, director and show runner for Boy Swallows Universe.
They spoke about the media today, the future and all things Murdoch. Spoiler: they are not fans, lol! It was such an honest and glorious chat about their backgrounds, and past work, and work today. They have different styles, but clearly think similarly. These people that report honestly, are the heroes of today. Was a pure pleasure to be in their midst.
A wild life: Markus Zusak in conversation
This was a big one, you could feel the excitement in the air as people lined up outside the theatre at The Con. My history with Markus goes way back. When I was a new Library worker, I did a lot of kids and teen work and programming. He was a teen writer back then, and I had enjoyed his book, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, a book about boxing for tween boys.
I headed to a Teen Conference at the NSW State Library in the early 2000s and Markus was our guest speaker. He was there to talk about writing for teens, and his new book, yet to be published, The Messenger. He would have been in his mid to late 20s, but looked much much younger and was very good looking. You could feel the silent oohs of a room full of Librarians straighten up and sigh with a smile. He was either on his way to or from his publisher and showed us his manuscript for The Messenger, with playing cards taped in - just as they would be in the book when I read it later in the year.
You knew he would be a star.
How much of course, was beyond our wildest imagination.
So twenty years later I saw him again, and he was everything. Humble, funny, intelligent, warm, generous and engaging. He was in conversation with the lovely Dan Cox, and talking about his new book, a memoir of his dogs. He held the audience in the palm of his hand. He is the superstar of Australian writing. The author who struck gold. And yet, he was so available and open to everyone. He signed books for 3 hours after his session, ensuring every person got a good chunk of his time. His appearance was simply a gift to book lovers.
I cannot wait to read his book and wish I had time to line up and tell him the above story, I think he would have loved it.
Theory and practice: Michelle de Krester
I was thrilled to see Michelle de Krester in conversation with Michaela Kalowski. I have loved her work since reading the epic Questions of Travel many years ago. Her books are highly philosophical and at times a little stream of consciousness. She plays with book format, and her latest is the perfect example. She wrote it as if it was non-fiction, it is a novel, and she purposely used many non-fiction tropes within it. I had read and enjoyed the novel, Theory and Practise, but struggled with it at times, this was when she changed the writing style. Had I known this going it I think I would have loved it more. I need to re-read it.
She spoke about the research for the book, and whilst fiction, how much of it was based on her own time at Uni. She also went into behind the scenes of writing, her style, and especially her style in this latest book. She was exactly as I imagined, quietly spoken but strong of convictions, highly intelligent, lovely and beautifully presented.
After the voice referendum: Thomas Mayo in conversation
While I was at Michelle de Krester, Andrew went to Thomas Mayo in conversation with Clare Wright. He said it was an uplifting session, with a lot of hope. Very powerful and wonderful.
LUNCH
Breaks are important at festivals such as this, you need sustenance to keep you going and you run into friends. I love festivals for catching up with friends I have not seen in a while or close friends. This is one of the best aspects of the festival. We found a great Woodfire pizza near the Uni, especially for the festival, and enjoyed a nice pizza. This gave up time to debrief, see and chat to friends, and take five with some yummy food before going back into it.
The men who killed the news: Eric Beecher in conversation
After lunch, we headed back into the media landscape. Eric Beecher again, this time in conversation with the goddess, Jennifer Bryne. They spoke about his latest book, which 'lifts the lid on the abuse of power by media moguls', and his grand career as a journalist. They had worked together, way back, and had a great rapport. Both Andrew and I have a big crush on Jennifer so it was great to see her there in front of us. I loved that Eric said the news of now and the future are podcasts and Substack, two things where I mainly get my news from now. Phew, I am not as old and backward as I have thought. This was a good session.
Stories with heart: Anita Heiss in conversation
Anita is a long-time friend, so seeing all her sessions was a must, and I will try not to be biased, lol. Anita was in conversation with Courtney Collins. Both had a great rapport, and the session was a sheer delight. Hilarious and insightful this was a cracking session. Anita talked about both her new books, Dirrayawadha, historical fiction about the frontier wars in Bathurst, and Red Dust Running, chick-lit.
She had the audience in the palm of her hands, with her fabulous commentary, about love, life, Indigenous history, and behind the scenes of writing. She commenced the session with a call to country in indigenous language, which is a real treat. She spoke with Courtney about her work, she is prolific, and her new publishing company, and everything in between. Engaging, and generous, this was a fun and informative session.
DINNER
We had a few hours break before our last session, so jumped on a tram and headed up to the beach, then had a light dinner at Grain Store. We then headed back to the playhouse for the final session. While waiting, we got to see some of the authors arrive for the session. Andrew was thrilled with a small exchange with one of his faves, David Marr. I was thrilled to see Marieke Hardy, who looked amazing. We caught up with friends and excitement and buzz was in the house.
Better off said: eulogies for the living and dead
Better off said is Marieke Hardy's latest salon and it is a cracker. Her first was women (and sometimes men/people) of letters, where she would curate a group of women (men/people) to write a letter about a specified topic and they would give a live reading of it to an audience. I have been lucky enough to see a few Women of Letters, and they are always magnificent. My favourite was at SWF some years ago, and it was couples reading letters to each about how they feel about each other. Dr Karl and Zan Rowe, about working together, Ben Law and his long time partner, and so on. But the evening ended with David Williamson and his wife. She spoke first and about helping David through his recent stroke. Not a dry eye in the room, and when David took to the stage he was so emotional he couldn't go on and the night ended abruptly!
Better off said is similar, still a letter, but to someone or something you know or knew and things you wish you had said to them.
The evening was hosted by Emilie Zoey Baker, under the watchful eye of Marieke. Zoey was the perfect host, quirky and funny, kind and welcoming.
The first author was Krissy Kneen with a hilarious but touching reach out to her ex best friend. Krissy was wonderful, a great start to the evening. Anita Heiss was next with a love story to her father, who passed 10 years ago. It was very warm, funny, but also not a dry eye in the theatre at the end of hers. She really rose the bar. Next up was Nikki Gemmell, with tribute to her recently passed father. Sulari Gentill told a great story about a lawyer who saved her bacon very early on in her law career. He was from the opposite side but still fixed her mistake and was an older, polished gent named Rolly. Hers was a thank you to him, and of course she named her main character in her series, Roland, after him.
David Marr rounded out the evening with a brilliant eulogy to Rupert Murdoch, who had passed on this very day at 108. It was eloquent, clever, sharp, political, and hilarious as only you can imagine. Marr at his finest, he had the audience in awe and laughing. It was a charming and lovely evening. I got to speak to Marieke on the way out, thanking her to her involvement in Broad Radio, which I love. She was really chuffed, genuinely too. I hate fangirling over people, it is so very uncool, but if I can think of something genuine to say and the timing is right, I find you get genuine back.
It was the perfect way to end a perfect day, we got home around 9.45!
SUNDAY 6 APRIL
After hitting our fave cafe for a big breakfast, we headed for Sunday, a much lighter day.
Culture and the creative spirit
We split up for session one. I was at Nardi Simpson and Anita Heiss in conversation with Kate Mildenhall. This was by far Anita's best session. I was there early, had a chance to chat to Anita and to listen to Nardi warm up. Nardi is a musician and poet, her songs are stunning. She was walking nervously around the room humming to herself.
The session started with Nardi singing us a song in her language, one she had written earlier that morning while going for a walk at the beach. It was stunning. I have sung indigenous songs in choir, and they are always beautiful to sing, a lot of vowels which open the song up, and almost always in the minor key. So she had us all hooked in and a little teary.
Both Anita and Nardi were differing writers, and personalities, and yet they complimented each other beautifully. They both spoke about country and writing about it, how they write, when they write and how creativity is sparked. Whilst they both spoke about their new books, it was more about writing, their heritage, and what they most want to convey with their words. This was great.
The correspondent: Peter Greste in conversation
While I was with Nardi and Anita, Andrew was with Peter Greste. He said it was pretty intense hearing about Peter's ordeal, but how he dealt with it then, and even now. He said Peter was quite commanding, but also humble and lowkey. He also was amusing, talking about the film coming out about his experience with Richard Roxburgh playing him. Sounded like a great session.
Pushing the boundaries: John Safran in conversation
Another biggie, we headed to Safran. We both fell in awe/love with Safran from Race Around the World. I had recently read his book and had very mixed feelings about it, mostly worried for his mental health. He was in conversation with his good friend Marieke Hardy, and it was a great conversation, they have great chemistry, and he indeed seemed ok. He spoke a lot about the book and why he did it but mostly the first half of the book, which I loved, and not so much about the later half. This was what I found concerning, so I guess spoilers. He was funny and Safran, the session was wonderful.
sidenote: Good friends were at the session, and then headed to Darby for lunch, he ended up at the same cafe. They chatted to him and he ended up heading to their place nearby. I saw a message from them as I was leaving the festival but was tired, I didn't read it properly until I arrived home. They had invited me over, I was stuffed so dumbly declined. They said he was lovely and quiet and interesting.
LUNCH
More catch ups and chats with people we knew, and lovely savoury crepes for a light lunch before Andrew headed home. He had a great weekend and had thoroughly enjoyed himself, how my heart swells at this. To know my partner in crime enjoys what I enjoy means everything to me.
About a boy: Helen Garner in conversation
And so to my final session, one of my all-time favourite writers, and easily Australia's best writer, Helen Garner. She was in conversation with Rosemarie and the theatre was packed. I was in the sort of front row. I had run into an ex-colleague and her family beforehand. I had not seen her in a long time, so was thrilled to see her, I took my seat right next to them, how perfect!
As soon as Helen and Rosemarie took to the stage, I teared up. I get so emotional with some people, Helen is one. She means so much to me and I know at 82, she is getting on. She certainly writes about it in her latest book, The Season. She was sharp and smart and funny as always, but you know, this might be the last time I see her IRL. I felt a little silly for getting weepy and hung my head a bit until I realised it might look like I was falling asleep lol. After I saw a close friend and they said they also teared up for the same reasons! Yes, I felt much less silly.
Anyway, Helen spoke about her book, her family, writing and everything. She was generous with her words and her time, and she had us all in awe of her genius. Rosemarie did ask her what was next, and she said she had nothing. This was dreadful to hear, I suspect she will write small things for serials and newspapers as she always had done, but The Season may be her last book.
Huge thanks to everyone who pulls together this special weekend, I know it is a huge cast of behind the scenes people and volunteers. Just marvellous. But without the incredible vision of Rosemarie Milsom, there would be no festival. What an inspirational woman, thank you!!!
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