THE Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival (BRWF) 2022 program has gone live online.

It has been a wild ride according to the organisers.

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“Building the program for a writer’s festival is a lot like an Indiana Jones movie,” said BRWF programmer Adam Norris.

“You’re dodging boulders, opening magical chests, and people won’t stop throwing spears at you.

“But at the end of the day, not only do you get to wear an awesome hat, but you end up with an entire weekend of these unbelievable conversations.

“I like pairing authors who you wouldn’t ordinarily expect to see together.

“Kevin Rudd talking with Fran Kelly is a no-brainer, of course, but a conversation between Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis and philosopher Danielle Celermajer is something really unique.

“Same goes for our memoir event, where this legend of playwriting David Williamson is sitting down with Dick Smith.

“You’re just not going to see these kinds of discussions anywhere else.”

After the recent announcement that BRWF’s original patron Peter Carey is joining the festival live from New York, his interviewer has now been announced as Melanie Kembrey, editor of Spectrum (Sydney Morning Herald), who is also interviewing the festival’s other Booker Prize-winning guest, Thomas Keneally.

Highlighted also is an esteemed line-up of Indigenous fiction and non-fiction authors in Anita Heiss, Claire Coleman, Tony Birch and Mykaela Saunders, while myth and magical realism come to the fore with Penguin Literary Prize-winner Sophie Overett and winner of The Age Book of the Year, Robbie Arnott.

For the program visit www.bellingenwritersfestival.com.au/program/.

Budding authors also still have time to enter the BRWF Writing Competition.

Now in its third year, the quality of writing across the three LGAs – Bellingen, Nambucca and Coffs Harbour – must be seen to be believed, say the organisers.

With three different age categories open for submissions, there’s high anticipation of what the contest has in store.

For details about the theme, word length, and how to submit your story, follow the link to the Bellingen Readers & Writers website – closing date is 20 May at 8pm.

Visit www.bellingenwritersfestival.com.au/updates/announcing-the-2022-bellingen-readers-writers-festival-writing-competition/.

By Andrea FERRARI