If you’re into Young Adult / teen literature and you’re in Sydney next week, don’t miss these awesome events with some extraordinary YA writers at Sydney Writers Festival … I am definitely heading along to some on 20 May ahead of Primary School Days.
Unexploded Diagrams with Mal Peet
May 19, 1:30pm-4:30pm State Library of NSW, Jean Garling Ante Room International YA superstar Mal Peet leads a discussion on the craft of writing fiction for young adults. Workshop three pages of your manuscript with Mal and the class. Supported by Pantera Press. $85/$75
Talkin’ Bout My Generation
May 20, 2:30pm-3:30pm Bangarra Mezzanine Immerse yourself in the 1960s with coming-of-age stories from two top writers for young adults. Mal Peet and Ursula Dubosarsky talk to Joy Lawn about treading the line between autobiography and fiction. Free, no bookings
A Neverending Story: Fantasy Worlds
May 20, 11:30am-12:30pm Sydney Dance 4 Three authors who create imagined worlds explore our enduring fascination with fantasy and unpick the complexities of the genre. Isobelle Carmody, Scott Westerfeld and Justine Larbalestier talk to Joy Lawn. Free, no bookings
Islands of the Imagination
May 20, 2:30pm-3:30pm Sydney Dance 4 Fairytale, folklore and fantasy combine to create otherworldly island creations in Margo Lanagan and Mette Jakobsen’s latest work. They explore how to feed and release the imagination in fiction. With Judith Ridge. Presented with UNSW. Free, no bookings
Masterclass: Ursula Dubosarsky on YA
May 16, 10:00am-4:30pm State Library of NSW, Jean Garling Room An exclusive Masterclass in writing for YA with Ursula Dubosarsky open to unpublished authors seeking feedback on their manuscript and tips for improving their writing for publication. Participation is by application only. To download further information and an application form go to nswwc.org.au. Presented in association with the NSW Writers’ Centre. Presented in association with the NSW Writers’ Centre. Supported by Pantera Press. $210/$200 Bookings 9555 9757 nswwc.org.au
A Greyhound of a Girl
May 20, 2:30pm-3:30pm Sydney Dance 2 The pages of A Greyhound of a Girl are filled with love, laughter and Roddy Doyle’s unmistakable Irish brogue. Not to mention the most brilliant ghost ever. He talks to Cath Keenan about his writing for children. Free, no bookings
Her Dark Materials
May 20, 11:30am-12:30pm Bangarra Theatre Is anything out of bounds in young-adult fiction? Margo Lanagan, Lucy Christopher and Kirsty Eagar are not afraid to address controversial subjects. They tell Hilary Rogers where to draw the line. Free, no bookings
