Aspiring writers and literary fans gathered at The Hotel Canobolas for the Orange Readers and Writers Festival on Saturday.
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Following workshops on Friday, six writers discussed their works, methods and inspirations at Saturday’s talk-fest, which had the theme Life & Love: Memoirs and Life Stories.
The festival included presentations by author and novelist of The Olive Sisters and The French Perfumer, Amanda Hampson; Mitchell Librarian and State Library of New South Wales director of education and scholarship Richard Neville, and author of War Child Annette Janic.
It also included presentations by journalist, broadcaster and author Julia Baird, historian and author Catherine Bishop and Miles Franklin Literary Award-recipient and author of The Eye of the Sheep Sofie Laguna.
It was the second time keen readers Patricia Bannatyne and Helen Bilenkij had attended the festival.
“I’m a keen reader, it just makes a difference to hear authors talk about how they go about their work,” Mrs Bannatyne said.
“We had a very good impression of the first festival we came [two years ago].”
Dr Bilenkij said she was particularly looking forward to seeing Julia Baird’s presentation, having previously heard her speak on television.
“It’s good to see authors who you know of or have read books of,” she said.
“We know Julia from the ABC and then I’ve read Sofie Laguna’s book.”
It was the first time many of the writers had attended the Orange festival and the topics were diverse to attract a wide range of guests.
“I’m from the Mitchell Library so I will be talking about the Mitchell Library and Miles Franklin, whose papers are in the library,” Richard Neville said.
“She’s one of Australia’s best known authors.”
Catherine Bishop said she talk would focus on writing about colonial business women, which is the basis for her book.
As well as discussing her literary work, Amanda Hampson signed books after her presentation, as well as holding a sold-out memoir writing workshop as part of the festival on Friday.
“Twenty-two people attended, it was over-subscribed with a waiting list,” she said.
On Friday, the History Council of NSW also presented a workshop about uncovering historical community and personal stories.