About Me

Hi. My name is Sally Hall and I write YA. In 2019 I was shortlisted for the Varuna Publisher Introduction Program (I was also shortlisted in 2016). In 2014 I won a PIP Fellowship for a young adult manuscript. In 2013 I was awarded the CBCA NSW Charlotte Waring Barton Award which included a mentorship with Penguin Books Australia. I've had magazine and short stories published in various anthologies and placed in many competitions. I also write in a corporate capacity for my 'day job'. My website is www.sallyhall.com.au.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Writers Unleashed Festival

The Writers Unleashed Festival this year was held on 14th November at Gymea Tradies.

There are always lots of good points about attending festivals but let me tell you what I love the most.

  • The freedom of picking which sessions you want to go to. There's always more than one though...sometimes it's a very hard decision to make.
  • Being exposed to new authors. This year I discovered YA author, Trinity Doyle. I bought Trinity's debut novel Pieces of Sky at the festival (and got it signed). I started reading it almost the second I got home and it is an amazing book. It's about Lucy, a girl who has recently lost her brother in a surfing accident and she's dealing with her sudden fear of water, a new boy in town and the fact that her brother's phone is getting weird, mysterious text messages. It was uplifting and tear producing and I loved it.
  • Hearing from the Publishing Panel. This year there were four publishers who gave us an insight into the publishing industry and generously answered any question the crowd members asked.
  • Meeting new people, networking, catching up with old friends.
  • Learning things! Ber Carroll's session on characterisation was thought provoking and I also enjoyed Pamela Cook's presentation on getting published.
  • Buying books! The speakers usually have their books for sale should you wish to purchase them. You can even get them signed (to yourself or for a gift).
  • Having a day off from washing, running kids around etc.
  • Sitting in the crowd and secretly (don't tell anyone...) imagining myself giving the presentation one day.
I had a great time and I will definitely go back again next year. Thanks to all the organisers who donate their time to make this wonderful festival a reality. 

http://shirewritersfestival.weebly.com/

2 comments:

  1. And I like how at festivals I always get to catch up with people I've been meaning to for ages - even the ones that live not too far away!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, so true Sandy Fussell! It was great to catch up with you and in a writerly environment too. What should we go to next?

    ReplyDelete

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