Dubbo Writers' Festival 2023
Dubbo Writers' Festival is back for our 8th year in 2023. Join writing workshops, book conversations with publishing experts or come to our free events about writing and writers.
​
Dubbo Writers' Festival acknowledges the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet. We pay our respect to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people.
​
Dubbo Writers' Festival is organised by the Outback Writers' Centre.
Writing Workshops
Heroes with Humanity: Creating Realistic and Intriguing Protagonists
Candice Fox
Saturday September 9th
Western Plains Cultural Centre
Meeting Room 3
10am - 1pm
Candice Fox teaches us how to write enduring heroes who defy cliches, exude mystery and lead the reader into active moral judgements.
​
This three-hour interactive creative writing workshop suits writers of all genres intent on developing three-dimensional heroes. This workshop may stimulate a short piece of writing to be entered in the Festival Cup and presented at the festival dinner for judging by James McKenzie Watson winner of the Penguin Literary Prize with his debut novel, Denizen.
​
Candice Fox is the author of nine solo novels, three of which have won Australia's prestigious Ned Kelly Award. All of her novels have been shortlisted for the award. She has multiple tv and film adaptations currently in production, with the adaptation of her bestselling Crimson Lake hitting screens as Troppo starring Thomas Jane and Nicole Chamoun in 2022. All seven of her collaborations with James Patterson have been New York Times best sellers.
​
Cost: $50
​
Lunch is provided free for participants who book both of Candice’s workshops. This event is brought to you as part of Dubbo Writers' Festival and is organised by the Outback Writers' Centre. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Creating Credible Connected Villains
Candice Fox
Saturday September 9th
Western Plains Cultural Centre
Meeting Room 3
2pm - 5pm
Candice Fox arms participants with the skills to create frighteningly believable and relatable villains ripped straight from real life, yet composed with stuff of nightmares.
​
Candice Fox is the author of nine solo novels, three of which have won Australia's prestigious Ned Kelly Award. All of her novels have been shortlisted for the award. She has multiple tv and film adaptations currently in production, with the adaptation of her bestselling Crimson Lake hitting screens as Troppo starring Thomas Jane and Nicole Chamoun in 2022. All seven of her collaborations with James Patterson have been New York Times best sellers.
​
This three-hour interactive creative writing workshop suits writers of all genres intent on developing three-dimensional characters. This workshop may stimulate a short piece of writing to be entered in the Festival Cup and presented at the festival dinner, judged by James McKenzie Watson winner of the Penguin Literary Prize with his debut novel, Denizen.
​
Cost: $50
Free Events
Author Showcase
Friday September 8th
Macquarie Regional Library Dubbo
5pm - 6pm
Authors, register for a table, now to be part of the Dubbo Writers' Festival, Author Showcase.
It's a free, pre launch, event for authors at the Macquarie Regional Library in Dubbo.
An opportunity to market your books and meet your readers.
​
Register to reserve a table and then arrive around 4.30pm on the 8th September to set up your space.
​
The Book Connection with be on board again to process payments of your books. If you plan to use The Book Connection, check with Beverley to ensure books are in stock via email at orders@bookconnection.com.au
​
This event is brought to you as part of Dubbo Writers' Festival and is organised by the Outback Writers' Centre. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Festival Dinner and Dubbo Festival Cup
Saturday September 9th
Upstairs, Milestone Hotel
195 Macquarie St, Dubbo NSW 2830
From 6:30pm. RSVP to outbackwriters@gmail.com
Surviving Submission Spur Expressions Of Interest
Sunday September 10th
Western Plains Cultural Centre
Meeting Room 4
From 2pm
Open to Outback Writers’ Centre members this is a unique opportunity to have your work commented on by industry professionals.
​
Once you have registered, send your polished first chapter and genre to outbackwriters@gmail.com by midnight AEST Friday 1st September with Surviving Submission Spur in the subject.
​
The best six manuscripts will be read anonymously for our panelists Rochelle Fernandez (Alex Adsett literary agency), Linda Nix (Editor and Publisher) and Candice Fox (award-winning author) to comment on.
Surviving Submission Spur Audience
Sunday September 10th
Western Plains Cultural Centre
Meeting Room 4
From 2pm
Have you ever wondered why your manuscript has been rejected? Or what you might need to do to engage a commissioning editor? Surviving Submission Spur is a fabulous opportunity to hear publishing industry and writing professionals discuss their responses to a chapter that has, theoretically, just turned up in their inbox. This on-the-spot feedback from panellists will spur you on to making your manuscript more attractive to a publisher.
​
What are their initial thoughts? Why do they read on or file it in the WPB? How long will a manuscript survive before all panellists say STOP? Will a whole chapter ever be read without interruption—so far, no!
​
Just being in the audience for this panel will gain you valuable insight into how to keep a commissioning editor turning the page of your manuscript.
Writing Consultations
An opportunity to meet publishing industry professionals
This event is your opportunity to talk to a publishing industry professional for $50 for a 30-minute session. 16 conversations only available (4 conversations with each publishing expert.)
​
Rochelle Fernandez, Linda Nix and Candice Fox.
​
Even if your work is just in the ‘thinking stage’ these industry professionals will help you discover if your idea has ‘legs’ and pinpoint the possible pitfalls you might encounter with your story.
​
This is not a pitching opportunity, but a ‘has this idea, story got legs? conversation.
​
Sunday September 10th
10am - 1pm
​
30 minute consultation for $50 / consultation
Rochelle has been an editor for nearly 20 years, across genres and for publications and traditional publishers. Rochelle is now a literary agent with Alex Adsett Literary Agency. She is seeking well written manuscripts of any genre with a compelling premise and three dimensional, interesting characters. she is passionate about hearing and seeing diverse stories that represent the wonderful multicultural multifaceted society that comprises Australia.
Linda has twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, having worked for large and small professional and non-fiction publishers in production, editing, commissioning and marketing roles. Since going freelance in 2010, she has worked with trade publishers and authors on both fiction and non-fiction books. She is currently publisher and editor at Lacuna Publishing, an imprint she founded with her partner in 2012, and a professional member of the Society of Editors (NSW).
Candice is the author of nine solo novels, three of which have won Australia's prestigious Ned Kelly Award. All of her novels have been shortlisted for the award. She has multiple tv and film adaptations currently in production, with the adaptation of her bestselling Crimson Lake hitting screens as Troppo starring Thomas Jane and Nicole Chamoun in 2022. All seven of her collaborations with James Patterson have been New York Times best sellers.