We have traditionally had our Poet's Breakfasts at the Festival, but this year we intend to push the literary boat out a bit further, literally!
We have some seriously interesting events along this line, with some star-studded writers.
We've got it all in Yack.
OUR 2010 FESTIVAL LITERARY PROGRAM will involve some of our exceptionally talented local and regional writers including:
Louise D’Arcy – Louise has been writing for over 15 years. She's had over 30 short stories published in Australia and overseas. Last year she won the Albury City Library Short Story competition for the second time. She is this year's winner of The Age Short Story Award.
Cate Kennedy - ‘Australian Queen of the short story’, writer Cate Kennedy will talk about her creative journey and provide some tips on how to get published. Cate is the author of the highly acclaimed novel The World Beneath, the travel memoir Sing and Don't Cry: A Mexican Journal, the prize–winning short story collection, Dark Roots as well as poetry collections - Joyflight and Signs of Other Fires.
The Yackandandah Folk Festival literary program includes a Poet’s Breakfast on Saturday 20th March hosted by UK poet and balladeer, Christopher Cape and, on Sunday 21st, Jan Lewis from Corryong and The Man from Snowy River Festival will facilitate proceedings. All are welcome to come and listen or share their literary work or favourite readings with a breakfast at The Shed.
For the first time all have the opportunity to participate in or be entertained by The Great Yackandandah Poetry Slam. Speak, scream, howl, whisper or sing your original poem at the Slam to be held at Yack Festival’s Playhouse venue 8.00pm Saturday 20th. All contestants are given a microphone, a live audience and just two minutes to impress the judges with their original work reflecting the theme of "Harmony" in the form of spoken word, poetry, hip hop, song, monologues and stories. Participants in The Poetry Slam are invited to register from Friday till Saturday 6.00pm at the Festival office. The Great Yackandandah Poetry Slam will be hosted by Joseph Thompsen, radio presenter of ABC Goulburn Murray.
There will be a chance to join a writing workshop on the theme of 'Harmony' with 2009 Age short story competition winner, Louise D’Arcy on Saturday morning at the Yack Community Centre.Only fifteen people can attend this workshop, so make sure you get there early. 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Join in Conversation with award–winning writer Cate Kennedy who is well known as one of Australia's leading literary figures and our local master of the short story form. Cate began as a poet and travel writer with the acclaimed Sing and Don't Cry: A Mexican Journal, and then published an extraordinary collection of short stories Dark Roots- for which she was widely cherished and critically applauded. Kennedy has made a seamless transition from short story writer to breathtaking novelist with her brilliant first novel The World Beneath described as “full of poetic lyricism in its density and deep concern for the fragile selves that lie beneath the insecure surface of the everyday”. Cate will share insights into her journey of becoming a successful writer and will provide tips on how to get published. Yack Community Centre - Saturday - 2.00 - 3.30 pm.