After the roaring success of the inaugural Words on the Waves Festival last year, the not-for-profit writers’ festival is gearing up for its second event in June with an all-star line up.
The June 3-6 festival will feature intimate conversations and panels, covering inspirational true stories, untold histories, current human truths and contemporary fictional narratives.
After the festival sold out in 2021, it has responded to demand by doubling its program in 2022.
The festival will host simultaneous author talks at Ocean Beach and Umina Surf Life Saving Clubs.
Festival Director Angela Bennetts said additional funding support from the Building Better Regions Fund and Central Coast Council helped significantly this year.
“It is a great honour to welcome authors and thinkers of such enviable talent to the Central Coast,” Bennetts said.
“We have taken great pride in crafting a program of diverse voices from across Australia that we know our community of readers will relish, whether it’s through the fiery debate, brave histories and life-affirming stories shared on stage; or in the deep reservoir of artistic work as represented by their books.
“These are writers with something important to say, and we can’t wait to hear it in person whilst overlooking the stunning waters of Broken Bay.”
The Festival said funding from partner, Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE), had helped the festival secure the appearance of top-tier authors from across Australia, including author of bestseller Burial Rites, crime writer Chris Hammer; Uluru Statement from the Heart campaigner Thomas Mayor, cultural commentator and theatre-maker Van Badham, political reporter Judith Brett, and poet Omar Musa.
From closer to home, the Festival will welcome trailblazing businesswoman Wendy McCarthy, investigative journalist Louise Milligan; Archibald Prize finalist Amani Haydar, and Crikey editor Bernard Keane.
“The Board is delighted with the authors that Words on the Waves is bringing to the Central Coast,” Words on the Waves Chair, Jacqui Barton, said.
“The Festival consistently challenges our expectations by providing varied experiences and engaging conversations – we look forward to this vibrant and diverse program on the beautiful Central Coast.”
Attendees can access the author talks held at these two venues by purchasing a Saturday Day Pass, a Sunday Day Pass, or a Weekend Pass – all available as part of the First Release rickets.
As part of the Second Release, Words on the Waves will offer standalone special events across various venues, including an opening night conversation event at Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, adult writing workshops, a family fun day, a cinema screening at Cinema Paradiso, and a literary cruise on the Hawkesbury.
Local authors will receive a spotlight through the introduction of a Book Launch program, hosted at various venue partners including Woy Woy Library, Bar Toto and Work Collective.
More information on these events will follow in coming months.
Local independent bookseller The Book Shop Umina will run festival bookshops in event venues, and each session will culminate with author book signings.
More information about the festival can be found at wordsonthewaves.com.au.
Maisy Rae