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I am going to be part of a literary festival. I can’t quite believe I just typed that; I’m still in disbelief. I’ve volunteered at literary festivals and dreamed of one day speaking at one… but that was a dream. What is this thing now called reality? Is this really happening? … According to the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival program, it is!
Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival
Running from October 18–19, the literary festival brings together writers and readers from all over, celebrating stories in every form – novels, picture books, poetry and even games. This year’s theme is A Sense of Place and it couldn’t be more perfect. Stories are so often rooted in the places they’re told, whether that’s the winding paths of the Dandenongs, the bustling streets of Melbourne, or another world entirely (maybe one with potions and magic).
You can take a look at the program here, but let me give you a preview of what I’ll be up to at the literary festival – and what I’m most excited about.
My session: Engaging the toughest literary audience (kids!)
On October 18, from 9am–11am, I’ll be part of a panel called Engaging the toughest literary audience: kids. I’ll be joined by two incredibly talented authors: Caroline Stills, whose debut middle grade novel A Gift from the Birds won the 2024 Text Prize; and Pauline Hosking, the author of fantasy adventures and the much-loved Cinnamon Stevens mysteries. We’ll be guided by our moderator Elizabeth Fensham, who has nine award-winning children’s and YA novels to her name.
We’ll be diving into the joy and the challenge of writing for kids – who, let’s be honest, can be the most challenging readers of all. They know instantly when something doesn’t ring true, and they’re never afraid to say so! But when you get it right, their excitement and imagination are unmatched. For me, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of writing The Potion Experiment: hearing from young readers who see themselves in the characters or who simply love the mayhem of a potion gone wrong.
Tickets for this session are $25 for adults, $22 concession, and it’s being held at the Belgrave Library. I’d love for you to join us!
So many events to look forward to
One of the best things about being part of a literary festival is being surrounded by so many other passionate writers and readers. This year’s program is so good, I’ve already got my highlights circled:
- More than fantasy: capturing the YA audience – YA fantasy has always been close to my heart, so I can’t wait to hear from authors who are creating bold new worlds for teen readers.
- People, places, and the making of villains – my friend Kylie is moderating this one, which makes it even more special. Villains are some of my favourite characters to explore, so I know this will be fascinating.
- Everyday drama: making the ordinary extraordinary – featuring Alison Goodman, whose Dark Days Club series I adored. I also interviewed Alison back at university and later volunteered at a convention she attended, so this feels like a full-circle moment.
- Workshop: self-publishing – as someone who self-published The Potion Experiment, I’m always curious to hear about different approaches. There’s always something new to learn.
- Storytelling and place setting in games – I studied games and media at AIE, and even took a Writing for Games elective at RMIT, so I’m especially excited to hear more about how storytelling overlaps with interactive worlds. I wrote a blog post about narrative in games a few years back too.
And that’s just scratching the surface. There are sessions on poetry, memoir and crime writing too. If I had a time-turner, I’d be at everything!
Beyond the sessions
There are also free community events to attend, including a literary festival book swap and a writing sprint. The whole program feels designed to celebrate the joy of storytelling, whether you’re a seasoned author, an aspiring writer or someone who simply loves getting lost in a good book.
And I have to mention the opening night: Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites and Devotion, will be speaking at Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave. She’s one of Australia’s most admired writers, and her work embodies the festival theme of A Sense of Place perfectly.
Thank you, Belgrave Book Barn
I wouldn’t be at the literary festival without the wonderful team (especially Claire) from Belgrave Book Barn. They’ve been such enthusiastic supporters of The Potion Experiment, stocking it on their shelves and just being an all-round lovely bunch. Independent bookstores like theirs are the beating heart of our reading community, and I’m so grateful they thought of me when it came to this literary festival.
Honoured and excited
Being invited to participate in the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival is incredibly special to me. Not just because I get to sit on a panel (though that’s an honour in itself!) and share space with authors I admire, but because festivals like this bring together readers and writers, spark new conversations and celebrate creativity in all its forms.
So here I am, with my calendar marked and my excitement levels steadily rising. I’m so grateful to the festival organisers, to Belgrave Book Barn, and to every reader who’s picked up The Potion Experiment and given it a chance. If you’re nearby in October, I hope you’ll come along – whether to my session or another panel. Maybe we’ll even bump into each other, arms loaded with books, on our way to the next session.