Byron Bay Writer's Festival
Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 11:28AM 
Today I'm packing my bags to head north for the Byron Bay Writer's Festival. The invitation to speak at this festival is particularly exciting for many reasons.
First it's Byron Bay and it's a writer's festival! Probably enough said...but I'm a writer so I'll elaborate anyway...
Writing is often a solitary pursuit and these opportunities to meet readers and fellow writers are exhilerating, inspiring and just plain fun.
On Thursday evening I'll be at the Opening Dinner for the festival where I will no doubt have many "OMG-isn't-that-[insert famous author here]" moments. Can't make any promises but I will try to be dignified.
On Friday I'll be attending the launch of John M. Green's fabulous new thriller Born to Run. As well as being a talented writer, John is one of my very favourite people and I am looking forward to applauding his latest work into the literary world.
On Saturday I'll be speaking with Leslie Cannold (The Book of Rachael) and Jesse Blackadder (The Raven's Heart) on a panel entitled Using History as a Springboard for Fiction (2.45pm - Red Marquee) chaired by the warm and wonderful Edna Carew (who like Rowland Sinclair's Edna, is called Ed).
On Sunday, Ashley Hay (The Body in the Clouds) and I will be speaking with the winner of the Varuna LitLink Award and Moya Costello about A Career's Progression (2pm - Chatroom A). I met Ashley when our books were both short-listed for the Commonwealth Writer's Prize. Coincidentally both our novels had the Sydney Harbour Bridge at their centres, and I remember Ashley joking that we would probably meet again at "some bridge panel". Not quite...but I am looking forward to catching up with her.
Two years ago I last attended the Byron Bay Writers Festival. That was before signing with Pantera Press. I don't think I'd ever met a published writer before. I remember how inspiring, fascinating and daunting the festival was. Things have changed a bit since then. This year I'm attending as writer and a guest of the festival. I'm still inspired, fascinated and a little daunted.
In other news, A Decline in Prophets was reviewed in this month's Women's Weekly. For someone whose novels weave through and around so many great Australian icons, this is really lovely...or as Rowland would say - "Smashing!".