There’s words in them thar hills of Mansfield

The magic of the first ever Mansfield Readers & Writers was … well, I’m lost for words. Odd for a writer! But this inaugural celebration of stories in the high country was a literary event to savour.

The banter, food & wine, country venues, shop windows welcoming writers, book buying and signing fun, the new friendships and inspiration. An absolute page turner!

I shared writing techniques with the students of Mansfield Primary School, took  junior jetty jumpers along for a story ride and craft capers, settled into the street storytime chair for storytelling and hosted authors Peter Coleman, Janine Mikosza and Justine Sless for a Memoir Writing panel. As well as inspiring locals to write their milestones in a Legacy Writing workshop.

Mansfield Readers and Writers truly lived up to its mission that “Through our shared and separate stories, we connect, heal and grow.”

Much, much thanks to the merry band of volunteers, and the sponsors of this first ever festival of stories for Mansfield. You were all so filled with the heart of community connection, and genuinely joyful about books and the folks who write them. We authors can’t thank you enough.