News

Now in its fourth year, the New Norcia Writers’ Festival offers a varied mix of writers, artists and performers in sessions which take advantage of the unique Wheatbelt monastery town’s rich history and beautiful architecture. This year’s guests include authors Anthea Hodgson, David Whish-Wilson, Susan Midalia, Michelle Johnston and Laurie Steed; poet Rose van Son; artist Jeremy Kirwan-Ward; and soprano Katja Webb and pianist Chris Milbourn.
The set price of $80 includes four sessions, morning and afternoon teas, wine tasting and an open mic event (buffet or picnic lunch options are available for an extra charge). There will be ample opportunities to explore the community’s museum and art gallery and other places of interest.
For the first time, ticketholders will also be able to “curate” their own programme by choosing four out of eight possible sessions on the day. “As most of the venues have limited capacities, allowing concurrent sessions effectively double our potential audience,” festival director William Yeoman said. “This means greater choice and a real festival buzz.” Yeoman, who is also director of Perth Festival Writers' Week, said he was especially excited to be able to feature operatic soprano Katja Webb in performance with pianist Chris Milbourn. “Katja and Chris performed American composer Aaron Copland’s 12 Poems of Emily Dickinson at this year’s Perth Festival Writers Week to great acclaim,” he said. “I’m grateful to them for agreeing to perform this beautiful song cycle ‘again for us at New Norcia.”

Below are short synopses of each session.
On Sentences and Sutures - What is the relationship between health and creativity? How does storytelling tread the fine line between truth and fiction? Can a busy emergency doctor really find the time to write novels? Dr Michelle Johnston talks about her powerful debut novel, Dustfall The Coves of San Francisco - WA crime fiction writer David Whish-Wilson is known for his acclaimed series of Frank Swann detective novels set in Perth and Fremantle. He talks about his latest novel Sydney Coves Pride, Prejudice and Perth The Art of Persuasion. Families and Other Calamities - How does love die? What effect does a disintegrating marriage have on children and their future lives? Award-winning WA author Laurie Steed talks about writing and relationships, growing up in the Wheatbelt and the journey from short-story writer to novelist, as he discusses his moving debut novel, You Belong Here Country Matters - Anthea Hodgson might live in Perth now. But she’s never forgotten her farming roots. In this lively conversation, Anthea talks about changing careers, balancing family and writing and drawing on her rural upbringing for her two novels, The Drifter and The Cowgirl Poems for New Norcia The Art of Colour - Jeremy Kirwan-Ward is one of WA’s most significant multi-disciplinary artists. In this rare live interview, he discusses his life and art, including his teaching, as well as the stunning new monograph, Jeremy Kirwan-Ward: You Can See It From Here Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson - In 1950 the American composer Aaron Copland set 12 of Emily Dickinson’s beautiful, enigmatic poems for soprano and piano. In this encore performance direct from Perth Festival Writers’ Week, acclaimed operatic soprano Katja Webb and pianist Chris Milbourn perform the complete cycle, followed by a discussion about the relationship between poetry and music. For bookings go to the webshop or contact Lucy at communications@newnorcia.wa.edu.au.