‘Maintain the page’ is the motto adopted by the Scone Literary Long Weekend committee and that is exactly what their long weekend full of literary learning was all about.
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It doesn’t matter whether that page is on a computer screen, whether it’s written on while sitting under a tree or the subject of that page, but maintaining the page and embracing the importance of reading and writing is what the group is all about.
The committee hosted their second annual Literary Long Weekend from Saturday through to Monday and the reports have been glowing.
From the official opening by local woman Patrice Newell to the inaugural Patrick White Oration, through to the Soiree in the Garden on the Saturday evening, and the excellent writer’s workshops, the event was another fantastic success.
The 40 plus children that enjoyed the story telling section and the three writers groups – Warrah Writers, Singleton Writers Group and Brook and Beyond from Muswellbrook – that attended the ‘conversation’ on Monday were also thrilled with the opportunities.
Numerous visiting authors shared their wisdom with those present on all topics of the imagination, and many local authors also had the chance to expose their true talents in the literary world.
One such special guest author was Graeme Simsion, who travelled from Melbourne to speak as the special guest on Saturday evening.
Mr Simsion spoke on his book ‘The Rosie Project’, which he wrote after a mid-life change about nine years ago that inspired him to return to university to study screen writing and novel writing and become an author.
Travelling from Melbourne for the weekend was an absolute breeze for Mr Simsion as he was joined by his wife, fellow visiting author Professor Anne Buist.
Mr Simsion said it was his first time to visit Scone and he was being fabulously well looked after.
“I’m living the dream, having a fantastic time,” he said.
He said ‘The Rosie Project’ is currently lined up to be a Hollywood film due to start filming next year and he has also written a second book ‘The Rosie Effect’ as a sequel, and is now working on a third edition.
“I’ve basically been on the road and travelling the world since the beginning of 2013 when ‘The Rosie Project’ was published.
“It’s part of the package, and I enjoy getting feedback from people and talking about my and their experiences,” he said.
Scone Literary Long Weekend president Anne Davies said the event was a “rip snorting success”.
“It was very much a local community event with people coming from Merriwa, Cassilis, Scone, Muswellbrook, Singleton and over the ranges to take part.
“There are too many highlights to mention.
“The authors from Melbourne were sensational and Phillip Adams was outstanding.
“We had some great workshops, which local students attended and found really beneficial,” she said.
“Our numbers were great as the rooms were filled and the new location at the Scone Arts and Crafts Centre was fantastic.”
Ms Davies said the Soiree on Saturday evening was a lovely occasion with Irish music creating a fantastic ambience.
“It was just a lovely community event where people came, listened and loved it.
“Plans are already underway for next year,” she said.
All funds made by the committee’s second hand book stall will be used by the Scone Library to create Baby Packs, which are distributed to children at the hospital with a voucher enabling parents to visit the library to get a free book for their child.
