Over 250 visiting students from schools around the south west, as well as MacKillop students from Years 1 to 11 attended the Between the Lines Literature Festival last week. This two day event is organised annually by St Mary MacKillop College, in partnership with Dymocks Busselton.
The festival showcased eleven WA writers. Sally Murphy and Jen Banyard spent time in the primary classrooms and award-winning author and illustrator, James Foley, introduced his newly released book, Brobot, to younger readers. James also discussed his dark, comedic tale, My Dead Bunny, with older classes. Sessions were light-hearted and fun, with writers demonstrating their artistic and story-telling prowess and imagination.
Norman Jorgensen, Dianne Wolfer and Mark Greenwood had the middle schoolers either laughing out loud or spellbound. Alice Nelson used fortune cookies as a creative writing stimulus; Brendan Ritchie explained the stimulus for Carousel, and Sam Carmody discussed his book, The Windy Season, and also lead a songwriting session. Julia Lawrinson told the personal story behind her latest novel, Before You Forget, causing a few tears, and Deb Fitzpatrick, another member of the impressive lineup, spoke to senior students about her coming-of age novels which are set within the familiar Western Australian landscapes locals know and love.
Authors presented writing tips for their school-aged audiences to use and shared anecdotes from their own experiences as writers. Book purchases, signings and author meet & greets were available at the Dymocks stall. Between the Lines 2017 fostered an engaged, lively atmosphere, uniting students, staff and guests of all ages in their passion for books and literature.
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