The Adas: 2017 Judges
“It takes courage to write poems and stories and to expose them to the critical judgement of others.” Elisabeth Grove, Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose judge We are pleased to announce... Read More
News
Keep up to date with all the WLF news and happenings. 
Throwback Thursday – Helen Cerne (Curiouser and Curiouser)
Helen Cerne (Curiouser and Curiouser) – Mini Review The audience was fascinated when Enza Gandolfo, who was chairing, encouraged Helen to show us her notebooks from over the years —... Read More
Throwback Thursday – The Fighter: A True Story – Arnold Zable
The Fighter: A True Story. Arnold Zable in conversation with Donna Ward – Session Mini Review What a pleasure to hear Arnold Zable introducing his most recent book, a biography... Read More
Rose Damon: on winning The Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize 2016
Rose Damon, winner of The Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize 2016, for her short story, ‘The Line’, shares her experience on winning with us. “I just want to offer my heartfelt... Read More
On Happiness: New Ideas for the Twenty-First Century – Mini Review
On Happiness: New Ideas for the Twenty-First Century: Deborah Pike, Tony Moore, Alice Pung & Ranjana Srivastava It was indeed a coup to secure four of the distinguished authors of... Read More
A Passion for Footy – Mini Review
A Passion for Footy – Angela Pippos, Michael Hyde and Nicole Hayes. Footy’s close to my heart. So before hand-balling to the panel, I took to the stage sporting my... Read More
Meet Morris Gleitzman – Review
A fantastic opportunity to meet one of the funniest, most versatile and daring of writers for children and young people. I’m a fan from way back, having been transfixed... Read More
Penguin and the Lane Brothers – Mini Review
Penguin and the Lane Brothers – Downstairs Studio Sunday 2pm It’s not every session you find yourself sitting on the floor because there’s not an empty seat in the room.... Read More
Older and Bolder: Renata Singer & Melanie Joosten – Mini Review
Older and Bolder: Renata Singer & Melanie Joosten in conversation with Enza Gandolfo A lively, thought-provoking session. Ably hosted by Enza Gandolfo from Victoria University, discussion was generous, wide-ranging and... Read More
Nick Gadd (Walking and Writing the Suburbs) – Mini Review
Nick Gadd (Walking and Writing the Suburbs) Nick spoke without notes about his award-winning blog Melbourne Circle, while his daughter operated the power point showing fascinating photos taken on Nick’s... Read More
Sally Rippin (Billy B Mysteries) – Mini Review
Sally Rippin (Billy B Mysteries) The hour flew by as Sally delved back into family photos for the sources of her Billy B stories and showed how the book illustrations... Read More
Fathers From The Edge – Mini Review
Fathers From The Edge – The Chamber Saturday 2pm A panel discussion that quickly turned into a cosy chat amongst friends, panel and audience alike. A chat about life and... Read More
Andy Griffiths: Grown Up Talk! – Mini Review
Andy Griffiths: Grown Up Talk! Rotunda in the West – The Supper Room Saturday 3.30pm A handful of kids were smuggled into this session. They were the luckiest kids in... Read More
The Adas – Winners Announced!
Congratulations to the winners of The Ada Cambridge Writing Prizes 2016! The Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize 2016 First Prize Rose Damon, ‘The Line’ Runner-Up Fikret Pajalic, ‘Soul to Sell’... Read More
Willy Lit Fest on Film
We’re thrilled to share two films with you profiling Willy Lit Fest highlights from the 2015 festival. We hope these whet your appetite to come and join us at #willylitfest16.... Read More
Historical Romance in the 21st Century – Meet the Panel
Go on – admit it! You are a little bit curious about the wonderful world of historical romance. You must have asked yourself at some point… Does a bodice really... Read More
Penguin and The Lane Brothers – Reflections from Angela Altair
Who hasn’t got at least ONE dog-eared, plain covered Penguin in a corner of their bookshelves? I found mine on the topmost shelf, reserved for old paperbacks like Portnoy’s Complaint... Read More
Thank you to our sponsors
We are blessed to have so many wonderful sponsors and supporters. Without this support the Willy Lit Fest would not exist, so here’s a big thank you to them all:... Read More
We Love Workshops
Workshops on the craft of writing and storytelling have always been a feature of the Willy Lit Fest program and sell out early as spaces are limited to provide for interaction and instruction.... Read More
How do we go on living when our lives fall? – Olga Lorenzo
A little girl disappears in the wilderness. Two years later her mother is arrested for her murder. A provocative and unflinching literary novel of love, guilt and grief set against... Read More
Willy Lit Fest 2016 Tickets Selling Fast!
Tickets for this Willy Lit Fest 2016 are selling fast! There are four ways you can purchase your tickets: Online – tickets will be sent by post or available for... Read More
Backstage at Stereo Stories
Vin Maskell, MC and curator of Stereo Stories Live, gives us a glimpse into how the show comes together. The band is setting up in my loungeroom: Peter Maskell and... Read More
Congratulations – Ada Cambridge shortlist 2016
We’re so thrilled to announce the following writers who have made it onto the Ada Cambridge shortlist for 2016. A huge congratulations to them all and our thanks to everyone... Read More
Andy Griffiths at Williamstown Literary Festival – Look Out!
UPDATE – Huge congratulations to Andy and Jill Griffiths and Terry Denton for the Australian Book Industry Award for Book of the Year for Younger Children and the People’s Choice... Read More