At a time when truth is under threat in so much of what we read, ‘I’m Not Making This Up’ celebrates the power of fact in storytelling, bringing together some of the brightest talents and most distinctive voices writing non-fiction today.

The festival of true stories opens on Saturday, 26 November at Coledale Community Hall with a keynote speech from the multi award-winning author of The Winter Road, Kate Holden.

Best-selling memoirist Patti Miller appears in conversation with Caroline Baum to discuss  difficult relationships in True Friends.

After cider and storytelling direct from the farm with Jo Fahey from Darkes Glenbernie Orchard, join us for dinner at Earthwalker with foraging expert Diego Bonetto discussing why we should Eat Weeds.

On Sunday 27th, Dr Jodi Edwards introduces us to the local Dharawal language.

In a Mind & Body discussion, Anne Howell speaks about her experience with severe amnesia as captured in her memoir All That I Forgot, and Phillipa McGuinness goes beneath the surface to examine our largest organ in Skin Deep. 

Former detective Gary Jubelin investigates criminal Badness.

Professor Rob Brander, aka ‘Dr Rip’, appears in conversation with Walkley-award-winning journalist, author and surfer Malcolm Knox.

Stella Prize-winning Tasmanian novelist Heather Rose unveils her memoir Nothing Bad Ever Happens Here, and we end the day with the sounds of Lovers, Dreamers & Fighters, as singer Lo Carmen talks about memory and her sources of inspiration with acclaimed biographer and journalist Mark Mordue.

In our hands-on Saturday workshop program, you can learn to write truthfully with Patti Miller and discover the edible local landscape at the Wild Weeds Workshop.

Books will be on sale at the hall, thanks to Collins Booksellers Thirroul.

‘I’m Not Making This Up’ is a co-production of the South Coast Writers Centre and the Illawarra Flame, with artistic direction by Caroline Baum.

Tickets on sale in October. Visit southcoastwriters.org