The South Coast Readers & Writers Festival returns to Thirroul over the weekend of 5-6 July with a vibrant lineup of literary talent, from rising stars to international bestsellers. With a program ranging from soul-stirring poetry readings, captivating literary fiction, historical recreation, and young adult adventures to thought-provoking non-fiction, intimate memoirs, gripping biographies, and cutting-edge politics, this year’s South Coast Readers & Writers Festival has something for everyone.
We sat down with one of the festival’s headlining authors, Pip Williams (The Bookbinder of Jericho, The Dictionary of Lost Words) to talk all things writing and reading.
What is your latest writing project?
There is a character from my previous novels who has always wanted a story of her own. I resisted for a while, but now she has got her way. My next book will be her story.
What are you reading right now?
I always have a few books on the go. A book by the bed, a book in the sunny corner where I have coffee, and an audio book for long walks. The current reading list includes Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin (bed), Always Was, Always Will Be by Thomas Mayo (coffee) and To Sing of War by Catherine McKinnon (audio).
What is the book that made you want to be a writer?
Every book I’ve ever read. Writing and reading are two sides of the same coin for me and I have no memory of not wanting to be a writer. From an early age I wondered how I could do what the writers of the stories I read were doing. Whether good, bad, easy or hard, every book has been instructive. If I had to choose one book that gave me the confidence to pursue a writing life, I would say Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss.
What does your writing space look like?
A crowded cafe. If I’m lucky, I have a table by the window and a view of the locals catching up and living life. There is usually a half drunk latte and maybe a slice of fruit toast sharing the table with my laptop and notebook and, today, the first rough draft of my next book, covered in edits.
What is your writing routine?
I am lazy by nature so I take my time waking up and having breakfast. I do Wordle and Connections then pack my bag and head to a local cafe. I’ll stay between 2 – 5 hours, depending on how the words flow, then I’ll do all the things that life and family require. Unless I’m travelling, the routine is more-or-less the same seven days a week.
Super early bird tickets are on sale now for the South Coast Readers & Writers Festival, at southcoastwriters.org/festival. The full festival program will be announced 5 May.
