NYWF Festival Program Archive
Show data for: 2007 | 2008 |
Welcome to the National Young Writers' Festival Program, a collaborative effort by some of the most fertile and inventive brains in the country. All events are free and no registration is required. All you have to do is get yourself to Newcastle, and the rest is history!
Please note: This program information is out of date and for archive purposes only. The 2009 program will be posted online in September 2009.
Panels
View all Panels
- 2020 - opening panel
With the neo-conservative Howard years (supposedly) behind us and Rudd on a roll, TiNA is ready to host its very own faux-2020 summit, though... - Arts, Culture, Politics and Blaming Things On Les Murray
With an all-star cast, including Gangland author Mark Davis and NYWF co-founder Marcus Westbury, we look back at of ten years of making... - Author - Editor Incest
Editors - can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. In this ninety minute truce, editors put down their red pens and writers shelve their... - Chick-lit: A Mr Darcy of One's Own
Enter the hot-pink ghetto of Chick-lit. Is it a retrograde celebration of anti-feminist longing, urging girls to laugh off sexual politics and... - China NOW
Join Sydney PEN, Chinese writers and Australian journalists freshly returned from the Olympics to discuss freedom of speech in... - Contemporary art and the mainstream media
Can the simple, rapid nature of mainstream media effectively communicate the complexities and nuances of contemporary art, or are the two destined... - Curatorship: balancing art and community
All aboard the Curator Ship! Step up to the plank as we explore the sunken treasures of artistic curation. Swashbucking panelists give their... - Funny Ha Ha or just Funny?
I laughed so hard I almost wet myself; stop making me laugh it hurts; was it funny funny ha ha or just funny? What makes good comedy and how do... - How Student Media made me the Woman / Man / Success / Degenerate / I am Today
It's time to celebrate student media and find out where it can take you (New York, Paris, Nimbin, darling). Hear from stalwarts of the student... - Limp Wrists and Photocopiers: Actual Literary Pansy Boys Talk about Gender, Masculinity and Media
Some of the biggest names in candy-pants Australian zine culture reveal grim truths about gender identity. Laugh along as a bunch of... - Mining the Personal
Writers on both sides of the fact / fiction divide call for an end to outmoded distinctions between the imagined and the experienced. Find out how... - No theatre please, we're Australian.
Where did all the radicals go? Have the voices of the young and the restless been polarised and suppressed by subscriber culture? Or are audiences... - Rupert Murdoch Is Not A Cunt
He has been described as a warmonger, an oil imperialist, an apologist for dictatorships, a corporate tax-evader and the devil incarnate. But... - Save Our Souls
Juggling thirty-five projects, a relationship, a degree AND a drinking habit? Stop. Put down the to-do list and light your emergency flare. Three... - Sleeping with Strangers: Getting Close to your Characters
For some authors, writing good characters means going to bed with, and waking up next to, the fictional people in your head. Novelists talk about... - The End of Travel
Peak Oil's coming; time's running out to jump a plane and see the world. How will this affect our relationship to place? What literary... - Things that didn't kill us
So how do you small-press publish and survive? Forget sales charts and smiling future prospect reports. I mean, how do you really get by in small... - Web2Pod Project: Distribution
Using the UK's More=More distribution network as a starting point, we focus on innovative, accessible developments in distribution. From... - Web2Pod Project: The future of online media and publishing
While YouTube has revolutionised how we procrastinate, there's been a quiet explosion in other online media initiatives. We discuss open source... - X, Y and P: Australian Magazines Across the Generations
Overland, in print since 1954 and explicitly political in focus, shares the podium with...
Workshops
View all Workshops
- Beyond Read/Write: A Literature Remix Masterclass
Read/Write has always been a dichotomy in literature. The author on one side, reader on the other, both toiling away in solitude. But is there a... - Down with the Inner Critic: Free-writing Workshop
Had enough of discussing/comparing/analysing/consuming writing? Shed that critic for a day to let your inner wordsmith roam wild with this... - Imaginary friends are people too!
The benefits of imaginary friends are endless. Unfortunately these close companions tend to die out after reaching puberty. Writers, however, tend... - Interactive Narrative
Writers & media artists are invited to join force and collaborate to create new & innovative interactive narrative concepts. Presented by... - Letter Vox - writing for literary radio
ABC Radio National’s Book Show presents a workshop designed to get you reflecting on, writing and recording the experience of the NYWF. Come... - Letter Writing Marathon
Luke You, creator of cult anonymous zine YOU, invites you to the first ever YOU Letter... - Masterclass Series: Playwriting (Lally Katz)
Award-winning dramatist Lally Katz unpacks the contents of her head and shows you what keeps her ticking and what makes her go ‘bing!’... - Nanoworks - Make Your Own Magazine - Collation Station
See yourself in print! Bring your work to the collation station and... - Nanoworkshops: Everyone's a Critic- writing reviews
This workshop is an introduction to writing art and event reviews, helping with tone, argument, structure, and how to pitch ideas for... - Nanoworkshops: Express Editing
So, you say you want to be a writer/editor? We’ve got three words: present perfect continuous. Learn the basics of your own language PLUS... - Nanoworkshops: Less is more - writing the short story
The elusive lesser-spotted short story: where to find inspiration, which narrative devices to use, and how to end 'em. A range of writing... - Nanoworkshops: Online journalism
Independent youth media network Vibewire presents a workshop for online reporters. Staff will be on hand to look over work you’ve prepared,... - Nanoworkshops: Writing Poetry
Delve into the nitty-gritty of writing poetry - including line, rhythm, sound, image and form. Learn how to use these elements... - The Crack Cracked Cracking Laboratory: Table For Two (x2, x2, x2)
The band is ready. The tables are set. Only one thing is missing: you. Performers of every shape and odour descend upon Newcastle for a glittering... - The Crack Cracked Cracking Laboratory: Table For Two (x2, x2, x2)
The band is ready. The tables are set. Only one thing is missing: you. Performers of every shape and odour descend upon Newcastle for a glittering... - Web2Pod Project: How-to Workshop
Web2Pod is a new printing model which lets readers create high-quality, cheap, customised print-on-demand books and mags directly from your...
Performances
View all Performances
- And throw away the key
What does it feel like to actually lock someone up? Who should have the right? Using the techniques of revolutionary Brazilian theatre... - Cabaret Sauvignon
Independent. Sassy. Not afraid of lycra. Cab Sav presents the most innovative and entertaining performance makers from the Cab Sav Collective, and... - Friday Triple Bill
This triple treat triple bill is an all-sorts tasty sampler of three new works by three different collectives. From ping-pong emails to poached... - Mashquerade
A Masquerade Cabaret Ball to be relished with EYES WIDE OPEN. Get your freak on, frock up and rock out as we kick on from our 10th... - Matinee Open Mic
Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The... - Matinee Open Mic
Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The... - National Spoken Word Showcase
Spoken word scenestars converge and combust in a national showcase highlighting the brightest and the boldest of the Australian SW set. Features a... - Open Brunch Spoken Word Sessions
Kick that cute stranger out of your bed, dust off your notebooks and head to Civic ... - Opening Night Show Off
It has begun! TINA 08 kicks off in style as NYWF, Electrofringe, Critical Animals and Sound Summit present a rapid-fire taste of things to come.... - Opening Party Kick-on
After the Festival Club festivities have wound down, explore Newcastle's lush hidden late night gem The Supperclub. Join Deepchild LIVE... - Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain
PNATTMBTC is an experimental reworking of The Wizard of Oz as a solo dance work, refracted through the lens of the American ‘Hearts... - Raw
Amy Hill, JJ De Ceglie, Ben Dynan and Aaron Mannion bring new works to share and be shared by one and all. Come hear some new material and offer... - Songs of Rapture and Torture #1: Surabaya Johnny
Experience a sense of radical intimacy in this one-on-one endurance performance by Sarah-Jane Norman. Built around a classic Kurt Weill ballad and... - Table for two (x2, x2, x2)
The band is ready. The tables are set. Be seated for an intimate dinner for two, times two, times two, times two. Grab a table early for the... - The Anti-Social Social Club
The Anti-Social Social Club resides in the outside lawn at the Festival club. Grab a deck chair and kick back. Friday:... - This Is Not Art Official Gig Showcase I
Premier local & international acts from the best of the TiNA program showcased over two nights. Tix each nite $12 presale / $15 on the door /... - This Is Not Art Official Gig Showcase II
Premier local & international acts from the best of the TiNA program showcased over two nights. Tix each nite $12 presale / $15 on the door /... - Valerie The Palaeontologist
Valerie the Palaeontologist is a humorous collection of fragments, figments and obsessions exploring palaeontology, natural history... - You Have the Body
A durational performance exploring unlawful detention. The audience is invited to participate in a series of actions which culminate in an intense...
Readings
View all Readings
- Breakfast reading: coffee, croissants & poetry with Michael Farrell & Sam Langer
Michael Farrell, one of Australia's most interesting experimental poets, reads from his newly published collection, A Raiders Guide, joined by... - Matinee Open Mic
Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The... - Matinee Open Mic
Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The... - One Horse Town - Zine Launch
The Common Cold Poetry Collective saddles up a new collection of their most inspiring work from... - Reading Series: Short Fiction
How much bang can you fit into a short fiction buck? Size doesn’t matter in this big reading from smaller pieces. Listen in as emerging... - Readings Series: Novels
Curl up with your favourite author in this intimate session of readings. Hear extracts from work both old and new, straight from the mouth of... - Readings Series: Plays
Here we lift the lid on some brand new works written for the stage! Sit in as scripts are read and tested against a live audience to see how you... - Readings Series: Poetry
Rhythm with an attitude, poets in the mood ... If you love your poetry with guts and gusto, don't...
Special Events
View all Special Events
- 10th Anniversary Zine Anthology show & tell
Would the zinesters please stand up? Take a bow! We're celebrating a decade of zines at the festival, so bring copies of your favourite work from... - Comic Artist Rehabilitation Facility and Confessional
You don’t have to be a starlet to get sent to Rehab. Come resuscitate your inner comic artist at our roving facility.... - Creative Health Check 1
Tired? Chances are you're suffering from ‘Artistic Fatigue.’ Come to the NYWF doctor's surgery, check in with a professional and give... - Creative Health Check 2
Tired? Chances are you're suffering from ‘Artistic Fatigue.’ Come to the NYWF doctor's surgery, check in with a professional and give... - Creative Health Check 3
Tired? Chances are you're suffering from ‘Artistic Fatigue.’ Come to the NYWF doctor's surgery, check in with a professional and give... - Creative Health Check 4
Tired? Chances are you're suffering from ‘Artistic Fatigue.’ Come to the NYWF doctor's surgery, check in with a professional and give... - Creative Health Check 5
Tired? Chances are you're suffering from ‘Artistic Fatigue.’ Come to the NYWF doctor's surgery, check in with a professional and give... - Independent Press and Zine Fair
It's back, the biggest Sunday of the year for Australia's zinesters and independent publishers. Mingle with usual suspects and new faces, all... - Kattungkabaring Yoway! Biiyambi: Entry Into Country & Festival Opening
In honour & respect of Kattung Lands, Peoples & Protocol, all participants of the This Is Not Art festival are invited to participate in... - Nanoworks - Make Your Own Magazine - Introduction
See yourself in print! Join Voiceworks, Vibewire, Farrago and Youth Central to create an entire print & online magazine at the festival. It's... - NYWF 10th Birthday Party & Anthology Launch
That's right, double digits baby! NYWF turns 10 and to celebrate, we're launching our 10th Anniversary Anthology Herding Kites,... - One Hour Photo
Grab your camera and head to the streets, where an ocular adventure awaits you. Collect your instructions from the Tina Info Booth and prepare to... - Pop TINA08's Cherry Wiv Us
Welcome to This Is Not Art 08 - the official cutting the ribbon, cracking open the bubbly, popping the cherry type affair. BYO... - Street Spoken
Street Spoken is a spoken word tour of some of Newcastle's most fascinating hidden locations. Stop by the TiNA information Booth to... - Super Picnic
Enter Civic Park on Sunday for the world's longest picnic. Ok, there have been longer, but where else will you find sunshine, rugs, endless tea... - Teen Angst Time Capsule
We need you, your alienation, and your worst piece of writing - ever. Dig up an old journal, recycle a love-letter or pen something for the... - The Trickster's Bible
Track the Trickster through Newcastle's streets, following a public trail of private dirty laundry. With mudmap in hand, piece together the truth... - This Is Not Fashion
This is Not Fashion: a blog, a zine, a social commentary, a photo-montage, an experiment, an archive, and an excuse to take pictures of...
Roundtables
View all Roundtables
- Comics roundtable
You’re a religious follower of web-comics and paw graphic novels in bookstores. You even have a fair few ideas of your... - DIY, Non-Professionalism, Communities of Practice and the Glories of Subcultural Australia
What are the politics of cultural production and participation? We ponder the connection between artistic activity, community... - Intervention Nation
Guerrilla artists and media-makers unite to share tactics, stories of stage-fright and sticky run-ins with the law. Join the people who auctioned... - Maintaining Your Stereotype!
Got great work but no cred? We're not talking about your Arts degree (you're not actually going to use that, are you?). We discuss everything you... - Performance-makers show-and-tell
Whether you have a script to burn or a concept to peddle, come share your creative wares with a roomful of like-minded makers from across... - Poetry Love-In
Tune in and chill out with this all-time-favourite-poem share session. Bring your most coveted piece of verse to read and discuss with a circle of... - Sorry (and ...)
The Government has finally apologised to the Yoree (Aboriginal people) of Australia. What now? Are things getting better, or are we still... - Student Media Roundtable: Creating an SM bible / handbook
With budgets being cut and some publications either under threat or six feet under, we talk about ways to strengthen student media in Australia.... - Yoree Sovereignty Forum
This forum will provide a deep insight into the Yoree Sovereign movement growing throughout the continent. The forum will explore Natural law,...
Exhibitions
View all Exhibitions
- Dawn CUT
Two women rise at dawn to observe the secret life of two very different cities: Newcastle and New Delhi. Intimate moments are recorded in text,... - Get Lost! (with me)
Get Lost! (with me) is an interactive art adventure combining photography and storytelling in public and private spaces around the festival. Your... - M.E.A.T.
Hungry for some flesh? Starving for some some rich, juicy goodness? You've come to the right place! M.E.A.T. comprises... - The NYWF Comics Show II: BLACK, WHITE and ASSORTED SHADES OF GREY
In this multicolour landscape we often overlook good old black and white. Who better to re-introduce you to a greyscale universe than 30 comic...
Artist Presentations
View all Artist Presentations
Project Presentations
View all Project Presentations
Screenings
View all Screenings
- Not Quite Art 2 Preview Screening
Not Quite Art 2, the follow-up to last year's highly successful show, is a 3 part TV series written and presented by TiNA co-founder Marcus... - Wild Spaces
Al Gore's blockbuster documentary had a huge effect on changing public opinion about climate change, yet there are also independent... - Yoree Sovereignty Film
The film Yoree Sovereignty takes a look at the Natural Rights of Yoree Sovereigns. Three Yoree Sovereigns will giving a simple yet direct...