NSW Premier's Reading Challenge 2023 author interviews

International bestselling author A. F. (Annabel) Steadman talks to Zareen from Epping Public School about her writing process and the inspiration behind the dark, sinister unicorns in the Skandar and the Unicorn Thief series. Join them to find out about A. F. Steadman’s favourite books, her writing process, and her advice for budding writers. Thank you to the 2023 Sydney Writers’ Festival Primary Schools Day for hosting us backstage.

Suitable for primary students.

Jordon Gould and Richard Pritchard are the creators of the 'Wylah the Koorie Warrior' series. They were joined backstage at the 2023 Sydney Writer’s Festival Primary Schools Day by Nivaan from Epping Public School to talk about their engaging new series. Join them as they discuss the inspiration for Wylah, including Jordon’s Samoan heritage, Richard’s personal inspirations for writing as an autistic Peek Whurrong man, the Dreaming, Diprotodons (giant wombats) and the unusual fighting styles of wombats!

Suitable for primary students.

Join Barnaby from Epping Public School as he interviews Marayam Masters backstage at the 2023 Sydney Writer’s Festival Primary Schools Day. Marayam chats about when she realised she wanted to become a writer despite studying economics at university, how working in television shapes how she writes, and how her experience as an Iranian refugee has informed her stories.

Suitable for primary students.

Amy from Epping Public School Interviews Australian scientist and author Cristy Burne. How often does Cristy blow things up? What Australian scientist does Cristy admire the most? What should you do if you get a slug on your eye? Join Amy and Cristy backstage at the 2023 Sydney Writers’ Festival Primary Schools Day to find out!

Suitable for primary students.

Author, Illustrator, and self-professed daggy dad Adrian Beck joins Yankai from Epping Public School backstage at the 2023 Sydney Writers’ Festival Secondary Schools Day to chat about what inspired him to become an author. Join them as they discuss Adrian’s very own embarrassing disco escapade that inspired the character of Derik Doole, and why he chooses to write for kids rather than boring adults!

Suitable for primary students.

Reena from North Sydney Girls High School chats backstage with Jeremy Lachlan at the 2023 Sydney Writer’s Festival Secondary Schools Day. Jeremy shares his initial dreams of starring in a Star Wars movie, how he deals with writer’s block, how grief and loss subconsciously informed his writing, and how getting lost in the Cairo Museum led to the creation of the Jane Do Chronicles.

Suitable for secondary students.

How does an author manage to successfully write across several genres? What is the research process like for writing a book? Lili Wilkinson shares these answers and more with Arisha from North Sydney Girls High School backstage at the 2023 Sydney Writer’s Festival Secondary Schools Day. Lili shares her life-long passion for writing and how being a reader and attending events like the Sydney Writer’s Festival inspired her to become an author.

Suitable for secondary students.

Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds and Alex from North Sydney Girls High School for a deep, insightful conversation about Jason’s writing process, including why Jason didn’t read his first book until he was 17 years old and how this has influenced his writing as an author.  Alex and Jason chat about the development of his literary voice, his shifts away from traditional prose, the difficulties of writing during Covid lockdowns, and shares advice with young writers. Thank you to the 2023 Sydney Writer’s Festival Secondary Schools Day for hosting us backstage!

Suitable for secondary students.

Join Nidhi from North Sydney Girls High School as she interviews Jane Godwin backstage at the 2023 Sydney Writers’ Festival Secondary Schools Day. Jane shares how she switches between writing for children and young adults, the works that inspired her as a young reader, and some ways writers can create tension in their writing.

Suitable for secondary students.

Lauren Draper joins Anaya from North Sydney Girls High School backstage at the 2023 Sydney Writers’ Festival Secondary Schools Day to talk about her love of reading and storytelling. Lauren shares how personal grief and the stories she read at that time inspired her to write. She also reveals how she inserts pieces of her friends, family, and herself into her writing to create authentic characters and relationships.

Suitable for secondary students.