7 June 2019
TAF2019 Media Release #2
MURDER SHE WROTE
31 Oct to 5 Nov 2019
A NEW TASMANIAN WRITERS FESTIVAL INSPIRED BY AGATHA CHRISTIE
Incredibly beautiful Hobart, with its deep blue sea and harbour, and its flowers, trees and shrubs. I planned to come back and live there one day. - Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie and other women writers from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction inspired the new festival
In honour of the Queen of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction - and her many sisters - we’re proud to announce the Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival (TAF2019), Tasmania’s newest biennial literary festival, 31 October to 5 November 2019.
Join us in the stunning Huon Valley, just outside Hobart, for Murder She Wrote, a four day book spree of deadly Masterclasses, grave Workshops and incisive literary discussions.
Featuring Tara Moss, Kerry Greenwood and Shamini Flint, we have a panellist line-up to die for, free community activities and fabulous literacy celebrations. There are even opportunities to Pitch to a Publisher.
Continuing the women in crime theme, our three competitions – a new category in the national Scarlett Stiletto Short Story Competition, a children’s writing competition and an art competition – all feature female bushrangers.
A two day après-fest, The Trail of Writers’ Tears on 4 and 5 November 2019, will afford festival goers a chance to stay and immerse themselves in the best the region has to offer. The Trail includes events with First Dog on the Moon and Matthew Evans, the Gourmet Farmer.
What a writer’s and reader’s delight it will be to celebrate great authors and chilling reads in one of my favourite parts of the world. Tasmania - the people, the food, the coffee, the hospitality - and good crime novels are a delicious fit. I would kill to be at the Terror Australis Festival, but thankfully I was invited so I won’t need to. - Tara Moss
Tara Moss, author of the Mak Vanderwall PI series, is headlining at Murder She Wrote © Myles Pritchard
FULL PANELLIST LINE-UP ANNOUNCED
The full Murder She Wrote list of accomplices has been revealed:
- International Guest of Honour, Shamini Flint, author of the Inspector Singh Mysteries
- Prime Suspect, Tara Moss, author of the Mak Vanderwall PI series
- Mistress of Mystery, Kerry Greenwood, creator of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
- Dr Angela Savage, Director Writers Victoria and author of the Jane Keeney PI series
- Dr Angela Meyer, Head Publisher Bonnier Australia and author of A Superior Spectre
- Dr L.J.M. Owen, Festival Director and author of the Dr Pimms series
- Lindy Cameron, President Sisters in Crime Australia and author
- Meg Keneally, author of the Monsarrat series
- Jack Heath, award-winning author of Hangman
- Dr Joanna Baker, author of The Slipping Place
- Dr Tansy Rayner Roberts, alias Livia Day, author of the Tabitha Darling series, and
- David Owen, author of the Pufferfish series.
The virtual line-up includes Sulari Gentill, Emma Viskic, Robert Gott and Jock Serong who will be On the Run in USA at the time, becoming TAF2019’s Fugitive Correspondents from Bouchercon, the world mystery convention.
It seems to me only right that a place as rich in creative people and natural inspiration as Tasmania should have such a unique and innovative writers festival and I’m absolutely delighted to be included amongst its very illustrious guests. - Sulari Gentill
Kerry Greenwood, creator of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, will headline at Murder She Wrote
REGISTER FOR A GOLDEN TICKET AND A CHANCE TO APPLY FOR A READER RESIDENCY
TAF2019 will shortly open a register for people interested in purchasing pre-sale Golden Tickets. This opportunity will only be open to those who have signed-up to the festival newsletter TAF2019 Updates on this website (see the bottom of the Home page).
A Golden Ticket is a weekend pass plus, offering the holder all manner of literary enjoyment from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 November 2019. It includes:
- entry to Friday night’s Noir at the Bar,
- all 12 Murder She Wrote panel sessions on Saturday and Sunday,
- morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on Saturday and morning tea and lunch on Sunday,
- a book,
- a 2 year subscription to StoryStylus, and
- the opportunity to apply for a 7-night TAF2019 Adult Writer or Reader Residency.
The first 80 Golden Tickets only also include a seat at Saturday night’s Murder Mystery Party (including the game and a fabulous buffet dinner).
Cost: $499, incl. GST
The first 80 Golden Tickets sold include a seat at the Curse of the Sphinx Murder Mystery Party.
CALL FOR AUTHORS TO JOIN THE HALL OR WRITERS
On Friday 1 November the Hall of Writers will fill Cygnet Town Hall with a bookroom of authors and publishers - including an Alley of Children’s Books - open to schools and the public to visit, chat to the authors and purchase any books they fall in love with.
The Hall will welcome a wide range of authors and publishers, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, YA and poetry.
TAF2019 has put the call out for authors and publishers to join the Hall. Applications are open until Thursday 20 June 2019.
On Friday 1 November the Cygnet Town Hall will transform into the Hall of Writers filled with books, authors and publishers.
FUNDRAISING IN MOONLIT GRAVEYARDS
TAF2019 recently met a fundraising goal of $10,000 through a series of word-loving and story focused events, including a high tea, a books and wine soiree, an extended cider tasting and moonlit graveyard tours.
This was matched with another $10,000 by MATCH Lab from Creative Partnerships Australia, allowing the TAF2019 team to deliver a free community program including the Children’s Program featuring ten local authors, a children’s writing competition and a Halloween party.
- Presenting children’s authors include Carol Ann Martin, Ruth Rutherford, Judi Rhodes and Tanya McQueen, Sonia Strong, Margie Kirk, Lindsey Little, Lian Tanner, Anne Morgan and Kate Gordon.
The festival also recently landed a $10,000 Artsbridge Grant from Arts Tasmania to help subsidise the cost of bringing their wonderful line up of guests to the state.
Corporate and other sponsors and partners are being sought to join the festival’s existing partners, including Kate Hill Wines, Pagan Cider and Frank’s Cider.
Books, wine and supporting literacy - what could be better?
MEDIA PACK AND ENQUIRIES
A media pack providing further information on the festival’s panellists, authors, sponsorship opportunities, governance and approved quotes and photos is available on request.
Interviews may also be arranged through Felicity at: enquiries@terroraustralisfestival.com
Dr. L.J.M. Owen, Festival Director
7 June 2019