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Peter FitzSimons
The former Wallaby has become one of the nation’s most successful media and publishing gurus and corporate presenter. Currently a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald as well as a presenter on Nine’s Sports Sunday.
In 2001 he was Australia’s biggest selling non-fiction author, and duplicated that feat in 2004, with his book on Kokoda.
He has been Australia’s best-selling non-fiction author in the last decade and in November 2013 released his current best-seller on Ned Kelly.
The most popular after-dinner speaker in Australia, he is married to Lisa Wilkinson and they have three children.
The Legend of Albert Jacka is an unforgettable story of the bravery and sacrifice of one extraordinary soldier that takes us from the shores of Gallipoli to the battlefields of France, all brought to vivid life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons.
Chris Hammer
Chris Hammer is a leading Australian crime fiction novelist, author of the internationally bestselling Martin Scarsden series: Scrublands, Silver and
Trust. Scrublands was an instant bestseller upon publication in 2018, topping the Australian fiction charts.
It was shortlisted for major writing awards in Australia, the UK and the United States. In the UK it was named the Sunday Times Crime Novel of the Year 2019 and won the prestigious UK Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey New Blood Dagger Award.
Chris’s books are well known for their atmospheric Australian settings, a range of colourful characters, intricate plots, descriptive language and emotional depth.​
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'The River’ a non fiction account of the Murray Darling Basin, plus his latest fiction ‘Legacy’ to be released on the 30th September 2025, will be discussed at the festival.
Courtney Collins
Courtney Collins is an author, screenwriter, and producer.
Her first novel, The Burial (Allen & Unwin, 2012), was published in ten countries and shortlisted for prizes including the Nita B Kibble Literary Award, NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and the Stella Prize. The novel is currently being adapted as a feature film.
Her second novel, Bird, was published in August 2024 by Hachette.
She is the screenwriter of the upcoming feature film Life Could Be a Dream, directed by Jasmin Tarasin. She is currently at work on her third novel and a slate of screen projects.
Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the number one bestselling author of Dark Mode, which was shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, the Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction, and the Danger Award for Debut Fiction.
Her latest thrillers are Cold Truth and Like, Follow, Die.
Joe Matera
Joe Matera is an Italian-Australian singer/songwriter, guitarist, recording artist, music journalist and author.
Over the course of his illustrious performing career, he has played guitar for famed British music legend Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel fame), performed on the festival stages in Europe and earned a Top 20 hit on Radio Berlin in Germany.
As an author, he has written two non-fiction books, 'Backstage Pass: The Grit and The Glamour' (2021) and ‘Louder Than Words: Beyond The Backstage Pass’, both published by UK publishing house, Empire Publications.
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Peter Norris
In this compelling memoir, Peter exposes the truth of his turbulent upbringing. As the youngest son of Clarence “Clarry” Norris, a notorious bank robber, Peter recounts the powerful love and loyalty that bound him to his father, creating a profound inner struggle between the allure of the underworld and the desire for normalcy.
Faced with a heart-wrenching decision at just 12 years old, Peter had to choose between following his father’s criminal path or seizing a lifeline.
The memoir moves from the underbelly of 1970s Sydney to the outskirts of Melbourne, highlighting a troubling chapter in Australian history when Peter and other innocent children were sent to abusive institutions.
Ultimately, Peter rises from the ruins of his troubled past, embarking on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and growth. He defies the odds to become a successful CEO, world-class athlete, and motivational speaker.
Ruth Pollock
Meet local author Ruth Pollock and author of the fictional novel 'Clouds and Sunshine', the story of two daredevils with dreams of the future.
Her new book 'Hard Women' is a biography on Ruth's three generations of family members, offering a journey through time.
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