Participating / attending the festival
How much does the festival cost to attend?
All our core events are FREE. On rare occasions we have a one-off session with a ticket price; in these cases entry fees are charged to recoup production costs rather than for profit. We are committed to being as financially accessible as possible, and will not charge for events unless there is no other way to create them.
How does NYWF deal with safety and anti-discrimination? Is there a code of conduct and who do I contact if something’s not right?
We require all of our artists, attendees and crew members to follow our Code of Conduct. Breach of the Code of Conduct will result in action. Read the Code of Conduct.
When will the program be released? What are the festival dates?
Generally our annual program releases in August or September each year. Each year’s program is published on our website and often launched in a special event. The actual festival dates are the late September / early October NSW public holiday long weekend.
How do I participate in events?
We are committed to continuing and developing a hybrid model for NYWF, so that a digital program will exist alongside the usual festival which takes place across the October long weekend in Newcastle, NSW. Your best way to access online events is to create an account – this allows you to save your own festival schedule, RSVP for limited-capacity sessions, and comment on event broadcasts. More information about the Newcastle festival will be available when the program is launched. Here’s our guide to attending the festival, and accessibility information.
Where is your access information?
Each event’s page shows their own individual accessibility information. We also have a general guide to accessibility. If there’s something we’ve missed, please contact us!
Where are the festival’s events held?
The festival’s events are usually held across a number of different venues in Newcastle; these venues vary from year to year depending on their availability and suitability. Our digital program is usually hosted on our website and live-streamed/cross posted to YouTube.The festival program will clearly indicate where any given event will be held.
Does the NYWF have an age limit? How young is ‘young’?
The National Young Writers’ Festival focuses on creating opportunities for writers aged 18 to 35; however, artists and festival-goers of all ages are encouraged to get involved. Having some more experienced writers and industry folk on our panels and in our audiences is an invaluable part of the NYWF experience. If you are a writer between 13 and 17 years of age, get involved with our Younger Young Writers’ Program (filter for YYWP in the first filter menu to see only these events).
Applying as an artist
Applications for our next festival have no been announced. Watch this space and our socials for when we will be accepting new Artist applications! In the meantime, check out our last guide on applying to NYWF and/or our 2022 Artist Call Out Info Pack.
Who can apply to be a festival artist?
We welcome applications from writers across all forms and styles, aged 18 – 35, from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. You can apply as an individual, or as a collective / group. We also accept applications from folks beyond these parameters on a case by case basis – if you want to pitch your involvement, contact us.
What are you looking for in applications? What should I include?
Great applications tend to be thorough. We want to know who you are and what you do? What are your passions? What do you love to write and for whom? Who are your influences, what are your aspirations?
When it comes to your pitches for events, we favour people with a specific vision. It is good to hear that you want to pitch an event about horror fiction, but it’s great to hear that you want to pitch a panel discussion about the gothic horror tradition in Australian literature, where it succeeds, and the extent to which it misappropriates Indigenous storytelling.
We may not necessarily program every event pitch we love, but it’s also a window into how you think and the sorts of topics on which you might be well equipped to speak.
Do I have to come to Newcastle to be part of the festival?
No, you can take part from the comfort of your own couch via our digital events!
How long does it take to complete the application?
The application form usually takes around 20 minutes, you can update and save as you go if you need extra time.
What can I write about?
We want to hear your ideas, so whatever you are passionate about! Send us your ideas!
Does it have to be poetry?
It can be anything you want! We’re searching for the usual and unusual suspects. Maybe you’re writing a novel; maybe you write the specials in ALDI catalogues; we don’t mind. Whether you’re a journalist, novelist, poet, podcaster, blogger, content maker, lyricist, comedian or anything in between, it’s time to flex those application-writing muscles!
Can I apply with another person?
Absolutely! Just make a note in both of your applications so we know.
Background on NYWF
How long has NYWF been running?
NYWF was founded in 1998.
Who runs the festival?
The day-to-day operations of the festival are run by NYWF’s team of staff (who largely work as volunteers); supervised and assisted by the festival’s board.
How can I get involved?
We have a strong team of volunteers who keep the festival running each year.
Our core team of directors, producers and other arts geniuses is regularly changing – we have limited-time stints so that the opportunity to work on NYWF is spread widely.
We partner and work with other organisations in the arts, media, education, and more! Would you like to support us or collaborate with us?
Contact us to find out more about volunteering, becoming a team member, or partnering with us.
What is Octapod and This is Not Art (TiNA)? How does NYWF fit in?
Since its creation in 1998, NYWF has partnered with Octapod, a Newcastle-based leading regional arts and cultural development organisation, to present the festival as part of This is Not Art (TiNA). This is Not Art is an experimental environment where artists can test and exchange ideas that belong outside of institutions. It usually comprises three sub-festivals: Crack Theatre Festival, Critical Animals and the National Young Writers’ Festival, and in the past has included special guest events from Electrofringe and City Evolutions. In 2021 we began presenting NYWF as a solo festival seperate from TiNA.
I still have a question, who can I contact?
You can email us at info@youngwritersfestival.org or contact us via our Instagram, Twitter or Facebook page.