Southern Highlands Writers Festival, interview with Artistic Director Michaela Bolzan

Southern Highlands Writers Festival, interview with Artistic Director Michaela Bolzan

For the first time on Yellow Shelf, we're shining a spotlight on a literary festival rather than a single #book or #author . In this very special episode, we chat with the fabulous Michaela Bolzan, Artistic Director of the Southern Highlands Writers Festival, about the festival, and what it takes to bring one of Australia's most inspiring regional literary festivals to life. Michaela shares the history and vision behind the festival, how the program is curated, and why bringing readers, writers, and big ideas together matters now more than ever.  We also explore what attendees can expect, the joy of discovering new voices, and the unique role literary festivals play in fostering connection, creativity, conversation, and community. Whether you're an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about Australia's vibrant literary scene, this conversation offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the people and passion that make a writers' festival unforgettable. The 2026 Southern Highlands Writers Festival will be held from 23rd to 26th July. To learn more about the SHWF 2026 .... https://www.shwf.com.au/ https://www.shwf.com.au/program https://www.instagram.com/shwf.official/ https://www.facebook.com/SouthernHighlandsWritersFestival

The Quick-Start Guide to Your First Property #author Rachelle Kroon

The Quick-Start Guide to Your First Property: Pick Up Your Keys Simpler, Smarter and Sooner You’ve done everything right  ...got a job, cut back on spending, saved consistently  ....and yet property prices keep pulling further away.  Like millions of other young Australians, you feel locked out, watching the dream slip away despite your best efforts. Let’s get real: saving a 20% deposit isn’t practical in today’s market.  You need better strategies.  That’s where The Quick-Start Guide to Your First Property comes in. In this essential playbook, personal finance expert Glen James and top mortgage broker Rachelle Kroon share the hacks that are actually getting first-time buyers into the market right now.  Full of practical tips and none of the fluff, this book shows readers that buying property is still possible, even in today’s ultracompetitive climate. The market has changed. Your strategy for getting started needs to change with it. How are you going to get started quick? To connect with Rachelle ..... https://www.instagram.com/rachellekroon_money/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelle-kroon https://www.spherehomeloans.com.au/resources https://www.spherehomeloans.com.au/rachelle-kroon

Sleep First #author Dr Jemma King

Sleep First: Sleep Smarter, Think Sharper, Feel Better Sleep shapes everything: how you feel, think, perform and live.  Yet most of us treat it as an afterthought, something we'll get to after everything else is handled. The reality? Nothing works properly without sleep. Not your focus. Not your mood. Not your health. Not your relationships. In Sleep First, Dr Jemma King, expert researcher in human behaviour and sleep science, reveals what's really going on when your head hits the pillow ― and why optimising those hours changes everything that follows. You'll learn why your brain needs to clean itself every night, why you keep waking at 3am, how your coffee changes your neurochemistry and why your phone is sabotaging your rest. Most importantly, you'll build your Sleep First Formula: a personalised strategy based on your own daily habits, challenges and goals. Whether you want to perform at your peak or just feel better every day, this book is your guide to making sleep work for you. Good sleep changes everything. Sleep First will help you get it. To connect with Jemma .... www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jemma-king-phd-76013328/ https://www.instagram.com/dr.jemma.king/ Website: jemmakingbio-pa.com.au

Rite of Spring #author Kris Kneen

'And here you are. You, who might feel the itch of an uncomfortable identity hanging heavy on your shoulders like a hair shirt. It is you I sing to. You who are tempted by the possibility of something more.' In the hope of salvaging their relationship, Miranda and Richard become caretakers of a remote island lighthouse off the coast of Tasmania. Richard wants to shake up the malaise that had him falling into an affair, Miranda wants to understand what has changed and to recover from a diving accident that almost took her life. Both are excited about the renewal and adventure that the mysterious lighthouse promises. But what begins as a reuniting, quickly turns for Miranda in to an untamed journey back to the ocean that swirls at the core of her being. Few write so vividly about bodily intimacy and spirit as Kneen. Rite of Spring beautifully fuses place, psychological drama, the primordial nature of the ocean and the personal search for a centre. It is a mind-blowing novel about a woman on the cusp of menopause that transcends our expectations about who and what we can be. Author Kris Kneen is a f fiction, poetry, and non-fiction writer whose work is praised for its fearless honesty and lyrical, transgressive style. Their books include the Stella Prize–shortlisted An Uncertain Grace, the Thomas Shapcott Prize–winning poetry collection Eating My Grandmother, and memoirs such as Affection, The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen, and Fat Girl Dancing. Kneen’s writing spans erotica, literary fiction, and deeply personal memoir. To connect with Kris .... https://www.krissykneen.com/about https://www.facebook.com/krissykneenauthor

Easy Peasy #author Ky Garvey

A fun, engaging story, perfect for children learning how to do something for the first time. Easy Peasy follows Ruby, who has just received her first pair of roller skates as a present from her dad. She’s convinced it will be easy peasy to learn how to roller skate and dismisses her dad when he offers to help her. But after a few tumbles, Ruby realizes it isn’t as easy as she thinks and she might need her dad’s help after all. Author Ky Garvey was initially inspired by her son, who as a little boy loved his skateboard so much that he took it to bed with him every night like a teddy bear. But as she began to write, she remembered the joy of roller skating with her dad at the local rink every Saturday morning. As Ky puts it, ‘It was treasured time together and I wanted to reflect that relationship in my book.’ Easy Peasy will delight skating-mad girls and patient parents while providing a lesson in independence and perseverance. And the hilarious, relatable illustrations by Amy Calautti add an extra dash of shiny, sparkly fun! Perfect for ages 4+ To connect with Ky .... https://www.kygarvey.com/ https://www.kygarvey.com/totally-lit-podcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ky-garvey-0584a346/ https://www.instagram.com/kygarvey_authorandpodcaster/