Join in Poetry in the Caves for a truly unique and memorable afternoon of words and music in the beautiful Jenolan Caves on Sun 19 May.

Poet and novelist, David Brooks hosts this magical event inside Jenolan's magnificent Cathedral Chamber. Performers include one of Ireland's finest poets, Dermot Healy, in the company of renowned Australian poet Bronwyn Lea, acclaimed Indigenous poet, Lionel Fogarty, and award winning singer-songwriter and poet, Kate Fagan. The afternoon begins with music from Kate Fagan and includes a special guest appearance from American poet Devin Johnston. The performance will be followed by wine and refreshment in Caves House. Those travelling by bus will be entertained on the journey by local poets Philip Hammial and Sandy Holmes.

Dermot Healy, a giant of contemporary Irish poetry, brings to his work a vast sea of influences, ranging from Robert Louis Stephenson to Sylvia Plath. He has written five anthologies of poetry and his awards include the Hennessy Award (1974 and 1976); the Tom Gallon Award (1983); the Encore Award (1995). He was the winner of the 2002 America Ireland Literary Award, in recognition of his contribution to Irish letters.

Kate Fagan (photo to right), award winning songwriter, poet and lecturer in literature at UWS, will read from her newest volume of poetry First Light, and will begin the afternoon by playing for the audience as they enter the cavernous space. Bronwyn Lea is an award-winning author. Her books include Flight Animals, The Other Way Out, and The Deep North. Her poems have been widely anthologised, appearing most recently in Thirty Australian Poets, Australian Poetry Since 1788, Sixty Classic Australian Poems, and The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry. In 2011 she was appointed the inaugural editor of the Australian Poetry Journal.

Lionel Fogarty, a Murri Man from Cherbourg in Queensland is an unashamedly political poet, motivated both by personal experiences – his brother died in police custody – and general injustices suffered by Indigenous people. His innovative way of using Aboriginal English has led to his work being described as surrealist, but it remains undoubtedly challenging and dynamic.

Devin Johnston from the US, will make a guest appearance. Fellow poet Forrest Gander described Devin, "While his lexicon is rich and particular, Johnston's line is severe, unadorned and keenly cut to measure out the subtle counterpointed music which so strongly marks these poems."

When: Sunday 19 May 3:30-5:30pm Audience need to assemble at the Great Arch at 3:00pm to walk into the Cathedral Chamber. The performance runs from 3:30 -4:30pm. Drinks and book signing in Caves House from 5:00-5:30pm. Cost: $60 event only / $75 including coach transport from Katoomba station return – places limited (no concession). Bookings: through Jenolan Caves ph. 1300 763 311.

Full Program information and Booking details: www.varuna.com.au

Guess who's coming to Orange? Bestselling author Rachael Treasure knows Orange well because she studied at CSU (then Orange Agricultural College). Rachael is about to release her seventh book The Farmer's Wife – a sequel to her first bestseller Jillaroo, which has become an iconic work of rural romance fiction. Rachael currently lives in southern rural Tasmania with her two young children, Rosie and Charlie. Rachael is passionate about encouraging non-readers to read, inspiring farmers to consider regenerative agricultural practices and animal handlers to better understand their dogs and livestock. Meet Rachael at Orange City Library, 147 Byng Street, Orange on Friday 19th April at 5.30pm. Please let us know you are coming along by calling the Library on 6393 8132. ?Treasure writes with true grit, wit and warmth? Australian Women?s Weekly. The event is supported by Collins Booksellers, Orange. See you there!

Discover the extraordinary true story of Ned Kelly's mother, a woman whose life journey is told with sympathy, compassion and above all honesty. Author Noelene Allen will be at Orange City Library on Wednesday 27th March at 5.30pm to talk about the Kelly family. The book includes more than 40 photographs, some never seen outside the Kelly family before. The story of Ellen Kelly's life is a remarkable one. The love of Ellen's life is taken from her at an early age, she is faced with bringing up her children on her own. She will do anything for her children including spending time in gaol for protecting her teenage daughter Kate from the unwanted advances of a police officer. The strength of the women in the Kelly family becomes clear as the author shares many previously untold anecdotes about the mother of Australia's most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly.

Author talk with Noelene Allen Ellen: A Woman of Spirit, Wednesday 27th March, 5.30pm, Orange City Library, 147 Byng Street, Orange. Please RSVP to the Library on 6393 8132

For anyone who has even lost their job, been downsized or simply wants to change their life, meet the author of an inspiring true-life story, The Diaries of a Corporate Princess, Hacy Tobias when she speaks at Orange City Library on Monday 25 March at 5.30pm. After 33 years in the corporate world and as a global general manager, author Hacy Tobias suddenly finds herself without a job at age 52. Written with a raw honesty and Bridget Jones wit, Hacy details the transition from a high-flying executive and corporate princess to becoming her own boss and eventual small business princess.

Making the difficult switch from a corporation of thousands to an organisation of one, Hacy comes to terms with the loss of her corporate identity and begins a new journey, learning the skills required to start her own business. True to life, Hacy experiences two steps forward and one step back while recounting her story with wit and humour. The Diaries of a Corporate Princess has the reader laughing one moment and reaching for a tissue the next, as Hacy plans a new future. The event is supported by the Hardback Cafe, Orange.

Hacy's book has been described as "brillant, timely and universal".

Author talk with Hacy Tobias Diaries of a Corporate Princess Monday 25 March 5.30pm - 7pm Orange City Library, 147 Byng Street, Orange Please RSVP to the Library on 6393 8132 Supported by the Hardback Cafe, Orange

The sport of Reading: Congratulations to all the teams who took part in today's Kids Lit Quiz Orange Heat held at Kinross Wolaroi School. According to Quizmaster Wayne Mills it was one of THE MOST CLOSELY fought contests he has ever seen!! With "sudden death" rounds required to separate the final top four. The winners are: Macarthur Anglican School (Camden), Orange Public School, Catherine Macauley School Orange,and Eglinton School Bathurst.

The Kids' Lit Quiz is annual literature competition for children aged 10 to 13. It puts readers onto the stage and lets them compete for fantastic prizes. Topics at today's heat related to all things literary including felines, little people, dragons, books and films, food and characters. The Guest Stars team of local authors Charlotte Calder and Jeffery Doherty, Cowra Librarian Caroline Eisenhauer and former Librarian Jenny Medd were exteremely competitive and ousted the school children to win (they don't get to go to the final though to be held in Canberra on Friday 22 Feb). For more details about this great event go to www.kidslitquiz.com

Mandurama local Bruce Green is launching his self-published title Account Reyner at Mandurama General Store on Saturday 15 December at 11am. It traces the life of Bert Reyner and is a project Bruce has been "tinkering with" for more than 20 years. The book will also be sold in local bookstores. Congratulations Bruce!

The stars and planets are at the heart of a novel that writer Melanie Joosten will work on during a month-long residency in Orange. Melanie has arrived in Orange and will be guest speaker at Orange City Library on Wednesday 5th December at 5.30pm. Come along to hear about her latest writing project.

Melanie will also present a Writing Good Fiction Workshop on Saturday 8th December from 10.30am – 12.30pm. This workshop will cover the basics of creative writing by asking participants to interrogate the elements of good fiction. How do you create memorable characters? How do you find your writing voice? How do you create narrative tension? How can setting convey emotion? What do you do with a piece of writing that's just not working? What use is an unreliable narrator? How do you find something to write about? How can reading help you write? Please call the Library on 6393 8132 to book your place at these events. Writing Australia, a consortium of the state and territory writers' centres, has developed this new regional residency scheme, titled 'Places', to support the writing of new Australian works.

Come along to hear author Anita Heiss speak about books, reading and writing at Cowra Multipurpose Room, next door to Cowra Library, Darling Street, Cowra on Tuesday 13 November at 5.30pm. This is a free event but please book your place by calling the Library on 6340 2180.

Anita Heiss, successful author and passionate campaigner for Aboriginal literacy, was born a member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, but was raised in the suburbs of Sydney and educated at the local Catholic school.

Dr. Anita Heiss is the author of non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women's fiction, children's fiction, social commentary and travel articles. She is a regular guest at writers' festivals and travels internationally performing her work and lecturing on Aboriginal literature. She is an Indigenous Literacy Day Ambassador and a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales. Anita divides her time between writing, public speaking, MCing, and as a workshop facilitator.

Fellowship of Australian Writers Workshop Life Writing: Memoir The Short Story: Character-Driven versus Plot-Driven Story Bathurst Library Monday 29th October 5.30pm – 7.30pm Ph: 6333 6281

Life Writing: Memoir West Room, next door to Orange City Library 147 Byng Street, Orange Tuesday 30 October 10.30am – 12.30pm Bookings essential ph: 6393 8132

Memoir is memory and within a family group, siblings' memories can differ in regard to the same event. So I emphasise that workshop participants have their own memory that they use (which could differ from their sister's). I assist them to draw out long forgotten memories with various techniques. Results from the workshops have all been positive and writers can learn grammar and punctuation along the way. Learning to write can only be done by writing so they should bring writing materials to use in the workshop. There will also be discussion about the Fellowship and why it is so helpful to belong to such a long standing organisation which began in 1928 and continues still today. There are many Australian writers who have become household names, who came through the FAW. Henry Lawson and Miles Franklin are just two who come to mind.

The Short Story: Character-Driven versus Plot-Driven Story Dubbo Library Wednesday 31st October 5.30pm – 7.30pm Ph: 6801 4510

FAW Meeting and Luncheon Saturday 3rd November Mudgee CWA Hall Workshop participants invited to lunch after the FAW State Council Meeting. Ph: 6378 2740 Bookings essential for the lunch.

Meet writer /producer Mari Lourey, cast and crew, before the compelling multi-dimensional performance of Bare Witness. This play is inspired by real people and real life events exploring the personal toll on foreign correspondents and photographers. Discover the dilemmas war photographers face, the choices they make and the impact this dangerous profession has on them personally. Join us for a conversation with the playwright, performers and production team of this innovative gripping exhilarating theatre.

Event: Behind the Scenes: Bare Witness Date: Thursday 27 September Time: 5.45 for 6pm Venue: Orange Civic Theatre RSVP: Theatre on 6393 8112

Don't miss this unique event.