The Big Sky Readers & Writers Festival returns to Geraldton next month and the program should excite lovers of reading, art, photography, poetry, humour and storytelling.

The 20 to 22 May Festival is headlined by much-loved Aussie actor and now author Steve Bisley, who will provide the keynote address based on his memoir Stillways, feature in an intimate three-course dinner at Salt Dish Café, a Literary Lunch amongst the olive trees of Bentwood Olive Grove, and a Q&A with other featured authors with the lively subject: Australia is a lucky country, run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck (with credit to Donald Horne).

The Big Sky Readers & Writers Festival, now in its 11th year, will comprise more than 22 events over three days with additional highlights including Poetry in the Pub at the Bootenal Family Tavern (with a free shuttle bus from the Library), and The Great Debate at Geraldton Universities Centre.

There will be captivating discussions, debates, masterclasses and presentations on a range of styles and genres, with something to excite the literature lover in everyone, providing the opportunity for guest to get up close and personal with writers throughout the weekend.

Other visiting talent includes:

Australian Illustrator Kyle Hughes-Odgers
Award-winning novelist Rod Jones
Photographer Daniel Craig
Rural romance writer Loretta Hill
Non fiction writers Grantlee Kieza and Rosemary Sayer
Short story writer Susan Midalia
Poet and musician Kevin Gillim
Young adult writer Lara Morgan

There are many events free to attend, and ticketed events are priced from $42 to $100.

To find out more about the Big Sky Readers & Writers Festival please visit: http://library.cgg.wa.gov.au/big-sky-2016.aspx. A full program will be available online shortly.

To reserve tickets phone (08) 9956 6659 or email library@cgg.wa.gov.au.

The Festival is made possible thanks to support from City of Greater Geraldton, Lotterywest, writingWA, Friends of the Geraldton Library, Geraldton Universities Centre, Ray White Geraldton, Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects, Incite Security, Coop Bookshop Edith Cowan University Mt Lawley, Zeewyk Pearl Apartments, Ocean Centre Hotel, Water Corporation, Department of Fisheries and WA Museum Geraldton.

The Festival is supported by the Department of Culture and the Arts.