Frequently Asked Questions

School Author Sessions

  • The Inspired Readers Festival School Author Sessions is a three-day event to connect primary school children in regional areas with prominent Australian authors through engaging Author Sessions and activities at the Book End Party. The festival aims to foster a love of reading and enhance access to literature, especially for children in regional areas.

    School Author Session presentations are the same each day. To avoid duplication, students only need to purchase tickets for one day.

  • The festival will be held on Tuesday, 11th - Thursday, 13th November 2025, at Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie.

    School Author Session presentations are the same each day. To avoid duplication, students only need to purchase tickets for one day.

    Click here to download a map of the event entrance.

  • The event will be held at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie, commencing at 10:00 AM. We’ve scheduled the start time to allow ample travel time for schools coming from further afield.

    Please find the event schedule below to assist with your planning:

    10:00 AM – 10:40 AM | Welcome and Session 1

    10:50 AM – 11:30 AM | Session 2

    11:30 AM – 11:50 AM | Recess

    11:50 AM – 12:30 PM | Session 3

    12:40 PM – 1:10 PM | Session 4

    1:10 PM – 2:30 PM | Book End Party (Author signings, book store, and outdoor Session 5)


    Schools are welcome to depart at any point during the Book End Party to ensure timely return.

  • The School Author Sessions are exclusively for primary school students and schools.

  • School Author Sessions are tailored for Years 3-6.

    You're still welcome to bring younger year levels, but we leave it to your discretion based on whether the students can engage with the session's content.

  • Tickets and Book Coupons are now available on our website. Please note that tickets must be pre-booked and will not be available for purchase at the venue.

    Ticket availability is limited and subject to change.

  • Book coupons are available for a flat rate of $15 and must be purchased online prior to the event. Each coupon can be redeemed on the day of the festival for any book of the student’s choice and includes a complimentary tote bag.

    Students are encouraged to bring their selected books to the event for author signings.

    Please note: Without a pre-purchased coupon, books will be $15 each and tote bags $10 on the day. Pre-booking offers a $10 saving.

    Cash and EFTPOS will be available for on-the-day purchases of books and tote bags

  • We recommend students to bring:

    • BOTH Recess and Lunch (there is nowhere available to purchase food on site)

    • Water bottle (there will be a water bubblier to refill bottles)

    • Hat

    • Cash or EFTPOS card to purchase books and tote bags.

    Please note Book Coupons are available to purchase online pre event. Each coupon can be redeemed on the day of the festival for any book of the student’s choice and includes a complimentary tote bag.

back to inspired readers festival page