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.

The School Author Sessions runs from 10:00am to 2:30pm, featuring four authors sessions and a Book End Party with activities including book sales, author meet and greets, yard games, face painting, and music.

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.

The Dinner with the Authors will take place in Port Macquarie on Thursday 13 November 2025.

The Fundraising Dinner starts at 6:30pm

The evening will feature a Q&A Panel with some of Australia's best children's authors. You'll enjoy a delicious meal, and there will be a silent auction, raffles, and more.

All funds raised from the Fundraising Dinner will go towards providing brand new books to schools in the local Mid-North Coast area, supporting literacy and education for children in the region.

The dress code for the evening is cocktail/smart casual.