Book in for the launch of a brand new writers' festival

Lovers of the written word across Douglas Shire have bookmarked this weekend as a must, with a brand new festival kicking off in Mossman and Port Douglas.

Julatten author Chantal Munro is launching one book at the festival and reissuing another one with a revamped layout.

“It’s a more professional one. I’ve been kind of waiting for that polished off level so I can start hitting schools, libraries, places like that,” Munro says.

She writes across a range of subjects, including facepainting, environmental fairytales and menopause, but always with her trademark humour and engaging style.

“In 1998 I self-published a facepainting book, that’s now in its ninth edition and I’ve sold 80,000 globally.”

After connecting up with Julatten neighbour and fellow author and publisher Crystal Leonardi, the idea of a Douglas Shire Book Festival was born.

“Something Crystal and I are very strong on is, the more we support each other, the better we all are,” she says.

“So, for instance, the Book Festival, which is just for North Queensland writers, has 37 writers booked with a wait list of 20, that’s all from this area.

“There’s a huge network of writers up here,” she says.

“It’s the networking, it just kind of happens.”

And what can visitors expect from the weekend?

“The ability to meet your favourite author, to learn more about the variety of genres, to even learn how easy it is to publish books now,” Munro says.

“We’re highlighting that this is something you can do and can do in your own community.”

“Not to mention the launches and panels, et cetera, that are just going to be entertaining meeting some of these characters behind these books.”

“It’s one thing to walk into a book store, pick up a book, you’re prompted by the look of the cover, you turn it over, you read it and maybe it grabs you.