Solstice 26 — writers and artists unite!

Posted on April 27, 2026 by jason nahrung

We are pleased to announce that Soldiers Hill Artist Collective and Words Out Loud are once again uniting to present an ekphrastic exhibition!

Centred on the theme of the winter solstice (but not exclusively), the Solstice 26 exhibition entails 24 Central Highlands writers providing responses in prose and poetry to SHAC artworks that I expect will encompass the group’s range of talents: woodwork, painting, photography, ceramics, textiles, and more.

This will be the third such collaboration, this time supported by a Creative Inspiration grant from Ballarat City Council, for which we are grateful to be auspiced by Ballarat Arts Alive.

Thanks to the grant, there will be a subsidised writing workshop on the Sunday run by Ballarat writer Melissa Watts — details to come. Keep an eye out for an arts workshop on the Saturday!

Solstice 26 will run at Ballarat North Bowling Club, 402 Gregory Street, on Saturday 20 June and Sunday 21 June, 10am–4pm.

The official opening will be on Friday 19 June at 6pm, with nibbles and cash bar. All welcome!

Alison Goodman in Ballarat for the Melbourne Art Book Fair (free event)

Posted on April 15, 2024 by jason nahrung

Words Out Loud is chuffed to host, in partnership with Everybody Knows Books, Melbourne-based author Alison Goodman in conversation for the regional program of the Melbourne Art Book Fair.

Photo by Tania Jovanovic

Alison, a New York Times bestselling author, has written eight novels marketed to young adults and adults across a range of genres. She will be sharing her experiences working with publishers big and small as she delves into the role of cover art and book selling from a writer’s point of view.

Alison will also be sharing her experiences in promoting her latest novel, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies. It is the first in a series of mystery adventures set in the Regency era and was recently long-listed in the 2023 ARA Historical Novel Award. It should not surprise then that Alison has a strong interest in hands-on research, whether it be swordplay, Regency-era dance or a fine high tea.

Alison will be in conversation with Ballarat-based writer Jason Nahrung, with plenty of opportunity for questions and a chat.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided, and Alison will have a selection of her books for sale and will have her signing pen handy.

The FREE event will be held on Thursday, 30 May, at 6pm at Everybody Knows Books, 10 Sturt Street, Ballarat.

There is a Facebook event here if you’d like to indicate your interest, and you can direct any queries via the website.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!