The Portal: Fantasy Workshop Festival, to be held at Bonney Theatre Complex in Barmera from 9-11 September, will feature a diverse range of South Australian authors and presenters.

Writers SA Riverland Coordinator Kirste Vandergiessen said the program was designed to celebrate creators of fantasy by showcasing writers’ projects and highlighting their skills and experience.

“We want to build the skills of our fantasy writers, nurture their passion of the genre, inspire them, give them some time and space to write and create, strengthen our connections as a community, and welcome newcomers,” Vandergiessen said.

The idea for a specifically fantasy genre writing festival came from the Riverland’s rich community of fantasy writers, artists, creatives, readers and gamers.

“Like all kinds of writing, fantasy gives us the chance to dig into some really tricky emotions, traumatic experiences, and realities that are hard to face head-on,” Vandergiessen said.

Fantasy Workshop Festival features Lyndall Clipstone, internationally selling author of Lakesedge and Forestfall.

The festival features South Australian award-winning author Lyndall Clipstone who writes about “monsters and the girls who like to kiss them”.

“I was drawn to writing that genre because of being a fan of fantasy authors such as Gillian Rubinstein, Margot Lanagan, Holly Black, and Leigh Bardugo,” Clipstone said.

“I think fantasy has become a popular genre because it offers such readers the chance to experience so many other worlds that are different from our own. And as a writer, it’s such a wonderful experience to craft these worlds where the possibilities are endless.”

The festival kicks off with a Friday night street closure event in Barmera, featuring the works of local writers and artists in a projection mural, as well as a pop-up book stall and warm drinks from the Little Miss Daisy pop-up van.

The festival will continue beyond the weekend programs with an exhibition by local artists and writers held at local ideas hub, Part of Things.

The first of its kind in the region, Vandergiessen says all are welcome to attend and take part in the fantasy-focused weekend.

“We are excited to bring local writers, readers, storytellers, and fantasy lovers together in Barmera to connect, explore and learn. There’s so much love and collaboration in this project – locally and beyond. And we’re really excited to share it all with our regional fantasy community,” Vandergiessen said.

Virtual event, ‘Quick, A Portal Opened!’ allows those who are unable to attend in-person events to take part in the program.

Registrations for the festival programs are essential via the Writers SA website.