More Featured Local Authors!

Harry Colfer is an experienced critical care paramedic. As a way of dealing with the inevitable toll of his role, he embraced the cathartic paramedic custom of dark-humoured storytelling and began writing in his spare time. Harry has published a murder-mystery, two action-adventure thrillers, and a collection of short stories. Harry has long ties to Townsville and the region, with his dream of living and writing full time based in the Whitsundays becoming an attainable goal.

For Shute Harbour resident Monique van Tulder, her Whitsundays relationship began in 1987. Decades of professional experience – lifestyle and travel writer, clinical nutritionist, cookbook author, airline and hotel management – did nothing to prepare her for the shock of finding herself slumped in mid-life. She writes for national magazines and her website is an award-winning resource for slow and curious travellers. Her next book – A Grown Ups Gap Year – will be launched at the Festival.

Airlie Beach local, Richard Evans, has written nine page-turning crime thrillers. Drawing from his service as a federal politician in the Australian national parliament, Richard brings unparalleled authenticity to his work. Through his well-researched books, he examines contemporary societal issues – such as Aboriginal sovereignty, euthanasia, and the manipulation of election campaigns – and, using his insider experience, exposes the dark arts of politics.