A USC 2011 Creative Writing graduate who is now a bestselling crime novelist and the award-winning author and Emeritus Professor who started USC’s Creative Writing program in 1997 will both feature at next week’s Voices on the Coast festival.

Presented by Immanuel Lutheran College and USC Sunshine Coast, the youth literature festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary from 19-22 February with community and campus events involving 26 storytellers.

More than 4,500 eager students in Years 4 to 12 from schools across the region will gather on campus at Sippy Downs on Thursday 20 February and Friday 21 February to attend talks, workshops and meet-and-greets with authors, illustrators and performers.

Sydney-based USC Honours graduate Candice Fox, who has become a leading Australian crime author since her debut Hades and through collaborations with bestselling American thriller writer James Patterson, will talk to students about the mechanics of crime writing and the importance of rejection from publishers.

Ms Fox, who is published in 15 territories and has two television deals in the works, will also be guest speaker at a literary breakfast at Immanuel Lutheran College on Saturday 22 February. The breakfast is part of the festival’s Voices Plus events open to the community.

Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing Gary Crew, who also presented at the inaugural Voices on the Coast festival, will talk to school students on campus at USC about employment opportunities for creative writers.

Professor Crew has published more than 80 novels and illustrated books internationally and is a four-time winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year.

Festival coordinator Kelly Dunham said the Voices 25 family event at Immanuel Lutheran College on Thursday 20 February from 5.30pm to 7pm would be free and open to the public.

“To celebrate 25 years, we’re inviting the Sunshine Coast community to meet and mingle with popular authors, poets and illustrators while enjoying roving entertainment,” she said.

Community members can also hear wildlife photographer and author Jan Latta speak about her children’s books at The Little Book Nook at Palmwoods on Wednesday 19 February.

Storytime Sessions focused on the book Nop by local author Caroline Magerl will be held across Sunshine Coast Libraries.

For information, bookings and registrations, check the website.

Contact: media@usc.edu.au