Queenscliffe Literary Festival

Crime Writers on the Surf Coast

Mark Smith, Christine Keighery and Tanya Scott explain their love of writing crime fiction, and how living on the Surf Coast stimulates their imaginations. Demystifying the conventions of crime fiction, each author will talk about the processes behind their writing and the ways they grab their readers’ attention, creating gripping novels that stand above the pack. With Sarah L’Estrange.

Otway Light Festival

Panel with Mark Smith moderated by Philippa Bailey, exploring the theme of New Beginnings.

Sketch and Scribe Festival

Get your book into schools with Mark Smith

Online via Zoom

Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival

Brumbies, Burning and the Big Blue

Jock Serong (Preservation) in conversation with three passionate Australian nature writers, Professor David Lindenmayer (The Forest Wars), Ya Reeves (Over This Backbone) and Mark Smith (Three Boys Gone), on the elements that fire their imaginations: the stuff of dreams and nightmares, and the imagery that’s irresistible when they sit down to write.

Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival

Scene or Seen at the Crime: Place or People?

Bestselling authors, Marg Hickey (An Ill Wind), Sulari Gentill (Five Found Dead) and Mark Smith (Three Boys Gone) will be led by Andrea Barton (The Godfather of Dance) in a discussion about writing thriller and crime novels. Does the place or the people drive their narrative? From writing a killer opening scene to the connection between setting and characters … find out from the best.

Gippsland Writers Festival: Danger/Beauty: Wild Places in Literature

With Vikki Conley, Nikki Gemmell and Mark Smith

Apollo Bay Wordfest: Author Panel - What if...?

Join us in conversation with authors Jock Serong (Cherrywood, The Settlement), Kylie Ladd (The Mix-up, The Way Back) and Mark Smith (The Road to Winter, Wilder Country) as they discuss their latest works and explore a question that might haunt us as we consider the past or inspire us as we look towards the future: What if?…

Discussion hosted by Tim Nolan.

*Food and drinks available at the venue.

Apollo Bay Wordfest: Wordplay Kids Day

The WordPlay programme is sponsored by Apollo Bay P-12 College.

In this session, acclaimed author, Mark Smith, will be speaking to senior students and young adults about the ways imaginative writing can confront life’s most important challenges.

Willy Lit Fest: Dark and Stormy

Mark Smith (Three Boys Gone) and Laura McCluskey (The Wolf Tree) discuss the perilous landscapes where they’ve set their crime novels.

Willy Lit Fest: Swimming Salon

Four writers, Laura McCluskey (The Wolf Tree), Katia Ariel (The Swift, Dark Tide), James Bradley (Deep Water), and Mark Smith (Three Boys Gone) read on the theme of swimming, followed by a winter dip.

Author Talk with Mark Smith

Mark Smith discusses his new novel, Three Boys Gone, with fellow author Holden Sheppard.

This is a free event but bookings are essential.

Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute Library

In Conversation with Mark Smith

Attendee price: $10 bookings essential incl. light refreshment.

SORRENTO - Words After Dark with Mark Smith

Antipodes Bookshop + Gallery invites you to an evening with Mark Smith.

Tickets are $25pp including a drink of choice and nibbles on arrival.

Bookings Essential | Numbers strictly limited.

TORQUAY - Mark Smith in conversation with Jock Serong

Join us for an exciting event where Mark Smith will be chatting with Jock Serong about Marks latest book Three Boys Gone.

OCEAN GROVE - An Evening with Ella Ward and Mark Smith

Ella & Mark discuss their latest bestselling novels, "The Cicada House", set on The Bellarine Peninsula and "Three Boys Gone", set on The Surf Coast.

Doors Open at 6.30 pm

Refreshments available at OGSLSC Bar Prices

EPPING NSW - Literary Lunch with Mark Smith

Join us for our March Literary Lunch with acclaimed Australian author Mark Smith. Following the launch of his gripping new release, Three Boys Gone, Mark will delve into his thrilling book, share insights into his writing process, and explore the complex moral dilemma at the heart of the novel.

Avid Reader - Mark Smith in conversation with Ben Hobson

Join us for a salon event with Mark Smith in conversation with Ben Hobson. We will also be introducing you to three emerging writers who will read from their work.

Sydney Book Launch - Harry Hartog

Join us in store at Harry Hartog Mosman as we celebrate the release of Mark Smith's psychological thriller, Three Boys Gone. Mark will be in conversation with Anna Downes, as they discuss his book, his writing and the complex moral dilemma presented in the narrative.

Three Boys Gone is a heart-in-mouth psychological thriller, a twisty, unflinching and pacey page-turner about an impossible choice and how tragedy tests and defines us.

Light refreshments will be available on the evening. 

BOOK LAUNCH
Three Boys Gone: Mark Smith in conversation with Mark Brandi

Join us to celebrate the launch of Mark Smith's newest psychological thriller, Three Boys Gone.

Mark Smith presents the ultimate moral dilemma in a breathtaking psychological thriller. Would you try to save them? Grace Disher is about to face every teacher's worst nightmare. Three of her students are going to die. On a high school camping trip, three boys slip away for an ocean swim. By the time Grace catches up, the perilous surf conditions are overwhelming the teenagers. If she goes in, she will die trying to save them. Should she have given her life?

Free, but bookings are essential.

Into Your Arms - Celebrating the Words & Music of Nick Cave

Showcasing the anthology Into Your Arms - Nick Cave's Songs Reimagined (Fremantle Press 2023), this special evening event will draw on the evocative music and words of Nick Cave to bring to life three original and unsettling tales of crime, faith, violence and love.

"In creating this anthology, each contributor has selected a Nick Cave classic, dug deep into the lyrics, basked in its mood, and reimagined it in their own inimitable style.”

Featuring readings from three local writers and collaborators on this anthology, Rhett Davis, Toni Jordan and Mark Smith (also a co-curator on the project), and beautifully accompanied by MC Vin Maskell and the acclaimed six-piece Stereo Stories band, this event will combine words and music in a way that is guaranteed to inspire the storyteller in all of us.

Canapes and drinks will be provided during interval.  Aged 18+

Tickets $65pp OR $55pp for library members (free to join).

*Please arrive for doors at 5pm, with the show commencing at 5:30pm sharp.

This event is proudly sponsored by Bolinda / BorrowBox – your library in one app

From an automaton of Nick Cave to a man who can’t keep his blood out of the food he is preparing; from a vengeful Uber driver to a spinner of souls; and from a boy caught up in a robbery to a girl desperate to save a failing greyhound. The characters who populate this short story collection have all been inspired by Nick Cave lyrics. Join authors and contributors Mark Smith, Jon Doust and Gillian O’Shaughnessy as they share their response to Cave’s visionary genius.

Followed by live music from MIKE GOODIN playing NICK CAVE.

Hosted by Glynn Greensmith
$20 Not included in Weekend and Day passes

Jon Doust photo credit Nic Duncan

Celebrate the launch of Matthew Ryan Davies' new novel, The Broken Wave. In conversation with Mark Smith.

Join us for an evening with authors Mark Smith, Rhett Davis & Sarah Bailey as they reimagine the songs of Nick Cave and celebrate the release of a new anthology Into Your Arms: Nick Cave’s Songs Reimagined. This is the second anthology from the curators of the bestselling Minds Went Walking: Paul Kelly's Songs Reimagined.

In this new anthology, we go Cave-diving into the beauty and power of Nick Cave's songbook, where every story is sparked by a song.

Twenty-one of Australia's favourite creators sail their ships around Cave's visionary genius with their own original and unsettling tales of death, faith, mercy and heartbreak.

Tickets are $10 and include a glass of wine or bubbles.

Tickets available here.

Join us and several of the contributing authors to celebrate the launch of Into Your Arms: Nick Cave's Songs Reimagined, edited by Kirsten Krauth.

Readings St Kilda is one of Nick Cave's go-to places after all. 

Free, but bookings are essential.

Please book here.

Set on the windswept point of an island at the edge of Van Diemen’s Land, The Settlement reimagines the ill-fated exploits of George Augustus Robinson at the settlement of Wybalenna.
Robinson gathers together the last of the Tasmanians to save them – he believes – from the murderous intent of pastoral settlers on their country.
Join Jock Serong for this compelling discussion of his extraordinarily vivid imagining of one of the most significant encounters in Australian history
Hosted by Mark Smith

The songs of Paul Kelly hold a special place in the heart of many Australians. In this anthology, Australian writers and musicians select a song from Kelly’s celebrated back catalogue and let their minds go walking. The results are delightful, inspiring and eclectic. Join editors Mark Smith and Jock Serong alongside contributors Sarah Drummond and Julia Lawrinson for their personal reflections on the words of Paul Kelly.
A live performance from singer-songwriter Carus Thompson sharing his own musical interpretations of Paul Kelly songs will follow this panel discussion.

Is YA your tribe? Do you love a great YA read? Always wanted to write YA? Or have burning questions for published YA authors? Look no further! Bring your favourite YA book to this intimate discussion with Bianca Breen (YA for WA) and award-winning authors Holden Sheppard (The Brink, Invisible Boys) and Mark Smith (If Not Us). This inspiring and inclusive gathering will also feature author Q&As and a YA micro-fiction competition with a $100 prize.