The fourth annual festival is on the weekend of May 4-6 and it will take place at Charles Sturt University.

The festival is organised by the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC), in partnership with BooksPlus, and it consists of three days of live streamed sessions direct from the Sydney Writers’ Festival along with a diverse local program of local author talks, panels, writing workshops and poetry slam.

New Zealand author, poet and literary editor Ashleigh Young will open the festival on Friday, May 4.

Ms Young was the winner of the prestigious 2017 Windham-Campbell Prize for her wonderful collection of essays, Can You Tolerate This?

She will speak at the festival about her experiences of growing up in a small rural setting in New Zealand and her work as an essayist and poet.

Booksplus’ Jenny Barry said the festival features author talks, panels and workshops.

“One of the highlights of the festival will again be the Great Festival Read, or giant Bathurst Book Club,” she said.

“This popular session will see book lovers read the same book in the lead-up to the festival weekend.

“This year the chosen book is The Lucky Galah by Bathurst author, Tracy Sorensen.”

Ms Barry said the novel will be discussed by a panel featuring book lovers Warwick Franks, Danielle Hart, Joanne Reid and Victoria Erskine.

“Everyone is encouraged to read The Lucky Galah and come along and take part in this interactive session,” she said.

To be held for the second year with students from all local high schools as well as Oberon and Blayney high schools will take part.taking part in workshops with leading Australian young adult authors, JC Burke and Megan Jacobson on May 4.

Orange-based children’s author Charlotte Calder will run the workshop which is aimed at children in Years 5 and 6.

The workshop for those interested in being independently published with local authors Kim Kelly and Dean Mobbs.

Other panels and discussions include Publishing Children’s Picture Books which will highlight the different ways of getting published, along with play readings and a host of other sessions.

“Poetry will again be a feature of the festival with members of Bathurst Poets group reading and the return of the very popular poetry slam event on Saturday evening,” Ms Barry said.

There is also a terrific line-up of international and Australian authors featuring in the live streamed sessions from the Sydney Writers’ Festival.

The answer is nothing. All sessions are free and organisers are seeking the support of the local community to assist with sponsorship.

Ms Barry has called on individuals or businesses that would like to lend their support to help with this year’s festival to contact her at BooksPlus on 6331 5994 for more details.

Copies of this year’s program can be found online at www.bmec.com.au or at BooksPlus.