Once Upon a Festival

Once Upon a Festival Once Upon a Festival is an initiative of Immanuel College and is a school-based literary festival

06/11/2025

Once Upon a Festival 2025 was pure magic!

60+ schools
7,000+ tickets
100+ workshops & talks
23 incredible presenters

From inspiring author sessions and exciting book launches to live music and creative workshops, Immanuel was buzzing with stories, imagination, and connection.

A HUGE thank you to:
🙌 Our amazing authors & illustrators
🏫 Visiting schools
đź“– Partners
🎶 Immanuel’s talented musicians
…and the incredible volunteers & staff who made it all happen!

“The Festival was just amazing.. it’s the VIBE that I absolutely love. You’ve created something really special.”
“I love the energy and celebration of literature that seeps through the whole school”
“I loved every minute - the kids, the teachers, the warm welcome. You made all the authors and illustrators feel at home.”
“OUAF is a brilliant initiative that inspired hundreds of writers and readers.

Here’s to the power of stories and the joy they bring. Until next time!

Just 2 days to go! We can't wait to welcome students from across Adelaide to this year's Once Upon a Festival!While you...
28/10/2025

Just 2 days to go!

We can't wait to welcome students from across Adelaide to this year's Once Upon a Festival!

While you're there, be sure to visit the Great Book Swap — grab a great read for just a gold coin donation and support the amazing work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Every coin helps bring culturally relevant books and resources to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Let’s celebrate stories, share the joy of reading, and support a great cause together!

https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/great-book-swap-a-community-event

We’re thrilled to welcome QBD Books back to this year’s Festival!Discover and purchase books from all our featured autho...
22/10/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome QBD Books back to this year’s Festival!

Discover and purchase books from all our featured authors, and don’t miss the chance to meet your favourites in person!

Enjoy exclusive book signings and take home a personally signed copy - a special keepsake from an unforgettable literary experience.

Mark Smith is the author of five novels: The Road To Winter, Wilder Country, Land Of Fences, If Not Us and Three Boys Go...
17/10/2025

Mark Smith is the author of five novels: The Road To Winter, Wilder Country, Land Of Fences, If Not Us and Three Boys Gone.

Wilder Country won the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for YA, and The Road To Winter is a popular text on school lists nationwide. He is also an award-winning writer of short fiction whose work has appeared in Best Australian Stories, Great Ocean Quarterly, The Big Issue, Island, The Saturday Paper, The Victorian Writer and The Australian.

He is the co-curator of Minds Went Walking, Paul Kelly’s Songs Reimagined, and Into Your Arms, Nick Cave’s Songs Reimagined

He will be busy at this year’s Festival with several talks and workshops:
• The Road to Winter - Years 8-11
• Writing a Thriller - Years 9-11
• Getting past the blank screen - Years 7-11 (SOLD OUT)
• Writing from Stimuli - Years 9-11

To book or find out more, visit https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/mark-smith/

Last call for Professional Development bookings! English Teachers & Library Professionals are invited to join the Once U...
14/10/2025

Last call for Professional Development bookings!

English Teachers & Library Professionals are invited to join the Once Upon a Festival PD Program – a full-day event packed with inspiration, practical strategies, and creative ideas to bring your classroom or library to life!

Just a few spots left – don’t miss out!

Date: Friday 31 October 2025, 9:15 AM – 2:45 PM
Cost: $55 (SLASA, CBCA, SAETA members) or $65 (non-members)

Choose your stream: Primary or Secondary

What’s Included:
- A hands-on workshop with either Nathan Luff (Primary) or Will Kostakis (Secondary)
- 3 additional Talks tailored to your interests
- Free coffee voucher
- Certificate of Attendance

More info and bookings at: https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/professional-development/

Katrina Nannestad is a multi-award-winning children’s author whose writing encompasses history, mystery, adventure and h...
14/10/2025

Katrina Nannestad is a multi-award-winning children’s author whose writing encompasses history, mystery, adventure and humour.

Her historical novels include All the Beautiful Things, Silver Linings, Waiting for the Storks, Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief, We Are Wolves and The Girl Who Brought Mischief. Her series includes The Travelling Bookshop, The Girl, the Dog and the Writer, Olive of Groves, Red Dirt Diaries and Lottie Perkins.

Katrina Nannestad celebrates family, friendship and belonging in her writing. She loves creating stories that bring joy or hope to other people’s lives, and we look forward to her workshops and talks at this year’s Festival:
- The Rocky Road to Becoming an Author
- The Travelling Bookshop – Writing What You Love
- All the Beautiful Things – Writing Historical Fiction
- Creative Workshop: Creating Fabulous Characters

To book or find out more, visit https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/katrina-nannestad/

Join internationally published Adelaide illustrator Kate Mason at Once Upon a Festival for a series of colourful and tot...
07/10/2025

Join internationally published Adelaide illustrator Kate Mason at Once Upon a Festival for a series of colourful and totally fun map-making workshops!

Kate’s art is whimsical and a little quirky and has appeared on everything from jigsaw puzzles and food packaging to fabric and stationery -and now she’s bringing her magical style to YOU!

Make Your Own Spooky Halloween Map (Years 3–7)
Design your own trick-or-treat neighbourhood filled with haunted houses, creepy forests, and candy hotspots!

Treasure Map Adventures (Years 3–7)
Reimagine your suburb with secret spots, fun icons, and a legend to guide the way!

Design Your Own Game Board Map (Years 5–9)
Create a playable board game world-enchanted forests, space stations, or underwater kingdoms await!

All materials provided. Just bring your imagination!

Spots are limited -book now and let the adventure begin: https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/kate-mason/


Last Call for Entries - ImPress Writing Competition!Are you a young writer with a story to tell? This is your chance to ...
01/10/2025

Last Call for Entries - ImPress Writing Competition!

Are you a young writer with a story to tell? This is your chance to be part of South Australia’s biggest youth literary celebration - Once Upon A Festival!

Entries close Monday, 13 October 2025 at 11:59 PM

Theme: Upon opening a mysterious book in your school library, you are suddenly pulled into its pages... Will you rewrite history, battle mythical creatures, reshape a story’s ending, or risk being trapped inside forever?

You are invited to share your story relating to this year’s theme, either as a short story or poem – you have free rein to choose your creative path.

Prizes awarded for Primary (Years 3–6) entries and Secondary (Years 7–11) entries, plus book vouchers, plus other exciting prizes! Open to South Australian residents only.

Full details & entry form: https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/writing-competition/

Meet Nathan Luff at Once Upon A Festival! From wild farm tales to laugh-out-loud books, Nathan Luff brings storytelling ...
26/09/2025

Meet Nathan Luff at Once Upon A Festival!

From wild farm tales to laugh-out-loud books, Nathan Luff brings storytelling to life! Growing up on a farm in rural NSW as one of five boys, Nathan’s colourful childhood fuels the humour and heart in his writing.
Author of The Nerd Herd, Family Disasters, Jungle Escape, Bad Grammar, and Chicken Stu, Nathan also writes plays for young audiences and teaches creative writing and performing arts. He’s currently the YA & Children’s Manager for the Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Nathan’s Talks: My Storytelling Journey
Nathan's Workshops: Writing Comedy & Character Building

Book for Nathan Luff - children's author's sessions at: https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/nathan-luff/

Meet Nat Amoore – a passionate Sydney-based children's author who inspires kids to read, write, and imagine without limi...
24/09/2025

Meet Nat Amoore – a passionate Sydney-based children's author who inspires kids to read, write, and imagine without limits!

Her debut novel 'Secrets Of A Schoolyard Millionaire' became Australia’s #1 bestselling debut children’s fiction in 2019 and has sold internationally. She followed up with 'The Power Of Positive Pranking', winner of the 2021 Environment Award for Children’s Literature, plus CBCA Notables The Right Way To Rock and We Run Tomorrow.

In 2024, Nat Amoore Author launched her junior fiction series 'Shower Land', and in 2025, her first picture book 'I Don’t Need a Little Brother' hit the shelves.

At Once Upon A Festival, Nat brings two exciting talks:
- Chaos Kid (Years 3 - 6)
- Get Zapped! (Years 2 - 4)

Book at https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/nat-amoore/

Karen Comer is an award-winning author, freelance editor, and writing mentor who inspires kids and adults through her cr...
22/09/2025

Karen Comer is an award-winning author, freelance editor, and writing mentor who inspires kids and adults through her creative workshops.

Her YA verse novel Grace Notes won the CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers 2024 and was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award and NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.

Her middle-grade verse novel Sunshine on Vinegar Street won the Queensland Literary Awards Children’s Book Award 2024 and was a CBCA Notable Book.

Catch Karen live at Once Upon A Festival:

Talks:
- Sport and Symbols in Sunshine on Vinegar Street (Years 3–6)
- Music, Street Art and Poetry in Grace Notes (Years 7–10)
Workshops:
- Creating Verse Novels: Explore poetic techniques and symbolism.
- Writing Poetry from Fragments: Turn ideas into powerful poems.

Bookings and more information at https://ouaf.immanuel.sa.edu.au/karen-comer/

Address

32 Morphett Road
Novar Gardens, SA
5040

Telephone

+61883751700

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