Had enough of discussing/comparing/analysing/consuming writing? Shed that critic for a day to let your inner wordsmith roam wild with this spontaneous free-writing workshop. Using a series of prompted fast-flow, process-writing activities you'll soon be rambling like you've never rambled before!

I laughed so hard I almost wet myself; stop making me laugh it hurts; was it funny funny ha ha or just funny? What makes good comedy and how do you write or create it? Comedic artists talk about their experiences and tricks of the trade when it comes to making people laugh.

A Masquerade Cabaret Ball to be relished with EYES WIDE OPEN. Get your freak on, frock up and rock out as we kick on from our 10th birthday party. Big bands, intimate perfomances, and some amazing special guests. Stamp, stomp, glide and roll into the night with complete anonymity.

Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The Matinee Open Mic sessions are your chance to show us what you're made of. Be bold. Be daring. Grab that mic and do what you will.

Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The Matinee Open Mic sessions are your chance to show us what you're made of. Be bold. Be daring. Grab that mic and do what you will.

Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The Matinee Open Mic sessions are your chance to show us what you're made of. Be bold. Be daring. Grab that mic and do what you will.

Calling all writers, musos, stand-up comics and bag pipe kings. Got something new and hot to share with the rest of the world? The Matinee Open Mic sessions are your chance to show us what you're made of. Be bold. Be daring. Grab that mic and do what you will.

Spoken word scenestars converge and combust in a two-part national showcase highlighting the brightest and the boldest of the Australian SW set. Part one features a lively lineup of favourites old and new and the launch of the NYWF 10th Anniversary Spoken Word Compilation.

That's right, double digits baby! NYWF turns 10 and to celebrate, we're launching our 10th Anniversary Anthology Herding Kites, showcasing new books and performances from festival favourites and giving away zine showbags. We're also getting all teary-eyed, busting out the baby photos and showering you with free champagne!

It has begun! TINA 08 kicks off in style as NYWF, Electrofringe, Critical Animals and Sound Summit present a rapid-fire taste of things to come. Grab some cool-aide, strap yourself in and let us take up you into the collective madness that is TINA 08.

Street Spoken is a spoken word tour of some of Newcastle's most fascinating hidden locations. Stop by the TiNA information Booth to collect an ipod / head-set and a map, then delve into the rich current of stories living around, above, beneath and between you.

Enter Civic Park on Sunday for the world's longest picnic. Ok, there have been longer, but where else will you find sunshine, rugs, endless tea and hours of great entertainment? Featuring the One Horse Town launch, Teen Angst Time Capsule, Raw and the Open Brunch Spoken Word Sessions.

If you're under 18, listen up - this is your official introduction to the festival! Come find out what's going down with the program and the workshop series, and get hooked up with a mentor to be your partner in literati crime. Email amy.nywf@gmail.com for more.