Early Harvest celebrates 10 years of creative publishing program supporting student literacy

Over the last ten years, thousands of young people have contributed their imaginations and ideas to Early Harvest. The program supports student literacy and creative confidence by assembling a team of young editors each year to create a professionally published book full of writing by their peers.

Our ten Early Harvest story anthologies have featured the work of more than 150 young writers as well as contributing authors Andy Griffiths, Alice Pung, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Andrew McDonald, Oliver Phommavanh, Sally Morgan and more! All of the stories are matched with amazing illustrations by real-world artists who have lovingly worked to bring young people’s writing to life.

To celebrate Early Harvest’s decade-long journey and all the people (young and young-at-heart) who have made it possible, 100 Story Building has prepared a special anniversary program – 10 Year Fest!

The 10 Year Fest program features fun interactive events with some of the program’s favourite guest authors and artists, including; Oliver Phommavanh, Holly Adkins, Kate Moon, Andrew McDonald, Heesco and Alice Pung.

Program sessions are designed for kids (ages 7-12) and explore the fun literary world of writing and illustrating. On Saturday 26 February, up your writing’s funny factor and find your brand of funny with bestselling author and stand-up comedian Oliver Phommavanh and then in the afternoon join amazing illustrator Holly Adkins and create a cool comic character from scratch.

Level up your drawing on Sunday 6 March, as you explore two key elements of a successful portrait with Kate Moon, best known as one half of the illustration team that brought Adam Briggs’s ‘Our Home, Our Heartbeat’ to life as an award-winning children’s book.

Join a free scavenger hunt adventure in Footscray hosted by bestselling local author Alice Pung and a motley crew from 100 Story Building on Saturday 12 March 2022.

On Saturday 19 March, collaborate creatively with mural and fine-art artist Heesco, get to know your collaborators and build your teamwork skills – through art! Then partake in a hands-on masterclass with bestselling author Andrew McDonald and share in the secrets to creating characters and writing stories that hook readers with the power of WEIRD.

The Early Harvest 10 Year Fest is supported by the Besen Family Foundation and the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund. The 2022 Early Harvest program is supported by Gandel Foundation.