Stories matter. Books matter. Exemplified by Daniel Kumbon ‘s book They Chose Peace. The Honourable Justice Graham Ellis, National Court of #PNG -his Judgement used Kumbons memoir-tribal fighting in #PNG must stop. #FNWF publishers. #booksbooksbooks #BUY firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/

Julie Mota Kondi spoke at China University Technology conference: Cultural Resilience+Climate Change, 250 global academics. With her book ANI'S PORTRAIT, published #FNWF. Congratulations Julie, the book is now world travelled. #booksky #culture #Climate #BUY firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/

Alec Doomadgee and friends helping his brothers and sisters of the Greater #Pacific raise money to publish stories. #BUY HERE #BUY HERE #BUY HERE Looking good. Thank you Jarrbikgala. Deliver Tshirts everywhere in the world. #Booksky firstnationswritersfestival.org/shop/

It takes a village for #FNWF. Award manuscripts; publish #books, a #festival. The team from Busybird Publishing. Thank you Kev+Les, looking GOOD in #FNWF T- Shirts+the best stories in the world. Buy our tshirts here for Christmas presents. firstnationswritersfestival.org/shop/ #booksky

**WATCH** Alec Doomadgee: Internationally renowned Radio Announcer, Board Chair, Film Director+Producer, Actor [TV and Film], Activist, and Word Warrior. With #FNWF from the start. Here with Nancy Swanjo Waffi: SUBMIT YOUR STORIES. Save your culture forever. youtu.be/MeIA7ct7USA #booksky

Julie Mota Kondi invited to #PNG National Dictionary of Biography V1 launch, on Thursday. Chat about Ani’s Portrait My String Bag Back Home. The audience: Australian National University staff, diplomatic staff High Commission, Uni students. 50th Independence Anniversary PNG. #booksky

Two of #FNWF BOOKS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE are on the shortlist for the Literary Award: Au Queensland Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance 2025. Black Witness (Amy McQuire, UQP) Warra Warra Wai (Darren Rix and Craig Cormick, Scribner) CONGRATULATIONS!!!! #booksky #booksbooksbooks #book

Angry Judges. 255 years ago Capt Cook discovered Australia: still taught today. FALSE. He who writes history owns it. First people’s have the oldest cultures >60,000 yrs, +navigated by the stars before Cook. Book by #Indigenous ancestors. Tell your story before someone else does. #booksky

#FNWF Award Judges: Fast paced #crime novel, twists and turns you won't anticipate + explosive ending. The Highlands of #PNG. Characters are warm, funny, tragic, dangerous and relatable. Full of culture, will resonate everywhere for reasons the reader won't expect. Available soon. #booksky #bookclub

Paradise. Judges: The Pacific is drowning. This warm + gentle book brings home to each of us that what we do matters. That all over the Pacific small nations are being lost. Real people, with homes, families, children, unique cultures, ancient knowhow. It will break your heart + fill it. #booksky

Julie Kondi's launch #FNWF2025. 65,000 words typed on smart phone. Powerful novel of village life after colonisation, by a vibrant + forthright author: loss of culture and critical strings that bind communities. MASTERPIECE. #Booksky youtu.be/vStGXjJD4Oc BUY: firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/

Annually 9th Aug Int. Day of Indigenous Peoples: celebrates cultures+knowledge+rights to make their own decisions. #FNWF publishes their stories in their voice+share globally. Author Kuri "you aint read anything yet, people in #london #Sydney #nyc, until you read FNWF books". #Booksky #bookclubs

#WEAVING: A multi skilled story teller, many mediums, a special guest at FNWF2025. This is her story. All over the greater #Pacific, are weavers, possibly the greatest activity. Homes, bags, sails, art, clothes, and more. All passed down from ancestors. youtu.be/EY-tLWrBsNw

**WATCH & LISTEN #FNWF first STORY AMBASSADOR. Amazing advice to everyone. **PLUS the #bestselling story of his own. **A FARMER BRINGS ON A WIFE**. Laugh, cry, be shocked, a surprise ending. Multi Award winner, Elder- #Pacific literature. #booksky #booksbooksbooks #Oceania youtu.be/6uiVMCEpVDs

Romney Tabara commended all the Authors from the FNWF 2024 Anthology launched at the #FNWF Festival. #PNG #Fiji #solomonislands all included. ***WATCH and ***LISTEN Another #bestseller around the world. youtu.be/ygpQTahYfgE

Renowned #Journalist Daniel Kumbon's #Memoir, 50 years #PNG Independence. Chronicling great leaders, speakers, events of his country and his own life. From memory, notes, interviews, records of others. An astonishing history of an amazing country. Already a #BestSeller. #Booksky #Pacific #Oceania

DANIEL KUMBON ANNONCED as a FNWF Living Treasure at #FNWF 2025. For his contribution of recording the stories of others, his country, his province, his family and himself. Forever, these books are a record of history, for the peoples of today,+those of tomorrow. youtu.be/shZbh9iEVM8 #booksky #books

*WATCH + *LISTEN #PNG award winning Author of STUNNED BY LIGHT at #FNWF 2025. The necessity to write your culture + history is overwhelming. Tell your story, before it is too late or somebody else does. We publish stories that no one else does. Congrats. youtu.be/1ZgwTGtA0g4 #bookskyclub #booksky

WATCH + LISTEN. A warm and personal description of her memoir at #FNWF 2025 festival. Marlene dee Gray Potoura shares how and why it took so long to publish her story. BUY IT HERE firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/ WATCH IT HERE: youtu.be/PG7HJgiLN1M #booksky #memoir #oceania #PNG #books

"A difficult read due to content, MUST READ. Mid 1800’s, detailed+researched story tells the colonisers’ settlement+governance Qld Au; indigenous Charlie: FASTEST RUNNER ever. #Kamilaroi; #WakkaWakka; #Jarowair. What’s lost, what’s gained, by whom" #booksky jabirupublishing.com.au/shop/non-fic...

**51** MILLION MEDIA REACH Big Thank you to InsideOut PR for helping #FNWF publicise its story. About stories of Greater #Pacific + beyond. Award winning Authors. Sponsors Rydges Sydney Airport and Rydges Fortitude Valley. See you next year, at #FNWF 2026. #booksky #booksbooksbooks #bookFestivals

2025 #FNWF WATCH n LISTEN best selling author. "You wont read a story like this anywhere else in the world" John Kuri Author #FNWF '25 Festival. #london, #sydney, #newyork...1,000 years of culture in the first chapter". Best selling fantasy novel, watch his speech. #booksky youtu.be/4sf5N4VHuCc

Daniel Kumbon in #PNG, his book 'They Chose Peace', a deeply personal reflection on tribal conflict, national identity, and healing. "If compensation payment for all deaths is the conclusion of all conflicts, then why not pay it in the first instance." #FNWF Living Treasure Book, published soon.

#FNWF 2025 #TALKFEST showcased Authors of recently published books. Speaking about their motivation for the book, their culture, their joy in having the book published. It was awesome. Here are some….. #booksky #indiebooks #bookfestivals #Pacific #somethingnew

Lester Laoagan, #Philippines, his #book “I wanted to showcase the mythology of #Igorot peoples of my mountainous region- #cordillera. #indigenous voices overlooked. Some cultures overrepresented. Soon KALANAY: TALE OF THE MOUNTAINS #FNWF 2025 Award. firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/ #Booksky

Romney Tabara was an Awardee for his short story A TALE OF TWO CROCODILES. From SW PNG, down to Torres Strait. Interviewed by #FNWF MC Peter Rockford Espiritu at the #Townsville FNWF2025 TALKFEST. Published in the FNWF2024 Short Story Anthology. #PNG #pacific #oceania #booksky youtu.be/JTglHoG6x2g

The #mortlockIslands, NE Bougainville, Glen Faite's home. Book 'Resilient Hearts' is climate change-beyond our control. If you are prone to disasters, rise up and do something now so your people and cultures are safe. When the Indigenous can't be heard, it can be read." #oceania #books #booksky

Interview by #ABC Pacific Lucy Cooper, 2 Authors speaking FNWF2025, Marlene Dee Gray Potoura n John Wamugl Kuri. Listen up. Both speak: ancient cultural knowledge written into their stories. Available forever. BUY now : firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/ www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...? #booksky

#FNWF 2025 had all its book on display. Having just announced another 18 story awards at the TALKFEST. Humbling to see so many, in such a short time. From across the #pacific. #BUY #booksky THEM HERE: firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/

National Indigenous Times' story of #FNWF 2025 book + short story winners comments: read what they said. FNWF shares with the world the stories of the peoples of the Greater #Pacific, in their own voice. This year: #PNG #AROB #Philippines #Fiji #SolomonIslands nit.com.au/18-06-2025/1...? #booksky

Our #SUPPERCLUB #FNWF 2025 held at the fabulous Seaview Hotel. Again. Fabulous food+service [thank you] +Loft Room perfect-overlooking the beach+tropical jungle. An iconic building on The Strand, #Townsville, we met, greeted, listened and dined. Excited about the new book launches.

Baka Bina interview by HabitusLiving about ‘ples’. Leading architectural magazine–specifics of home-particular qualities+uniqueness of Asia-Pacific homes. FIRST #PNG Author speaks ples. Article here: www.habitusliving.com/articles/bak... Read ples #booksky: firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/

We had a fabulous time. #FNWF 2025. Award winning authors+artists. New awards. Fab location #Townsville +Fab food. Talking stories+culture+books+weaving++Fab MC Peter Rockford Espiritu. Fab sponsors RydgesSydney Airport+RydgesFortitudeValley. Volunteers. Thank you. #Booksky youtu.be/2pImgodvNms

Peter Rockford Espiritu of @Tau Dance Theatre #Hawaii has landed in #Townsville. Obviously so happy to be here - ready to MC for #FNWF 2025, with all the guest speakers, book launches and awards, and **LIVE** broadcast. WATCH LIVE. #Booksky www.youtube.com/live/4easAGT...

Peter Rockford Espiritu MC #FNWF 2025 has landed in #Sydney from #Hawaii, after choreography in #Tokyo+#Nagoya+#Moana with #Disney. Staying @rydgessydneyairport. Aloha Peter, see you tomorrow in #Townsville. A volunteer WATCH**LIVE** 9.30AM AEST 31st May firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/

Yayayaya Book Launch Posters in #Townsville **WATCH #LIVE**SATURDAY 31ST MAY 9.30 ‘TIL 2PM AEST LIVE BROADCAST ** VIP GUEST SPEAKERS-WINNING #AUTHORS+WEAVER + BOOK #LAUNCHES + NEW #AWARDS SPECIAL FEATURES: #Booksky Watch it *LIVE* ON YOUTUBE firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/

**WATCH #LIVE**SATURDAY 31st MAY 9.30 TIL 2PM AEST LIVE BROADCAST**VIP GUEST SPEAKERS-AWARD WINNING #AUTHORS+WEAVER+BOOK LAUNCHES+NEW #AWARDS. FEATURES: WRITERS CIRCLE+POETRY CIRCLE *LIVE* YOUTUBE, gather friends, CLAP LOUDLY WE'LL HEAR WATCH HERE: firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/ #booksky

#FNWF 2025 welcomes Mabel Gibson, Yamatiji author CRYBABY-#Speaker. Her micro memoir elucidates her young life, love and heartache. She shares an uncomplimented and rich method of telling stories. A great gift. Also joins WRITERS CIRCLE. WATCH LIVE: firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/

#FNWF 2025 VIP Jessika Spencer, Wiradjuri Woman, tells stories through weaving. All over the #Pacific: houses, huts, mats, bags, boats, fishing, bilums: about 15 million weavers. Every woven piece tells a story. Hear and watch her speak at… #Booksky firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/

#FNWF #BooksonHoliday #Mexico. They travel well. Global stories from the #Pacific. #Booksky BUY here... firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/ Festival 31 May **WATCH LIVE** or **WATCH LATER** firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/

VIP Speakers #FNWF 2025: Aunty Bea, Gumbaynggirr Woman; Aunty Joyce, Kamilaroi Woman; Jessika Spencer, Wiradjuri woman; Mabel Gibson, Yamatji woman. All story tellers. indailyqld.com.au/.../first-na.... 30+31 May #Townsville: ***WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER*** firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/

#FNWF started 2021. At FNWF2022 Judges awarded 1 book + 1 short story. FNWF2025: 6 books + 12 short stories. Joshua Torren / THE BANDITS AMONGST US responds '22. The 1st novel published from #solomonislands in 40 years. #booksky www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ai... FNWF2025: WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER.

Most countries of the world, visit your local library and read our books for free. The State Library of New South Wales, in #Sydney, pop in to read one of our books. They have all our books as Legal Depository. A taste of the #Pacific. Or buy #booksky firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/

Our sponsors Rydges Sydney Airport and Rydges Fortitude Valley provide magnificent accommodation to our VIP guest speakers from the #Pacific. Everyone says their rooms are palatial but the restaurants are so good, they are a destination. We agree. Thank you for your support. #Booksky

All FNWF Directors, +Members Circle of Knowledge are volunteers. It is volunteer week in Australia. And Peter Rockford Espiritu has attended Festivals. Despite a hectic career as choreographer Disney Cruise Line. This is what he said at #FNWF 2024. Great wisdom. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpmQ...

So many stories so many mediums. Bilums from PNG tell ancient stories. When you see one, it tells you the region it came from, ancestry, region, language + customs. There is a wealth of knowledge there. #FNWF Cultural Ambassador spoke about bilums at FNWF2022. www.youtube.com/watch?v=geX-...

Did you know #FNWF Story Ambassador was the 1st PNG PNG to be shortlisted in 2023 Commonwealth Short Story prize. #FNWF2025 Baka Barakove Bina will shine a light for First Peoples Stories. You can watch the TALKFEST Live. firstnationswritersfestival.org/events/ www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...?

#FNWF #VOLUNTEERS from day 1. Peter Rockford Espiritu-Hawaii, internationally renowned+awarded choreographer. Plus Executive+ Tau Dance Theatre; recently Disney. Member #FNWF Circle of Knowledge; and MC. Nancy Swanjo Waffi, #PNG, #FNWF Cultural Ambassador. Photo FNWF2022, our inaugural festival.

#FNWF first BOOK #COLLECTOR. Hello Merle, mid North Coast, NSW #Australia. She tells us she has been with #FNWF from the beginning. And is now waiting for the announcement of FNWF2025 #shortstory winners. OUR NEXT ANTHOLOGY. Join Merle, BUY HERE: firstnationswritersfestival.org/books/ #Booksky