How I Got Here: The Director of the Sorrento Writers Festival on connecting authors and audiences

“To present a gathering of great ideas that brings people of all ages together – a workday doesn’t get better than that.”

Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how on earth they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While the internet and social media might have us believe that our ideal job is a mere pipe dream, the individuals who have these jobs were, believe it or not, in the same position once, fantasising over someone else’s seemingly unattainable job.

But behind the awe-inspiring titles and the fancy work events lies a heck of a lot of hard work. So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?

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Welcome to How I Got Here, where we talk to women who are killing it in their respective fields about how they landed their awe-inspiring jobs, exploring the peaks and pits, the failures and the wins, and most importantly the knowledge, advice and practical tips they’ve gleaned along the way.

This week we speak to Corrie Perkin, Director of the Sorrento Writers Festival, journalist and podcaster. A bibliophile from a young age, Corrie landed her first job as a cadet reporter at 17. Over the next three decades, she used her love of words to forge a dynamic career working as a writer and editor.

In 2009, Corrie’s direction changed when she opened her independent Hawksburn bookstore, My Bookshop. But when the challenges of COVID led to closed doors, her idea for a community writers festival – now known as Sorrento Writers Festival – was born. Here’s what Corrie learnt along the way.

What do you do and what’s your official job title?

Director of the Sorrento Writers Festival, journalist and podcaster.

Take us back to when you were first starting out. Did you study to get into your chosen field, or did you start out with an internship/entry-level role and climb the ladder? Tell us the story.

My journey started with a love of books nurtured by my dad, who was a great bedtime story reader, a journalist and a fanatical bookworm. I was lucky enough to turn my passion for words into my career. At 17, I was hired as a cadet reporter for The Age and over the next three decades, went on to work in a variety of editing and writing roles.

Then, in 2009, I opened a bookshop in Melbourne and for the next 12 years learned about the book business via my own venture. It was a steep and fascinating learning curve, which allowed me to bring books to readers and introduce writers to their fans.

After closing the bookshop, a festival that brings writers and readers together seemed like an obvious next step. And that’s how I landed on bringing the Sorrento Writers Festival to life!

What challenges/hurdles have you faced getting to where you are now? Can you tell us about one in particular?

The famous Melbourne lockdowns brought about by the COVID pandemic presented most Victorians with challenges, difficulties and, in some cases, life-changing moments. In July 2021, on the eve of yet another lockdown, we closed the doors to our bookshop business. After 12 years of working with a wonderful community of customers, writers, publishers and suppliers, we had to walk away.

It was traumatic, tough and sad. But out of tragedy, unexpected good things can come to the fore. My husband and I left Melbourne and moved to our beach house as full-time residents. I missed connections with the arts, with writers and with books. That’s when I started to wonder about the potential of a community writers festival here on the Mornington Peninsula. Might it work? Might people come?

What do you want people to know about your industry/your role?

When it comes to putting together the festival, event planning demands a lot of energy, thinking time, meetings, discussions, planning and follow-ups. It is also one of the most satisfying roles I have taken on. To present a gathering of great ideas that brings people of all ages together – a workday doesn’t get better than that.

What’s the best part about your role?

 

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Every hour of the day is fun. But, for me, the best part of this Festival Director role is having a chance to connect authors and audiences together. It is hugely satisfying to know that through your own event, some of Australia’s finest minds and most creative writing talents will get to meet their readers, their fans and their admirers.

What would surprise people about your role?

The fact that I do most of it on my bed. My bedroom has a beautiful view of Moonah trees and the valley beyond. Most days you’ll find me on my bed, laptop at the ready, notebooks and Post-It notes everywhere, planning the Sorrento Writers Festival.

What skills have served you well in your industry?

An ability to write clear and accurate copy, quickly and to a deadline. I can fly through emails pretty quickly, and each day composes a vast range of festival-related correspondence – from a marketing prop to a letter to the local mayor, a note to an author or copy for our festival program.

I am also an interviewer by training, so finding out information and chatting with writers, stakeholders and colleagues remain highlights of my working day.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a role like yours one day?

Have a dream and always believe you can achieve it. And, to quote Nike’s advertising campaign, “Just do it!”. If people doubt your capabilities or question your funding streams or your business plan, just do it. Evidence is a great persuader and people will then come on the journey with you.

What about a practical tip? 

Keep notes. I am a big believer in the power of actually writing things down by hand – I think we retain information better when we do this. With every conversation, I have a clean page, a date, a time and the name/s of those in the chat. And then over time, I go back to those notes. It’s amazing how many great ideas you forget.

Read the rest of the How I Got Here series here.

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