There will also be storytelling for children, a haiku poetry workshop and a “poetry and pizza” reading for writers aged between 12 and 25. 

Ghostboy is the stage name for poet and performer David Stavanger, who will attend this week’s festival, along with poet Matt Hetherington. 

 Mount Isa librarian Samantha Schraag said the library had intended to hold an event to celebrate Queensland Writers Week after a lot of interest was generated during last year’s event. But the Queensland Writer’s Centre and ABC Open encouraged Mount Isa City Library to hold its own festival, she said, and so it did. 

Ms Schraag said a festival such as this would create visibility for many of Mount Isa’s writers and poets. 

“That’s why a festival like this is really important,” she said. 

Mayor Tony McGrady said writing was a necessary skill for people wanting to go far in life. 

It was essential to develop a coherent thought process in order to make an argument, he said. 

“If you can’t express yourself, you go nowhere,” Cr McGrady said. 

“Just imagine what society would be like if it wasn’t for the Shakespeares.” 

■The Mount Isa Writers Festival begins today at the Mount Isa City Library from 10am. 

■Stories of Stories will be held from 10am to midday. 

■Storytelling for Children will be held from 2pm to 3pm. 

■Tomorrow, the Ginko Haiku Walk will be held from 12.30pm to 2pm. 

■The Poetry and Pizza workshop will be held from 2pm to 5pm. 

■On Friday, the Poetry and Readings with Ghostboy and Matt Hetherington will be held from 10am to midday. 

■Digital Storytelling will be held from 1pm to 3.30pm. 

■Writing for Publication will be held from 4pm to 6pm. 

■On Saturday, the ABC Open Digital Storytelling will be held from 9.30am to 11.30am. 

■The closing morning tea and local readings will be held from 11.45am to 1pm. 

■Bookings are not essential for workshops.