The event starts on September 10 with 60 events, workshops and writing sessions, and a focus on comedy and crime.

Former Scared Weird Little Guys member Rusty Berther unveiled the program for the event in Albury yesterday.

“I love books, I love reading, I love language,” he said.

“When Scared Weird Little Guys broke up in 2011, I decided I wanted to do some sort of crazy challenge.

“I went to Antarctica and ran a marathon, which led into the first book and then led into the second book.

“When I came back from Antarctica I wrote every day for three months and it wasn’t really a difficult process.

“The second one was much more tricky, relating other people’s stories and writing in my own voice.”

The book, titled What, and Give up Showbiz?, covers bad show business stories from comedians including Wil Anderson and Dave Hughes.

“They’re stories about hecklers, small audiences, bad introductions, bad travel stories, stabbings, bikies, footy clubs ... all that sort of good stuff,” Berther said with a laugh.

Berther will be joined by respected journalist Chris Masters, crime writer Michael Robotham and comedians Wendy Harmer and Fiona O’Loughlin during the four-day event.

Festival co-ordinator Ann-maree Ellis said it would be the best program the festival had put on.

Visit writearoundthemurray.org.au.