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THE 2014 Southern Highlands Writers' Festival (SHWF) has been described as the biggest one yet.
Festival director Michaela Bolzan said she was delighted with the response to the festival.
Ms Bolzan estimated that 1000 people attended across the three days at Bradman Museum.
"It is our third festival and definitely the biggest in terms of festival goers," she said.
"We are delighted by the support the local community is giving us and we hope it continues well into the future."
SHWF began on Friday night with a full house at Bradman for the annual Fest Factor talent quest.
The quest's theme was "Blood" and attendees embraced the spirit of the night by dressing up. Costumes included a pirate, surgeon, vampire and Saneia Norton dressed as a human-sized ketchup bottle (pictured right).
Fest Factor was hosted by Nick Rheinberger and the talent quest was judged by James Norton, Sarah Dowland and Jon Collins.
Sydney's Annie Eyres was declared the winner with her original riddle about blood.
Ms Eyres won a one-week retreat at The Coach House, Bowral, valued at $5000.
Highlanders and visitors alike continued to embrace SHWF on Saturday and Sunday.
Guest speakers included authors Hugh Mackay, Nikki Gemmell, Bob Carr, Gideon Haigh and Mike Carlton. Another highlight of SHWF was the literary dinner at Biota Dining on Saturday night. Dishes were prepared by award-winning chef Stephano Manfredl. Ms Bolzan said the festival offered something for everyone.
"A big part of our success this year was we had a really interesting mixture of well-known authors," she said.
"Many sessions were sold out in advance."