You can learn how to do it at this weekend's annual Newcastle Writers Festival.

This year's program includes some of Australia's most well-respected writers, including Helen Garner, Geraldine Doogue, Les Murray, and Marion Halligan.

It also has includes a range of free workshops for those who want to perfect their craft, including sessions on self-publishing, romance and poetry.

Toronto self-published author Francesca Suters will be one of three panelist who will sit in on the session Going It Alone, hosted by Linda Drummond.

Suters, along with Greg Field and Nim Gholkarwill, will help people navigate the complex world of self-publishing.

In 2014 Suters published her first book Returning, about a 29-year-old woman named Rita who one day wakes up as her 16-year-old self, living her 16-year-old life.

Suters juggled her writing with a part-time job and looking after her three children with her husband.

Her book is now available both in paperback form and as an ebook through sites such as Amazon, Book Depository, Booktopia, Kindle and iTunes.

Suters said there were a range of options for people out there, depending on their budget.

"Don't wait around for half your life waiting for someone else to publish your book - just do it yourself," she said.

■ The Newcastle Writers Festival runs from this Friday, March 20 until Sunday, March 22. Going It Alone will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 1.30pm-2.30pm at Newcastle City Hall. Go to newcastlewritersfestival.org.au for a full program of events.