DATE	FESTIVAL
JANUARY 2024
11th-13th	Mandurah Readers and Writers Festival WA This annual adult literature event is presented by City of Mandurah Library & Heritage Services. The aim of the festival is to foster a love of reading and literature and encourage creativity in our community. This year the festival brings together an array of established and emerging storytellers from across WA. The free to attend three-day festival program includes author talks and panel discussions with a wide-ranging selection of authors of fiction and non-fiction works across a variety of topics.
FEBRUARY
9th Feb – 3rd March	Perth Festival, Literature and Ideas WA Bringing conversations with amazing authors and big ideas! Truly remarkable line up of guests including Julia Gillard, Marcia Langton, Shankari Chandran, Christos Tsiolkas, Laura Jean McKay, Brenda Matthews, Molly Schmidt, Rachel Johns, Natasha Lester, Holden Sheppard, Madison Godfrey, AJ Betts, Mark Zining, Nikki Savva and so many more!
10th-11th	Festival of the Photocopier and Zine Fair Vic  This is a festival exclusively for zine fans: creators, readers and collectors.
17th-25th	Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival, Orange, NSW Bush Poetry
22nd-23rd (in person) 26th-28th (virtually)	Beyond the Book Literature Festival, Maroochydore, QLD (Formerly Voices on the Coast) Australia’s premier youth literature festival Guests include: Graham Akhurst, Charlotte Barka, AJ Betts, Zanni Louise, Ellie Marney, Joel McKerrow, Katrina Nannestad, CS Pacat, Mark Smith, Oliver Phommavanh, Briony Stewart and so many more!
22nd-25th	BLUSSH Romance Festival QLD A romance festival for lovers of films and books Venue: Brisbane based event spaces
23rd-25th	Genre Con, Brisbane: In-person & virtual events GenreCon is the leading conference for genre writers
24th	Sydney Muslim Writers’ Festival NSW This vibrant event serves as a dynamic platform for Muslim writers and thinkers to engage in compelling discussions, share their diverse experiences, and celebrate the flourishing literature within the Muslim community.
28th-March 3rd	Glen Eira Storytelling Festival Melbourne, VIC The 13th annual Glen Eira Storytelling Festival is on again in Feb/March this year! Their program is launching soon! Delivered by the Glen Eira Library Service
MARCH
2nd – 21st	Words out West, Dalby, QLD For readers, writers and word-lovers alike, in Western Downs! Schooners and Stories (2.3.24): with William McInnes Books & Bubbles (8.3.24): with Wendy Harmer Festival Day (9.3.24): Guests include Michael Robotham, Kate Mildenhall, Benjamin Stevenson, Karly Lane, Brendan Watkins, Dinuka McKenzie, Michael Atkinson & Claudine Tinellis Writers Workshops 10.3.24): with Matt Davies and Mardie Sands Author Tour (21.3.24): Nikki Mottram
2nd-7th	Adelaide Writers Week SA Adelaide Writers’ Week is Australia’s largest free literary festival, offering both writers and readers a unique opportunity to spend time sharing ideas and literary explorations in a garden setting in Adelaide’s city centre. The 2024 line-up is truly breathtaking with international stars Anne Enright, Elizabeth Strout, Jane Smiley and many more, alongside Australian literary legends, Alexis Wright, Melissa Lukashenko, Christos Tsiolkas, Charlotte Wood, Pip Williams and so many many more! Could be the line-up of the year!
8th-10th	Cairns Tropical Writers Festival QLD The Cairns Tropical Writers Festival was established in 2008 and is a biennial event. 2024 guests inlcude Alexis Wright, Julia Baird, Kate Mildenhall, Mirandi Riwoe, Kate Solly, Myfanwy Jones, Emma Grey, Lisa Wilkinson, Lisa Miller and more!
14th-16th	Manly Writers Festival NSW This inaugural two-and-a-bit day festival for readers, writers, and thinkers will bring together ideas and writing, and explore issues at a time of significant change in the world, as well as simply enjoy great stories. Over 50 leading writers from the Northern Beaches, elsewhere in Australia as well as international writers will gather to celebrate the power of story telling!
14th-17th	Blak and Bright VIC Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival is based in Naarm (Melbourne). Established in 2016, the four day showcase celebrates the diverse expressions of First Nations writers and covers all genres from oral stories to epic novels and plays to poetry. We believe that Blak stories are for everyone.
14th-23rd	Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival, Melbourne VIC This annual event encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, as well as promoting lifelong learning for the Brimbank community
23rd-24th	Clunes Book Town Festival VIC Running from dawn to dusk in the historic township of Clunes in Regional Victoria. A two day festival full of author and artist talks, workshops and live entertainment for the whole family.  Discover the outdoor book bazaar with over a hundred stall holders and immerse yourself in Clunes from cover to cover. It’s worth the visit.
25th-27th	Somerset Story Fest, Gold Coast QLD Delivering a series of literary experiences along with workshops, masterclasses and featured authors throughout the year, Storyfest nurtures emerging writers and provides opportunities for readers and writers alike. Program can be seen here.
APRIL
4th-7th	Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield NSW The 2024 theme is ‘Thanks for the Memories’. Australian bush poetry, literature and music
5th-7th	Newcastle Writers Festival NSW 2024 guests include the Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Melissa Lucashenko, AND New York Times bestseller Sally Hepworth. Other writers include Charlotte Wood, Nam Le, Christos Tsiolkas, David Marr. The full program will be available from February 16 and tickets go on sale the same day.
11th-14th	Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong, VIC The MFSR Bush Festival Poetry and Music Competition started in 1995 and is now regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the country. Over 25 years Jan Lewis created an iconic calendar event that will now be carried into the future by a new generation of poetry devotees.
20th-21st	Swancon 48 Perth, WA In 2024 we are returning to The Rise in Maylands for a two day convention. Come along to share in our love for Science Fiction and Fantasy in print, TV, art, gaming and other forms!
19th-5th May	Stratford Shakespeare Festival Stratford, VIC For 30 years Stratford has hosted The Shakespeare on the River Festival, centered around the works and life of William Shakespeare. In 2024 there will be more than 20 events across two weeks. Come see the Community Players take on ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’, revel at The Bard’s Banquet and then on Sunday May 5 join in the fun of The Medieval Market Faire Day on the Village Green to close off another festival. With a grand variety of traditional arts and crafts, food and beverages, fresh produce, together with live music, workshops and displays, there is something for everyone.
25th-28th	Sorrento Writers Festival VIC After delivering a hugely successful inaugural festival, Corrie Perkin and her team are back in 2024 to deliver another cracking weekend of literary events. We highly recommend you join their mailing list to ensure you have first dibs on what promises to be another brilliant bookish weekend.
20th-21st	Writers at the Woolshed, Wagga Wagga NSW Writers’ at the Woolshed 2024 brings you eight incredible writers and one internationally renowned portrait artist.
MAY
8th-12th	Melbourne Writers Festival VIC
9th	ABIA Awards VIC The Awards will be held in Melbourne, at Zinc Fed Square. Save the date for a star-studded night, which celebrates the significant achievements of the teams and individuals who get books into the hands of Australian readers.
17th-18th	Kyogle Writers Festival NSW The Kyogle Readers and Writers is a community-led organisation that seeks to celebrate the very best of Australian story-telling in an effort to enhance the cultural life of our region by hosting regular events, large and small throughout the year, alongside our writer in residence and annual poetry competition programs.
17th-19th	Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival WA This festival is the flagship annual literature event of Arts Margaret River. It is a 3-day storytelling spectacular featuring top Australian writers, journalists, innovators and big thinkers.
16th-19th	Write Here, Lake Macquarie, NSW Write Here is a place for writers and readers to be inspired. Hear tips, tricks and tales from local and visiting authors across three days of workshops, discussions and presentations
18th-19th	KidLitVic Vic ONLINE KidLitVic – Meet the Publishers was established to enable new, emerging and experienced writers and illustrators the opportunity to meet and hear from industry professionals about publishing children’s and YA books in the current Australian market. Every year, KidLitVic- Meet the Publishers has proven to be a SELLOUT event.
23rd-June 2nd	Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Stall Holder Fair VIC Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Events
20th-26th	Sydney Writers Festival NSW Each year, more than 400 writers take part in over 300 conversations, debates, performances and panel discussions to audiences of more than 80,000. “Australia’s most beloved celebration of literature, stories and ideas”
29th-June 3rd	Words on the Waves, Central Coast, NSW Immerse yourself in a festival of stories and ideas on the scenic Central Coast
30th-June 2nd	Brisbane Writers Festival QLD As Australia’s oldest continuous writers’ festival, BWF has a long and storied history of connecting communities, showcasing creativity and finding just the right words.
31st May-June 2nd	Denmark Festival of Voice WA To Be Confirmed**
JUNE
7th-9th	Bellingen Writers Festival NSW A line-up of literary talent, workshops, readings and displays comes to the picturesque town. The full program is still being finalised and will be released closer to the festival date.
7th-9th	Hobart Women Writers Festival TAS The Festival of Women Writers has become a highly anticipated event, unique among cultural happenings in the Catskill Region, especially in Delaware County.
7th-10th	Woodend Winter Arts Vic The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is an annual celebration, showcasing the very best of classical music from Australia and internationally, along with a literary and visual arts program. The event takes place across various venues in the village of Woodend in the Macedon Ranges.
8th	WordFest, Toowoomba, QLD Author expo – more details to follow
12th-16th	Winterwords, Beechworth VIC Winterwords is so much more than a writers’ festival; it is five days of talking, listening, watching, and doing which aims to foster the celebration of words!
14th-16th	Willy Lit Fest, Williamstown VIC This a two-day literary festival takes place in the Town Hall and Library in Williamstown. It features more than 80 authors participating in 50 events and is run by a volunteer committee of locals, supplemented by more than 30 volunteers at festival time.
18th-20th	Outback Writers Festival, Winton, QLD Held annually in Winton, Queensland, this festival aims to engage writers and readers in Australian stories. Another aim is to encourage the children of isolated and rural families and indigenous children to engage in more reading and writing of stories that they can associate with.
27th-30th	NT Writers Festival, Alice Springs NT The NT Writers Festival (NTWF) is a four-day festival that emphasises Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity, bringing people together to share story, language and culture. The 2024 theme is reverberations.
TBA	Capricorn Coast Writers Festival, Yeppoon, Qld Stories by the sea! 2024 will be the fourth year of this festival, usually held in June with dates yet to be announced
TBA	Jugiong Writers Festival NSW The Festival celebrates diverse Australian writers and stories, and is an opportunity for audiences to engage with literature and new ideas in a smaller regional setting.
TBA	Logan Writers Festival QLD
TBA	Denmark Festival of Voice WA Music, storytelling, spoken word, poetry
TBA	Monash Word Fest Vic WordFest is Council’s annual literature festival brought to you by the Monash Public Library Service usually in the months of June or July. Dates to be advised.
TBA	Word Fest, Towoomba QLD An exciting festival of writing, reading, authors, poetry, illustration, and wordplay for all ages and tastes – a feast of WORDS!
JULY
6th – in person	CYA Conference Brisbane, Qld Children, Young Adult, and Adult Writers’ and Illustrators’ Conference, is a conference for writers and illustrators of all ages, all genres. This conference offers a wide range of professional development sessions that cater to various writing genres, including children’s board books and fiction novels for adults. Online conference: 13-14 July
13th	Riverina Readers Festival NSW A new festival for the calendar! More details to be announced!
18th-21st	Mildura Writers Festival VIC Held in July, the Mildura Writers Festival presents four days of words, food and wine featuring Australian and international writers.
26th-28th	Apollo Bay WordFest VIC For more than 30 years, we’ve been committed to bringing great Australian writing to Victoria’s south-west shores. Join us for a celebration of words: written, spoken, debated, performed, sung.  Guests for the 2024 festival include: Shankari Chandran, Anna Kate Blair, Kgshak Akec, Margaret Hickety, Rijn Collins, Zana Fraillon, Jordan Goulr & Richard Pritchard
25th-27th	Melbourne Rare Book Fair VIC Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne
TBA	StoryFest, Yarram VIC
AUGUST
	Red Room Poetry Month
3rd	Writing NSW Kids & YA Festival Writing NSW is pleased to announce that our Kids & YA Festival will return on Saturday 3 August 2024. The festival is a popular event for adult writers who create work for children and young adults, and this year will be directed by multi award-winning and bestselling author Jacqueline Harvey
2nd-4th	Phillip Island Festival of Stories, VIC
5th-11th	Story Arts Festival, Ipswich QLD The StoryArts Festival Ipswich began in 1995 as the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature and has been held every two years since then. The festival offers FREE sessions for children. The Ipswich Festival is organised and funded mainly by the Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network.
9th-11th	Byron Writers Festival NSW
16th-18th	Bendigo Writers Festival VIC A big-hearted festival in the heart of Central Victoria. Books are their focus because books bring out the very best writing, making good thinking available to people across time and place. 2024 program is yet to be announced.
16th-18th	Romance Writers of Australia Conference, Glenelg, SA
17th-18th	Mudgee Readers Festival NSW The Mudgee Readers’ Festival — now in its thirteenth year — exists to share the joy of reading with our vibrant community. MRF is run by a passionate and dedicated team of volunteers, with essential support from Mid-Western Regional Council libraries.
21st-25th	Sydney Jewish Writers Festival NSW
22nd-25th	Red Dirt Poetry Festival NT The poetry festival in the heart of Australia that brings in poets from around the Territory with visiting interstate and international poets. The program is yet to be released.
23rd-25th	Dunkeld Writers Festival VIC 2024 will see the third writers festival in picturesque Dunkeld. Program yet to be announced but is another very much-loved local festival.
26th-28th	Somerset Storyfest – South West QLD St George region – more details to follow
TBA	Southcoast Writers Festival, NSW
TBA	Local Word Geelong VIC This is a two-day event, featuring writers and creative workshops at Libraries across the region, followed by a full day program where everyone comes together at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, supported by book sales and signings.
TBA	Story Arts Festival, Ipswich, QLD The StoryArts Festival Ipswich began in 1995 as the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature and has been held every two years since then
TBA	Words In Winter, Daylesford, VIC Words in Winter is an annual literary and arts festival held in August each year in the Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts
TBA	Sonic Poetry Festival, Melbourne VIC (possibly late August/early September TBC) Sonic Poetry Festival is a community-based grassroots poetry and spoken word festival based in Melbourne / Naarm.
SEPTEMBER
4th-6th	Somerset Storyfest – Out West QLD Longreach
5th-15th	Emerging Writers Festival VIC EWF provides opportunities for emerging writers to develop professionally, and supports them to engage new and larger audiences.
6th-8th	Western Port Writes Literary Festival, Somers Vic A new literary festival in September 2024 celebrating stories in Western Port, Mornington Peninsula. More details to be available soon.
6th-8th	Port Fairy Literary Weekend VIC The Port Fairy Literary Weekend is a not-for-profit cultural organisation, set up to celebrate and promote Australian writing, to bring authors from across Australia to our corner of the world, and in so doing build networks and engagement between writers and readers. Jo Canham and her team deliver a stunning festival weekend! Literary Listings was a guest at the 2023 festival and we rate this as one of the warmest, most entertaining and intimate festivals on our list!
6th-8th	Whitsundays Writers Festival QLD This three day event will comprise an engaging mixture of genres from crime to memoir, romance to screenwriting, and more, as well as interactive workshops, panel discussions and author talks. Location: Airlie Beach
10th-12th	Somerset Storyfest – Central Queensland Storyfest is making its way to Emerald! Details to follow!
11th-15th	Write Around the Murray NSW Write Around the Murray is a celebration of reading, writing, illustration and storytelling held in Albury Wodonga each year. This is another incredible entertaining and intimate writers festival!
12th-14th	Bad Crime Sydney Writers Festival Sydney NSW The BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival is an annual event that explores what crime can tell us about human beings today and in the past. Speakers include writers, reporters and film-makers, and professionals from the justice system such as detectives, judges and psychologists.
26th-Oct 13th	North Australian Festival of Stories Townsville QLD Townsville City Council presents the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA), a celebration of arts, culture, inclusion, and community. During the festival period, NAFA transforms Townsville with eclectic and vibrant events that include comedy, dance, theatre, circus, music, visual arts, cabaret, workshops and so much more.
27th-29th	Northern Beaches Readers Festival NSW The Northern Beaches Readers’ Festival Inc is an event focused on connecting readers with popular Australian authors, that will feature some of Australia’s leading authors in panel discussions and more intimate ‘in conversation’ events. Located in the picturesque beachside village of Avalon, 37km north of the Sydney CBD.
TBA	Scribblers, Claremont, WA Scribblers Festival is an annual festival of literature and arts for young people, brought to life by cultural non-profit FORM with the support of our amazing partners across Western Australia. Events are run for young people and the young at heart, including an amazing Scribblers Family Festival in the Perth CBD, The Golden Pen Writing Competition, the Golden Feather Hunt, and a Scribblers on the Road travelling program that will be visiting the Pilbara and beyond in 2024.
TBA	Fish Creek Fishy Stories Vic Fishy Stories is where kids young and old… will be able to meet each other, guided and motivated by recognised wonderful authors, illustrators and performers, who will assist children to become  authors, illustrators and story tellers.
TBA	Dubbo Writers Festival NSW
TBA	Rose Scott Womens‘ Festival NSW The Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival was established in 2013 and showcases the rich diversity of genres in which contemporary Australian women writers explore issues of personal, social and political concern. The Festival features Australian women writers of fiction and non-fiction, in print, performance, film and electronic media.
TBA	National Young Writers Festival The National Young Writers’ Festival (NYWF) is an annual gathering of young writers. A place to show work, share ideas, and learn. Programs are free, and made by and for young writers who create across stage, page, web and beyond.
TBA	Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival, Geraldton, WA
TBA	Shire Writers Festival, Sutherland Shire, NSW – biennial festival The Writers Unleashed Festival is a growing community and literary event in the Sutherland Shire in Southern Sydney. With a strong focus on championing emerging and local writers, and showcasing Australian literary talent from a wide range of genres, the Festival aims to encourage aspiring writers and help readers to connect with their favourite authors.
OCTOBER
11th-14th	Tamar Valley Writers Festival TAS Set amid vineyards, Launceston’s historic architectural beauty, or with natural bushland as a backdrop the Tamar Valley Writers Festival is a treasured part of Tasmania’s cultural calendar and one of the largest writers festivals outside a capital city in Australia.
12th-13th	Tasmanian Poetry Festival TAS The Tasmanian Poetry Festival commenced in 1985 and is held annually, normally over the first full weekend in October, but this may change. Local and guest poets are invited to Launceston to share their work at a range of events held over the Festival weekend.
18th-20th	Headland Writers Festival Tathra, NSW Across three days, the spectacular Tathra headland will serve as a backdrop to an abundance of author in-conversations, panel discussions, workshops, poetry, exhibitions, theatre and music performances.
18th-27th	Queenscliffe Literary Festival VIC The Queenscliffe Literary Festival is a celebration of Australian writers, books and ideas featuring some of our finest authors and thinkers in a program of events designed to stimulate thought and discussion.
23rd-27th	Canberra Writers Festival ACT Moving to a spring, the Canberra Writers Festival promises a joyful collision of art-makers, big thinkings and storytellers. The program will include master classes, dinners, author talks, panel discussions, workshops, book launches and performances. Program yet to be released but when it is, links will be included here!
23rd-27th	Ubud Writers Festival A yearly pilgrimage for word lovers worldwide, the Ubud Writers Festival transcends cultural and physical borders, inviting both artists and audiences to enjoy and participate in public discussions, intimate literary lunches, live performances and hands-on workshops where budding writers can learn new skills and get feedback from experts.
25th-27th	Berry Writers Festival, NSW Three days of ideas and inspiration in the beautiful historic village of Berry. The Festival will feature emerging and distinguished authors from many writing genres as well as thinkers and creatives who will share their insights and experience.
TBA	Australian Muslim Writers Festival
TBA	Headland Writers Festival, Tathra NSW
TBA	High Country Writers Festival, Glen Innes, NSW
TBA	Perth Poetry Festival WA The annual Poetry Festival is organised by WA Poets Inc and features invited international, national and local poets plus ample opportunities for public participation in a diverse program of free and low cost events. Professional development is also supported through workshops, seminars, panels and networking opportunities.
TBA	Terror Australis TAS (TARWF) is Australia’s southern-most literary festival, a celebration of books, writing and community in the glorious Huon Valley, Tasmania.
NOVEMBER
1st-3rd	Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival (NSW) Presented by Varuna, the National Writers’ House, the Festival will take place in Katoomba amid the spectacular surrounds of the world-heritage listed Blue Mountains. The program is yet to be released.
8th-10th	Australian Short Story Festival Perth (WA) An exciting program will include writing workshops, panel discussions, interviews, a literary mock-debate and a great deal of fun, featuring some of the best short story writers from around Australia and from overseas.
TBA	Fish Creek Fishy Stories (VIC) Fishy Stories is where kids young and old… will be able to meet each other, guided and motivated by recognised wonderful authors, illustrators and performers, who will assist children to become  authors, illustrators and story tellers.
TBA	Small Press Network, Independent Publishers Conference The 2023 Independent Publishing Conference is held over three days  at Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre and live streamed online.
TBA	Phillip Island Festival of Stories VIC Inspiring, uplifting, entertaining, challenging and thought-provoking, no topic is off limits as Phillip Island Festival of Stories empowers a diverse group of people to tell their tales in their favourite form.
DECEMBER
1st-16th	Australian Literature Festival at the Sea  An opportunity to sail among esteemed writers on board Queen Elizabeth, this five-night roundtrip voyage, sails from Sydney with calls in Tasmania.
	Yet to be confirmed festivals
	Stonnington Lit Fest VIC
	Bathurst Writers and ReadersFestival NSW
	Castlemaine State Festival – Dialogues VIC
	Context Writers Festival Adelaide, SA Context Writers Festival is a free, three-day festival for writers to connect and share new conversations about story and film.
	Corrugated Lines Festival of Words Broome, WA
	Football Writers Festival, NSW
	HNSA (Historical Novel Society of Australia) NSW
	Latrobe Literary Festival VIC
	Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival VIC There will not be a festival in 2024 – individual events will be held throughout the year.
	Melbourne Jewish Book Week VIC
	Mountain Writers Festival Macedon Ranges, VIC
	National Editors & Writers Conference VIC
	Shoalhaven Readers and Writers Festival NSW
	Scone Literary Festival Upper Hunter, NSW
2025	StoryFest, Milton, NSW 19-25 June, 2025 StoryFest is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms – oral, written, prose, poetry, song or film.