Australian Writers Festivals, 2025

DATE	FESTIVAL
JANUARY 2025
6th-24th	Merribek Libraries Summer Storyfest Summer StoryFest is a children’s and youth literature festival presented by Merri-bek Libraries! StoryFest will feature author talks, workshops and activities across all five of our library branches and beyond, with events for all ages
12th	Indie Author Book Fair VIC (Barwon Heads) The Book Reality Experience presents the 2nd Annual Indie Author Summer Book Fair, which celebrates stories from children’s books through to horror, sci-fi, fantasy and every genre in between.
16th-18th	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. The free 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
8th	Trans Book Festival Vic (Wheeler Centre) The Trans Book Festival is a day to celebrate the talents, courage and creativity of trans and gender diverse authors.
8th-9th	Festival of the Photocopier and Zine Fair Vic  This is a festival exclusively for zine fans: creators, readers and collectors, held at the Kensington Town Hall
9th	Trans Book Festival VIC The Trans Book Festival is a day to celebrate the talents, courage and creativity of trans and gender diverse authors. Venue: Wheeler Centre
14th-15th	BLUSSH Romance Festival QLD A romance festival for lovers of films and books Venue: Brisbane
21st–24th	Society of Women Writers – For the Love of Writing Festival VIC 21st: In person – For the love of writing – Write On Launch! 22nd – 24th: ONLINE – Author talks, writing workshop & poetry
25th-March 2nd	Genre Con, QLD GenreCon is the leading conference for genre writers Venue: State Library, Brisbane
13th-17th	Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival, Orange, NSW This year’s festival marks the 161st anniversary of Banjo Paterson’s birthday and is host to an enticing and intriguing program of events celebrating the life, times and work of Banjo Paterson, Australian literature and bush poetry.
MARCH
1st – 6th	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. 2026 dates: 28th Feb – March 6
4th – 22nd	Words out West, Dalby, QLD For readers, writers and word-lovers alike, in Western Downs! School Days 4th, Dalby Events Centre, 5th Chinchilla Cultural Precint Schooners and Stories 8th march Books & Bubbles 15th March Festival Weekend 15 & 16 March Writers Retreat 22nd March
6th-9th	Scone Literary Festival NSW Celebrating all Word Makers! Held in the Upper Hunter every two years, the Scone Literary Festival is a three-day celebration of words, creativity and communication. Check out this year’s program here!
8th-9th	All About Women Festival NSW All About Women is the Sydney Opera House’s centerpiece talks festival about gender, justice, and equality, held annually in the week of International Women’s Day. For over a decade, the celebrated event has filled our venues with inspiring moments and buzzy, agenda-setting conversations.
13th-22nd	Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival, Melbourne VIC The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival (BWRF) is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, and promotes lifelong learning in Brimbank. In 2025, the festival will celebrate its 20th year!
15th-16th	Words at Wagstaffe by Words on the Waves NSW Central Coast Words out West is back with an exciting line up bringing together celebrated authors, poets and storytellers! Guests include: Christian White, Holly Ringland, Stephanie Trethewey, Gordon Bray, Li Cunxin, Matthew Condon, Hayley Scrivenor, Vicki Bennett, Nikki Mottram, Maya Linnell, Georgie Harper, Claudine Tinellis, Sarah Todman, David Kelly, Sarah Armstrong, Kell Woods, Natalie Murray, Cristy Burne, Chris Collin, Charlotte Barkla, Geordie Lillis, Jordan Gould.
22nd-23rd	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. 2026 dates: 21 – 22 March
22nd	Australian Romance Readers QLD, Brisbane A Romantic Rendevous with Nalini Singh & Julie Ann Walker
23rd	Australian Romance Readers NSW, Sydney A Romantic Rendevous with Nalini Singh & Julie Ann Walker
28th-30th	Footscray West Writers Fest From poetry in a wine bar and bookshop ramblings to library workshops and performances at a pizza restaurant. Don’t miss this fun, immersive and entirely original celebration of storytelling in the west.
28th-30th	Manly Writers Festival NSW This three 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. Football Writers Festival now part of of Manly Writers Festival, as of 2025 2026 dates: March 20 – 22
29th-30th	Woollahra Writers’ Festival Guests include: Shirley Hazzard, Nicole Abadee, Anna Funder, Suzie Miller, Kate Evans, James O’Loughlin, Suzanne Leal, Richard Morecroft  Tim Olsen Christabel Blackman and Diana Reid Time: 10am – 3pm Saturday, 10am – 2pm Sunday. Venue: 63 Jersey Road, Woollahra
29th	Oz Romance Readers – A Romantic Rendezvous VIC, Melbourne A Romantic Rendevous with Nalini Singh & Julie Ann Walker
30th	Australian Romance Readers WA, Perth A Romantic Rendevous with Nalini Singh & Julie Ann Walker
Back in 2026!	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.
APRIL
1st-3rd	Somerset Storyfest, 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.
4th-6th	Newcastle Writers Festival NSW This festival is one of the largest regional literary festivals in Australia. A small but dedicated team works hard to present the festival each year, including Program Manager Amy Lovat, Digital Manager Zoe Drew, Volunteer Coordinator Louise Mackay, Artist Logistics Manager Cherrie Sheldrick, and Story Hunter Coordinator Emma Biddle. 2026 dates: 27-29 April
5th	Scribblers on the Road (WA) is returning to the Pilbara for the third year, bringing a free storytelling and arts festival to regional schools and libraries. We’re also excited to announce that next year, we’ll be heading to the Goldfields, with a bus full of global creative stars.
10th-13th	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.
12th	Fitzroy Writers Festival, Vic The Fitzroy Writers Festival is back in 2025! Join us under the chandeliers of Fitzroy’s first public library for a stellar line-up of writers, thinkers and artists. Events include: Fitzroy Food Now, New Crime Fiction, Rebecca Huntley on Sassafras, Melnaie Cheng in conversation with Tony Birch, George Megalogenis in conversation with Sean Kelly
24th-27th	Sorrento Writers Festival VIC The Sorrento Writers Festival returns to the Mornington Peninsula from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th April with a vast program that celebrates Australia’s finest writers, speakers, creatives and storytellers.  2026 dates: 23 – 26 April
27th April -17th 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. Featured event: LITERARY AFTERNOON TEA, Women In Fiction, The Force Awakens!
27th	The Greek-Australian Writers’ Festival Guests include: Kirily Dimitriadis, Karen Martin, EmilyTsokos Purtill, Will Kotsakis, George Kouvaros, Nikos Papastergiadis, Shelley Dark, Dr Anastasia Hronis and more Time: 9am – 6pm Venue: Prince Henry Centre, Little Bay
	Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield NSW The 2024 theme is ‘Thanks for the Memories’. Australian bush poetry, literature and music 2024 was the final festival for this committee 🙁
MAY
2nd-4th	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. 2026 dates: 1 – 3 May
7th	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.
8th-11th	Melbourne Writers Festival VIC MWF returns from  in May 2025 to ignite the city with stories, ideas and the transformative magic of words.
16th-18th	Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Events VIC Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Stall Holder Fair VIC
16th-18th	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.
17th	Addi Road Festival NSW Gumbramorra Hall (GH) and the Greek Theatre (GT)
19th-27th	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”.
28th – June 1st	Words on the Waves NSW (Central Coast) Words on the Waves is the first writers festival to take place on the Central Coast, and each year in June it offers an array of author talks, workshops, cinema screenings, literary cruises, book launches and more.
29th-June 1st	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.
30th-June 1st	Capricorn Coast Writers Festival QLD Stories by the Sea – back for the fourth year in 2025!
31st May	KidLitVic Meet the Publishers Conference Melbourne Town Hall
May 30th – June 1st	Denmark Festival of Voice WA Denmark Festival celebrates its 22nd year in 2025! Looking forward to news of their theme and program!
No event 2025	Midcoast Festival of Stories NSW (by Midcoast Council Libraries: Gloucester, Forster, Taree) Mingle with local authors, enjoy the best of the Sydney Writers Festival and explore the many ways to tell a tale – whether through cooking, dance or beyond!
JUNE
30th May – June 1st	Capricorn Coast Writers Festival, Yeppoon, Qld Stories by the sea! 2024 will be the fourth year of this festival. Held in June across three days, the program is out now.
3rd June – 3rd July	Monash Word Fest Vic WordFest is Monash Council’s annual literature festival brought to you by the Monash Public Library Service. The festival brings readers and writers together for a series of author talks, writing workshops and the Monash Short Story Writing Competition.
6th-8th	Bellingen Writers Festival NSW A line-up of literary talent, workshops, readings and displays comes to the picturesque town.
6th-9th	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.
7th-8th	Melbourne ComicCon Melbourne Exhibition Centre
14th	Kyogle Readers & Writers Mini-Fest NSW The Kyogle Readers and Writers are very excited to announce the return of Literary Allsorts, which will take place on June 14, 2025.
14th-15th	Australian Fairy Tale Conference NSW Sydney
21st-22nd	Regional Writers Rise Traralgon & Moe, VIC Returning in Gippsland for the second year – see their website for program details.
June 21st to July 12th	Glen Eira Storytelling Festival Melbourne, VIC Each year, the Glen Eira Storytelling Festival brings our community together with a series of events and programs for all ages and interests. Delivered by the Glen Eira City Council
19th-22nd	Storyfest NSW (Ulladulla) StoryFest is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms – oral, written, prose, poetry, song or film.
20th-22nd	Willy Lit Fest, Williamstown VIC This a three-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.
20th-28th	Q-Lit Writers Festival VIC Various venues across Melbourne
24th-27th	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-28th	Rose Scott Women’s Writers Festival NSW The 2025 festival will open with Suzanne Chick discussing her newly released memoir, Searching for Charmian (Summit, April 2025), in a conversation with her daughter Gina Chick (We Are the Stars, Summit); and continue with panels and discussions featuring Sophie Gee, Tracey Spicer, Hannah Kent, Jane Caro, Antoinette Lattouf, and Sara Saleh. Two keynotes will close the program: Charlotte McConaghy in conversation with Melissa Lee Speyer, and Tasma Walton in conversation with Bronte Charles.
No festival 2025	WordFest Toowoomba, QLD An exciting festival of writing, reading, authors, poetry, illustration, and wordplay for all ages and tastes – a feast of WORDS!
No festival 2025	Logan Writers Festival QLD This is a South East QLD festival for readers to find their new favourite local authors and for writers to celebrate their craft.
TBA	Words Speak Louder Toowoomba QLD The Lighthouse Toowoomba will be facilitating Words Speak Louder a youth writers festival for anyone looking to sit in on workshops run by some incredible creative people.
JULY
5th-6th	South Coast Readers & Writers Festival NSW Thirroul
12th	Riverina Readers Festival Wagga Wagga, NSW Held on the banks of the beautiful Murrumbidgee River, the Riverina Readers Festival is a one day reading festival that aims to bring the Riverina community together through the celebration of reading in all its forms.
12th&13th 19th&20th	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.
17th-20th	Mildura Writers Festival VIC Held in July, the Mildura Writers Festival presents four days of words, food and wine featuring Australian and international writers.
18th-27th	Noosa Alive QLD Dates for the Literary Events TBA
23rd-25th	IPEd Conference, SA The IPEd conference is the premier conference for editors in Australia nad New Zealand
25th-27th	Apollo Bay WordFest VIC For more than 30 years the good folk of Apollo Bay have celebrated words:written, spoken, debated, performed, sung.  2025 will be no exception with an incredible line-up already planned! Stay tuned for author announcements and plan a lovely warm weekend of words in Apollo Bay in 2025.
25th-27th	Southern Highlands Writers Festival NSW The Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival (SHWF) was established in 2012 in the NSW country town of Bowral. The SHWF is produced by Southern Highlands-based Creative & Co, a dynamic, collaborative group of artists working together to craft unique entertainment and retail experiences.
27th	A Day Festival by Northern Books VIC This is Northern Books inaugural Day Festival of Books, Poets and Writers Guests: Luke Horton, Kylie Mirmohamadi, Sonia Orchard, Kylie Ladd, Jasper Peach, Ross Donlon, Andy Jackson, Bonny Cassidy Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm Venue: Buda House, Castlemaine
31st-Aug 2nd	Melbourne Rare Book Fair Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne VIC The Melbourne Rare Book Fair’ is the major annual book fair of ANZAAB and one of only a few rare book fairs in the Southern hemisphere.
AUGUST
1st-3rd	Gippsland Writers Festival VIC Set over three incredible days, the Gippsland Writers Festival is a celebration of story for all ages. We believe that stories have the power to connect us, challenge our perspectives, and build a more inclusive and understanding Formerly known as StoryFest, the Gippsland Writers Festival continues to bring diverse lineups of storytellers to Yarram, in the heart of Gippsland. With the support of local, State and Federal governments and arts agencies, the festival is growing every year and now encompasses three amazing days of literary activities, discussion panels and writing workshops. The Gumboot Collective is an arts-based not-for-profit organisation, entirely run by volunteers, which coordinates the Gippsland Writers Festival as well as the annual Chalk Art Festival and other arts events in and around Yarram.
1st-31st	Red Room Poetry Month August is Poetry Month – a national celebration of Australian poetry. Launched in 2021 by Red Room Poetry, Poetry Month aims to increase access, awareness and visibility of poetry in all its forms and for all audiences. Program launched in July.
8th-10th	Byron Writers Festival NSW As Australia’s favourite regional meeting place of storytelling and ideas, Byron Writers Festival captivates with renowned authors, thought-provoking discussions and inspiring Workshops and Feature Events.
9th	Kids and YA Festival by Writing NSW Writing NSW is pleased to announce that our 2025 Kids and YA Festival will return on Saturday 9 August, directed by one of Australia’s most popular authors for children, Jacqueline Harvey
14th	Melbourne Jewish Book Week Vic MJBW Literary Dinner: Esther Freud in conversation with Ramona Koval Featuring international guest of honour and keynote presenter, Esther Freud, whose forthcoming novel, My Sister and Other Lovers, is due for release in July. Please join us for drinks and a delicious three-course dinner for a highly entertaining evening.
15th	CBCA Book of the Year Awards
15th-16th	Currumbin Crime Writers Festival QLD
15th-17th	Bendigo Writers Festival VIC Gather in the heart of Central Victoria to celebrate the art of writing and storytelling. Bendigo Writers Festival brings together writers, readers and creative thinkers from diverse backgrounds and genres for a range of events including panel discussions, keynote speakers, workshops, performances and book launches.
15th-17th	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.
20th-24th	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! Program details to come.
22nd-23rd	Local Word Geelong VIC Local Word brings our diverse local writing communities together through workshops, panel discussions, authors in-conversation and literary-themed social events.
22nd-24th	Eumundi Writers Festival QLD Join us in the beautiful noosa hinterland town of eumundi to celebrate writers, book illustrators and the written word.
23rd-25th	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.
25th-27th	Phillip Island Festival of Stories Cowes, 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.
29th-31st	Dunkeld Writers Festival VIC 2025 will see the fourth annual writers festival in picturesque Dunkeld.
biennial festival- next up Aug 2026	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.
TBA	Perth Poetry Festival State Library WA This will be the 20th annual Poetry Festival organised by WA Poets Inc and features invited national and local poets plus ample opportunities for public participation in a diverse program of free and low cost events.
TBA	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.
TBA	Romance Writers of Australia Conference Glenelg SA RWA aims to promote romantic fiction, and help aspiring writers and published authors within the romance publishing industry.
TBA	Shalom Sydney Jewish Writers Festival NSW The SJWF celebrates the richness and diversity of contemporary Jewish writing from around the world. It features authors who are Jewish or whose books are of Jewish interest.
Coming again 2026!	Sonic Poetry Festival Melbourne VIC Sonic Poetry Festival is a community-based grassroots poetry and spoken word festival based in Melbourne / Naarm.
SEPTEMBER
1st-3rd	Somerset Storyfest – South West St George region, QLD Rarely– if ever–do writers festivals come to the outback, Storyfest seeks to change this: making inspiration accessible to all.
10th-12th	Somerset Storyfest – Out West QLD Longreach
10th-14th	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!
11th-18th	Emerging Writers Festival VIC EWF provides opportunities for emerging writers to develop professionally, and supports them to engage new and larger audiences.
12th-14th	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 this special corner of the world, and in so doing build networks and engagement between writers and readers. Jo Canham and her team always deliver a vibrant festival weekend!
13th-14th	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
16th-17th	Somerset Storyfest – Central Queensland Storyfest is making its way to Emerald! Details to follow!
24th-27th	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.
TBA	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.
TBA	Dubbo Writers Festival NSW Dubbo Writers’ Festival is back for our 10th year in 2024. Join writing workshops, book conversations with publishing experts or come to our free events about writing and writers.
TBA	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	Shire Writers Festival (Writers Unleashed) Sutherland Shire NSW – biennial festival The Writers Unleashed Festival is a growing community and literary event in the Sutherland Shire in Southern Sydney.
TBA	The National Writers’ Conference The National Writers’ Conference is the place for emerging writers to advance their skills, hear from leaders in the literary sphere, and forge connections within the publishing industry.
returning in 2026	Western Port Writes Literary Festival, Somers Vic The inaugural Western Port Writes Literary Festival was held in 2024, a brilliant success! It returns in 2026 with a series of one-off events coming up in the second half of 2025. See their website or instagram account for details.
OCTOBER
4th	Romance Author & Reader Events RARE 25, Melbourne Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
9th-12th	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.
10th-12th	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 does change. Local and guest poets are invited to Launceston to share their work at a range of events held over the Festival weekend.
11th-12th	Mansfield Readers & Writers Festival VIC Mansfield Readers and Writers celebrates storytelling in all its forms. We run, support and promote events for readers and writers. Our flagstone event is the Mansfield Readers & Writers Festival.
17th-26th	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.
17th-19th	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	Mount Beauty Writers Festival VIC Come and enjoy the stories of award winning authors, from thriller and crime novelists, biographies, romance, lifestyle and adventure! Experience an intimate connection and celebration of books with the amazing authors who write them, all taking place in the picturesque Alpine setting of Mount Beauty Victoria.
18-19th	Festival of Fiction Perth, WA (ECU Joondalup) The inaugural 2024 Festival of Fiction at Edith Cowan University in Perth brought together 350 readers with their favourite Australian authors who they got to listen to in conversation on stage and then meet in person afterwards.
24th-26th	Canberra Writers Festival ACT Founded in 2016, the Canberra Writer’s Festival has become a beloved event in the national literary calendar – a favourite amongst Australia’s reading, writing and publishing communities
24th-26th	Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival, Geraldton, WA Celebrating 20 years!
29th-Nov 2nd	Ubud Writers & Readers Festival A yearly pilgrimage for word lovers worldwide, the Ubud Writers & Readers 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.
31st Oct – Nov 2nd	Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival Katoomba 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.
returning 2026	Berry Writers Festival NSW Three days of ideas and inspiration in the beautiful historic village of Berry.
	The festivals below are usually held in October each year
bi-ennial, next up in 2026!	Newstead Young Writers Festival Vic This wonderful new festival debuted in 2024 and will be back again in 2026. Watch out for satellite events through 2025!
next festival is ahead in 2026 16-19 Oct	Tamar Valley Writers Festival TAS Set amid Launceston’s historic architectural beauty, lush vineyards, and natural bushland as a backdrop, the Tamar Valley Writers Festival is a treasured part of Tasmania’s cultural calendar and one of the largest writer’s festivals outside an Australian capital city.
TBA	Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival Huon Valley TAS (TARWF) is Australia’s southern-most literary festival, a celebration of books, writing and community in the glorious Huon Valley, Tasmania.
NOVEMBER
1st-2nd	HNSA History Unbound Novel Festival Venue: Parramatta Town Hall
15th	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.
21st-23rd	Australian Short Story Festival Perth WA An exciting program that includes 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.
biennial next up 21-22 Feb 2026	Book Fair Australia Sydney NSW Book Fair Australia presents a literary festival that celebrates stories of all genres. Welcoming traditionally and independently published authors alike to share their diverse range through dedicated stalls, discussion panels, workshops and more.
TBA	Mountain Festival Macedon Macedon Ranges VIC Australia’s first writers festival with an exclusive focus on the environment.
TBA	True Story Festival by South Coast Writers, Wollongong, NSW 2024 guests included Rick Morton, Bruce Pascoe, Lyn Barwood, Ailsa Piper, Rosie Batty, Gina Chick, Sue Millikan, Nadia Wheatley, Jackie Bailey, Sue Turnbull and more – can’t wait to see their line up for 2025!
DECEMBER
TBA	Australian Literature Festival at the Sea