Literary Events in Australia and New Zealand

Book Festivals, Writers Conferences and other literary events - Australia & New Zealand

Australia

Addi Road Writers’ Festival

The Addi Road Writers’ Festival is an annual literary and storytelling event in Sydney’s Inner West. This is a free, family and pet-friendly day, though some panels may contain content and language best suited to an adult audience. ...

When: May

    Where: Marrickville NSW

Adelaide Writers’ Week

Adelaide Writers’ Week, known locally as Writers’ Week or WW, is a large and mostly free literary festival held annually in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Considered one of the world’s pre-eminent literary events, it forms part of the Adelaide Festival of Arts, where attendees meet,...

When: March

    Where: Adelaide SA

Australian Short Story Festival

The Australian Short Story Festival is an annual festival celebrating short stories in written and spoken forms. Founded by Anna Solding of MidnightSun Publishing and Caroline Wood of Margaret River Press, the Festival connects audiences with short story writers, storytellers, publishers, and e...

When: November

    Where: Adelaide SA

BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival

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. ...

When: September

    Where: Sydney NSW

Banjo Patterson Australian Poetry Festival

Join the community of Orange, NSW and its surrounding villages in a week of bush poetry events. This will be a special festival as the Rotary Club of Orange is partnering with the Australian Bush Poets Association to host the National Bush Poetry Performance Championship competition in association w...

When: February

    Where: Orange NSW

Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival

The Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival is Australia’s newest literary event. The inaugural Festival was staged in the magnificent environs of the Coffs Coast, Bellingen and Dorrigo from April, 2011. The festival is a celebration of Australian writing in all its forms and will feature many establ...

When: June

    Where: Bellingen NSW

Bendigo Writers Festival

Bendigo Writers Festival gives you time out to tune in to the important things in life. Five different venues will be running hour-long sessions simultaneously throughout the day. Between sessions, you can catch up with a favourite author in the Festival Hub and browse the bookshop!...

When: May

    Where: Bendigo VIC

Berry Writers Festival

This three-day program includes panel discussions, conversations, performances, author signings, workshops and social events featuring over 40 established and emerging authors. ...

When: October

    Where: Shoalhaven NSW

Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival

Blak & Bright is a First Nations Literary Festival based in Melbourne. It's a four-day showcase celebrating the diverse expressions of First Nations writers, covering all genres, from songs to essays, oral stories to epic novels, and from plays to poetry. ...

When: March

    Where: Melbourne VIC

Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival

The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival (BWRF) is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, as well as promoting lifelong learning for the Brimbank community. The 10 day festival program includes workshops, author talks, panel discussio...

When: March

    Where: Brimbank VIC

Brisbane Writers Festival

Brisbane Writers Festival brings a page-turning experience to Brisbane in September each year, as well as a year-round program of exciting events. ...

When: May

    Where: Brisbane QLD

Byron Writers Festival

As Australia’s favourite regional meeting place of storytelling and ideas, Byron Writers Festival attracts thousands of audiences annually to experience shared moments of human connection. ...

When: August

    Where: Byron Bay NSW

Capricorn Coast Writers Festival

The Capricorn Coast Writers Festival aims to foster the importance of books and reading by bringing together an exciting mix of authors, editors, publishers and industry professionals from all over Australia and our own community, to share their vast wealth of knowledge and passion. Join us for a ja...

When: June

    Where: Yeppoon QLD

Clunes Booktown Festival

In 2007 the first Booktown (Booktown for a Day) was held attracting over 6,000 visitors. Since then a two day festival, Clunes Booktown Festival has been held annually in May. Over 60 booktraders from around Australia bring stock to the town and set up shop for the weekend. Street entertainment, foo...

When: March

    Where: Clunes VIC

Conflux

The annual Canberra speculative fiction conference features panel discussions, books launches and author talks. ...

When: September

    Where: Canberra ACT

Emerging Writers’ Festival

The Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) is one of Australia’s most established and well-respected literary festivals. We exist to develop, nurture and promote Australia’s new writing talent, creating platforms for connecting writing communities and their audiences. Through the flagship festiva...

When: September

    Where: Melbourne VIC

GenreCon

GenreCon is the leading conference for genre writers, featuring an impressive line-up of leading names in Australian and international genre fiction across a spectacular weekend of panels, workshops and special events....

When: February

    Where: South Brisbane QLD

HeadLand Writers Festival

HeadLand Writers Festival is a celebration of reading, writing, sharing stories and indulging the mind. Across three days in October, the spectacular Tathra Headland will serve as a backdrop to an abundance of author in-conversations, panels, workshops, poetry breakfasts, theatre and music performan...

When: October

    Where: Tathra NSW

Henry Lawson Festival

The Henry Lawson Festival is an annual event held in Grenfell, NSW on the June long weekend. Grenfell is the birthplace of Henry Lawson, one of Australia’s best loved poets and writer of short stories. 2015 was the 58th year of the festival, and it was a fantastic event. ...

When: June

    Where: Grenfell NSW

Jugiong Writers’ Festival

A unique Writers’ Festival celebrating reading, writing & fun in the picturesque village of Jugiong...

When: June

    Where: Jugiong NSW

Kyogle Readers and Writers Festival

A three-day festival comprising over 50 separate events including author talks, workshops, poetry readings and performances, panel discussions and lively conversation. ...

When: May

    Where: Kyogle NSW

Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival

The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival is the flagship annual literature event of Arts Margaret River. It is the biggest regional literary event in Western Australia and aims to foster a love of literature and the arts within the community.

Each year, the festival brings an array of thoug...

When: May

    Where: Margaret River WA

Melbourne Writers Festival

MWF brings writers and readers together to be inspired, challenged and thrilled by an intelligent, rousing and diverse program of books and ideas....

When: May

    Where: Melbourne VIC

Mildura Writers Festival

Held in July, the Mildura Writers Festival presents three days of words, food and wine featuring Australian and international writers. Throughout the weekend invited guests and audience members intermingle freely sharing an experience that provides thoughtful and challenging ideas about writing an...

When: July

    Where: Mildura VIC

National Young Writers’ Festival

The National Young Writers’ Festival (NYWF) occurs annually in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, over the New South Wales’ Labour Day Holiday Weekend in late September/early October. ...

When: October

    Where: Newcastle NSW

Newcastle Writers Festival

The inaugural Newcastle Writers Festival was held in 2013 and was a resounding success. More than 70 writers participated in 38 sessions - half of which were free. In 2014, the festival was enhanced by the addition of a popular children’s program. More than 100 writers participated in the extended...

When: April

    Where: Newcastle NSW

Northern Beaches Readers Festival

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. ...

When: September

    Where: Avalon NSW

NT Writers Festival (NTWF)

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. Held annually, the festival’s location alternates between Darwin and Alice Springs. Events range from pitch sessions...

When: June

    Where: Darwin/Alice Springs NT

Oracles of the Bush

Tenterfield’s Oracles of the Bush is a four day cultural event encompassing live performance of Australian Bush poetry, music and art. The timing of the event is set to coincide with Tenterfield’s brilliant autumn - April is resplendent in a cloak of red, orange, gold and yellow providing the pe...

When: April

    Where: Tenterfield NSW

Orange Readers and Writers Festival

The Orange Readers and Writers Festival is hosted by Central West Libraries and supported by Collins Booksellers. Books by the authors will be available for sale and signing at the Festival....

When: August

    Where: Orange NSW

Perth Festival

Perth Festival is a not-for-profit multi-arts festival that brings world class performance, music, film, visual arts and literary events to Perth, Western Australia, every summer....

When: February

    Where: Perth WA

Queenscliffe Literary Festival

The Queenscliffe Literary Festival Inc presents a lively and engaging program of events with leading Australia writers of fiction and non-fiction. It’s held across three weekends in May....

When: May

    Where: Queenscliff VIC

Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival

The Rose Scott Women Writers’ Festival was established in 2013 as an annual flagship event for The Women’s Club. Named after Rose Scott, one of the founders of The Women’s Club, it seeks to honour the memory of this influential woman who used her own writing -- speeches, pamphlets and le...

When: September

    Where: Sydney NSW

Scone Literary Festival

The Scone Literary Festival exists for the love of words, and to create stimulating, informal and intimate events that spark great conversations. We hold live, events on the second weekend in March each year. ...

When: March

    Where: Scone NSW

Somerset Storyfest

Somerset Storyfest is a nationally recognised youth literature organisation based on the Gold Coast. 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 an...

When: March

    Where: Mudgeeraba QLD

Sorrento Writers Festival

The brainchild of award-winning journalist, podcaster, former bookshop owner and Festival Director Corrie Perkin, the not-for-profit event will encourage deep thinking and compelling conversations via meet the author events, keynote speeches, panel discussions, a business seminar, readings, musical ...

When: April

    Where: Sorrento VIC

Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival

The Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival features a stellar lineup of Australia’s best writers of books, poetry, TV and plays....

When: November

    Where: Bowral NSW

SwanCon

The longest continuously running science fiction convention in Australia, Swancon celebrates all genres of speculative fiction with panels, discussions, and activities....

When: April

    Where: Perth WA

Sydney Jewish Writers’ Festival

The Sydney Jewish Writers Festival celebrates the richness and diversity of Jewish writing. It showcases the talents of writers from around Australia and overseas who identify as Jewish or who write on Jewish themes. The SJWF was the first of its kind in Australia and is steadily becoming a ma...

When: August

    Where: Sydney NSW

Sydney Writers’ Festival

The Sydney Writers’ Festival brings together thousands of diverse writers and thinkers worldwide each year to discuss pressing issues. Over 400 writers take part in 300 events to an audience of 80,000, of which a third are free, while regional libraries and community centers are also included ...

When: May

    Where: Sydney NSW

Tamar Valley Writers Festival

Since the first event in 2014, the biennial festival has welcomed some of Australia’s most famed writers, thinkers and speakers to share their unique insights into the written word. No genre is off limits. Romance, politics, crime, biography, comedy, songwriting, poetry, film and television are al...

When: October

    Where: Grindelwald TAS

Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival

Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival (TARWF) is Australia’s southern-most literary festival, a celebration of books, writing and community in the glorious Huon Valley, Tasmania....

When: October

    Where: Huon Valley TAS

Voices on the Coast

Voices on the Coast is a youth literature festival presented by Immanuel Lutheran College and the University of the Sunshine Coast. ...

When: February

    Where: Sunshine Coast QLD

Whitsundays Writers Festival

The 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. There will also be a Karaoke Poetry and Cocktails on the Friday evening, the Big Book Club High Tea, a livel...

When: September

    Where: Airlie QLD

Willy Lit Fest

The Williamstown Literary Festival is Melbourne West’s largest annual, literary festival. A weekend feast of books, ideas and conversations all in the beautiful Williamstown Town Hall and Library. ...

When: June

    Where: Williiamstown VIC

Words in Winter: Daylesford Literary Festival

Words in Winter is an annual celebration of words in all their forms, based in Daylesford. The festival shares stories and ideas by local and visiting presenters through performance, music, storytelling, comedy, poetry, talks, workshops and exhibitions. Stories as hot as today’s headlines will com...

When: August

    Where: Daylesford VIC

Words on the Waves Writers Festival

Words on the Waves Writers Festival is a celebration of words and ideas set on the scenic Central Coast, NSW, Australia. Please join us for conversations, book signings with your favourite authors, workshops, a kids’ program and more. ...

When: May

    Where: Umina Beach NSW

Write Around the Murray

Write around the Murray has grown considerably since its beginning in 2007. With its heart in regional Australia, the festival is an annual testament to the motivation of writers and artists in the area. A mix of established and emerging writers, both from the Albury region and further afield have t...

When: September

    Where: Albury City NSW

Writers Unleashed - Sutherland Shire Writers’ Festival

The Sutherland Shire Writers’ Festival, known as Writers’ Unleashed, is a growing community and literary event. With a strong focus on the promotion and support of Australian writers and publishers, the festival also aims to educate and encourage aspiring writers and illustrators. This writers&r...

When: September

    Where: Gymea NSW

New Zealand

Auckland Writers Festival

Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o T?maki is the largest annual literary festival in Aotearoa New Zealand since 1999. It has about 200 public events each year featuring local and international writers as guests. ...

When: May

    Where: Auckland

Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival

The Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival is an annual event that celebrates books, storytelling, and ideas. It is held in Featherston, a vibrant and generous Pae Tu Mokai, New Zealand community. The festival features a wide range of events, including book readings, discussions, workshops, and mor...

When: May

    Where: Featherstone North Isla

New Zealand Young Writers Festival

Held in the heart of Dunedin, produced by the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust, the festival includes workshops, performances, panel discussions, and bookish social festivities. We join playwrights and poets; comedians and historians; critics and consciences in the sixth annual NZ Young Writers Festival. B...

When: September

    Where: Dunedin

Queenstown Writers Festival

The Queenstown Writers Festival is a biennial boutique festival that brings writers and readers together to celebrate the written word in many forms. This event features novelists, poets, short-story writers, children’s writers, and non-fiction writers who talk about books, share their stories, a...

When: November

    Where: Queenstown, Otago

samesame but different LGBTQI+ Writers and Readers Festival

As part of Auckland Pride, the festival offers up a plethora of literary treats including two gala events, a book launch, poetry readings, panel talks and even a zine making workshop. All events are free and provide a space to uphold queer literature and authors, and to encourage the next generation...

When: February

    Where: Auckland

Whanganui Literary Festival

A vibrant writers and readers’ festival held every second year attracting and hosting national and international guests. Bus tours, writers talks, poetry and book groups and fairs all to satisfy avid readers held in iconic venues throughout the city....

When: September

    Where: Whanganui