A reader’s guide to writers’ festivals

Celebrating all things word-related, writers’ festivals across Australia have attracted an impressive line-up of local and international authors for years. With programs bursting with literary panels, Q&As, workshops, lectures and more, there is so much for writers, thinkers, creators and readers to experience.

We’ve assembled advice from our most seasoned festival attendees to help you make the most of the program. If you haven’t got your local festival firmly locked into your calendar yet, scroll down to see dates and information for some of the big (and small) festivals around the country.

Navigating the program

• When the program is first released, pour yourself a cup of tea and sit down to plot out your ideal schedule. Double-check the sessions you’d like to attend. Make sure that event times don’t clash and pay special attention to the location – not all venues are within walking distance so plan your route between them and allow enough time from one to the next.
• Leave room in your itinerary for spur of the moment decisions – word of mouth is key at festivals and often the most unassuming sessions become the most talked about ones. If you hear someone raving about an author they have just seen who has another session that day, try and attend.
• If you’re seeing an author you love, bring your dog-eared copy of your favourite book of theirs from home to sign.

On the day

• Festivals can often start early and go well into the night so make sure you’re prepared for a long day. Drink lots of water, take snacks, check the weather on the day and pack accordingly and bring a book to read in between events.
• Hang out at the festival cafes and bars to overhear fellow punters talking about their plans for the day. You never know who might meet, you may even make a festival friend.
• Some bigger festivals will have maps on offer. Pick one up early in the day as it will tell you where all the relevant areas are: food, amenities and so on. If all else fails, ask a festival volunteer! They’re happy to help.
• Head into the onsite bookshop and ask the staff for a recommendation. They will be across all the authors at the festival and will be able to recommend something wonderful that you might not usually pick up.
• If you have a gap between sessions, ask a member of staff or a volunteer what’s coming up – they speak to people all day long so they’re likely to hear about which events have been a big hit.

Event etiquette

• If they’re free events, try and get there at least 15 minutes before the event starts. There’ll always be a queue, but if you show up just when the session is due to start, it might be full and you’ll miss out.
• If you know you’ll have to leave an event early, try to sit at the back of the room or somewhere near the exit to avoid disturbing the speakers and other guests.
• If you’re unsure of whether to get a book signed, always yes. You don’t know when, or if, the author will do an event again – or, if they’re from overseas, if they’ll come to Australia again.
• If you do want to get your book signed, find out where the signing is taking place and sit near it. When the event is over, head straight to the line as speakers often have limited time available for signings due to other commitments.
• Help the author out by spelling your name clearly for them.
• When meeting an author, have a question prepared and try to make it original. It’s likely that they’ll have signed a lot of books and answered many similar questions already, so they’ll appreciate a refreshing conversation.

Perth Writers Week
19 – 25 February, 2018
More information
 

Adelaide Writers’ Week
3 – 8 March, 2018
More information
 

Sydney Writers’ Festival
30 April – 6 May, 2018
More information    
 

Wordstorm 2018
Darwin
24 – 27 May, 2018
More information
 

Emerging Writers’ Festival
Melbourne
19 – 29 June, 2018
More information
 

Mildura Writers’ Festival
19 – 22 July, 2018
More information
 

Voices on the Coast
Youth literature festival - Sunshine Coast, Queensland
July 2018 – Dates to be confirmed
More information
 

Byron Writers Festival
3 – 5 August, 2018
More information
 

Bendigo Writers Festival
10 – 12 August, 2018
More information
 

Canberra Writers Festival
24 – 26 August, 2018
More information


Melbourne Writers Festival
24 August – 2 September, 2018
More information

Brisbane Writers Festival
6 – 9 September, 2018
More information


Kimberley Writers Festival
Mid-September 2018 – Dates to be confirmed
 

National Young Writers’ Festival
Newcastle
Late-September 2018 – Dates to be confirmed
More information