Late Night Lit: Omar Musa

Closing a brilliant year of bookish bliss is Late Night Lit, our trademark evening of spoken word, poetry, literary readings and other curiosities.

And for this instalment, we go back to where it all begins. On this sultry summer eve, Omar Musa graces the stage four years after joining us for the inaugural event in 2022. Since then, Omar has released a short story collection and a novel, hosted several solo exhibitions, staged a collaborative performance work with his cellist wife Mariel Roberts Musa, been feted by literary It Girl Dua Lipa, and in 2026 won both the Victorian Premier’s Prize for Fiction and the Miles Franklin Award. No big deal!

Joining Omar is local wordsmith and festival favourite Will Small, whose latest release, The Fossil of Us, offers poetry that is sharp, funny and deeply felt, capturing the tension between everyday life and a world that can feel like it is coming undone.

Rounding out this spectacular lineup is ‘force of nature’ Sheree Joseph. Her memoir, Juicy, grapples with grief, failed fertility treatments and a world in crisis – leading her to forge new friendships, trace her Lebanese-Australian roots and reclaim life on her own terms.

As usual, we also welcome an impressive lineup of local writers and artists to share new work as part of our open mic. If you’re interested in participating, email program@wordsonthewaves.com.au with a sample of your work.

Let us come together, clink our glasses to the year that was and the words that make it all worthwhile. See you at the final Late Night Lit for 2026!

Please note:

• Seating is unallocated
• Bar Toto has delicious cocktails, wine and antipasti available; the bar can deliver it in the breaks. Food and beverage costs are not included in the entry price
• BOOKFACE Erina will be the bookseller for the evening; please support the authors, purchase their books and have them signed at the event