Newcastle Writers Festival

Brigid Delaney is shown seated on an armchair, smiling and wearing a black silk blouse.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, the text 'The Seeker and the Sage: Brigid Delaney in Conversation’, and the front cover of Brigid's novel The Seeker and the Sage.

@brigidwd.bsky.social's unique new novel The Seeker & the Sage explores how Stoic wisdom can shape communities & help us build a better world. Brigid will speak with @stephharmon.bsky.social at #NWF2026.

🎟️ newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/the-seeker-and-the-sage-brigid-delaney-in-conversation

The top two-thirds of the image features a collage with headshots of the featured writers. The bottom third includes the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, and the text 'A Picture Paints 500 Words with Dael Allison, Joanna Atherfold Finn, Morgan Bell, Micheál Lovett & Damien Linnane'.

Writers and visual artists come together in this lively cross-disciplinary showcase at Port Stephens Artisan Collective.

Five Hunter region storytellers unveil 500-word pieces sparked by striking works from local artists.

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/a-picture-paints-500-words/

A black and white photo of Siang Lu smiling while seated at an author signing desk, wearing glasses, a t-shirt and a suit jacket.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, bold black text 'Ghost Cities: Siang Lu in Conversation’, and the front cover of Siang's novel Ghost Cities

Siang Lu’s Miles Franklin Award-winning novel Ghost Cities is a genre-bending masterpiece of literary hilarity that offers a bold reimagining of Sino-Australian storytelling. He speaks with Courtney Collins at #NWF2026

🎟️ newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/ghost-cities-siang-lu-in-conversation

A collage showing a headshot of Bri on the left, and Lucy on the right.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, the text 'Choice and Circumstance: Bri Lee and Lucy Nelson’, and the front covers of Bri's book Seed and Lucy's book Wait Here.

Bri Lee and Lucy Nelson speak with Maddison Connaughton about the ways fiction creates space for the most intimate questions about the futures we imagine.

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/choice-and-circumstance-bri-lee-and-lucy-nelson/

A collage showing a headshot of Amie on the left, Natalie in the top right corner and Melanie in the bottom right.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, the text 'Writing Romance Across Genre with Amie Kaufman, Natalie Murray, and Melanie Saward’, and the front covers of Amie's book Red Star Rebels, Natalie's book Lights, Camera, Love and Melanie's book Love Unleashed

@amiekaufman.bsky.social, Natalie Murray, and @littleredwrites.bsky.social explore what love ignites in narrative and why emotional connection remains important to readers with Katharine Pollock at #NWF2026

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/writing-romance-across-genre/

Accessibility | Newcastle Writers Festival Read how Newcastle Writers Festival is making every effort to ensure our events are accessible to all members of the community.

We want #NWF2026 to be accessible to everyone in our community and have Auslan interpreters available by request until March 9.

Learn more at #NWF2026 at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/accessibility/

A close-up of a page a student is writing on with the text '24 March, Flash Fiction Masterclass - Students are guided to write their own “flash fiction” with original characters, interesting narratives, and compelling endings.'

Students sitting in a circle on the ground while reading printed handouts, and the text, '26 March, Historical Fiction Masterclass - Focusing on Newcastle Museum’s ‘Fire and Earth’ exhibit that relates to the Hunter’s industrial and mining history, students learn how to blend historical settings with their own imagination.'

Students in Stage 3 (years 5 & 6) are invited to join us at our upcoming Story Hunter workshops.

Schools are encouraged to send a small group of up to 12 students accompanied by a supervising teacher or adult.

Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/host/newcast...

Laurie Woolever is shown seated and leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, wearing a denim button-up shirt.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, the text 'Care and Feeding: Laurie Woolever in Conversation’, and the front cover of Laurie's memoir Care and Feeding.

New York cook, food writer, & personal assistant to the late chef Anthony Bourdain, @lauriewoolever.bsky.social, joins festival director Rosemarie Milsom for a candid conversation about finding her voice.

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/care-and-feeding-laurie-woolever-in-conversation/

A collage showing a headshot of Adam in the top left, Mandy in the bottom left and S. Shakthidharan on the right.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, the text 'Our Fathers: Adam Courtenay, Mandy Sayer, and S. Shakthidharan’, and the front covers of Adam's book My Father Bryce, Mandy's book No Dancing in the Lift, and S. Shakthidharan's book Gather Up Your World One Long Breath.

With emotional precision, Adam Courtenay, Mandy Sayer, & S. Shakthidharan have written evocative accounts of their fathers, all of whom left complicated legacies. They speak to Magdalena Ball at #NWF2026

🎟️ bit.ly/4tQNsgB

Michael is shown mixing a drink behind a bar with Zara smiling and watching on beside him.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, the text 'The Best Bar None: Michael and Zara Madrusan in Conversation’, and the front cover of their book The Madrusan Cocktail Companion.

Newcastle-born Michael Madrusan, with wife and co-author Zara discuss The Madrusan Cocktail Companion, regarded as the most ambitious drinks guide ever published. Hosted by Ben Groundwater.

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/the-best-bar-none-michael-and-zara-madrusan-in-conversation/

The text 'Always Home, Always Homesick: Hannah Kent in Conversation' and a headshot of Hannah.

The text 'Worlds of Wonder: Amie Kaufman in Conversation' and a headshot of Amie.

The text 'The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop: Peter FitzSimons in Conversation' and a headshot of Peter.

The text 'A Great Act of Love: Heather Rose in Conversation' and a headshot of Heather.

Livestreamed sessions on Sunday, 29 March.

The text 'This Writing Life with Hannah Kent, JP Pomare, & Heather Rose' and headshots of the writers.

The text 'Talking Footy: Brandon Jack & Helen Garner' and headshots of the writers.

The text 'A Vanishing World: Charlotte McConaghy in Conversation' and a headshot of Charlotte.

The text 'Seed: Bri Lee in Conversation' and a headshot of Bri.

Livestreamed sessions on Saturday, 28 March.

A yellow background with the text 'Livestream a session at NWF2026', the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, and an illustration of an open book, with pages detaching and flying away like birds.

Experience #NWF2026 in person or from the comfort of your home with one of our livestreamed sessions 📺

Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/newcastle-wr...

A collage showing a headshot of Danielle in the top left, Lily on the right and Melanie in the bottom left.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, bold black text 'TikTok: Helping or Harming the Book Industry? with Danielle Binks, Lily Crozier, and Melanie Saward’, and the front covers of Danielle's book Six Summers of Tash and Leopold, Lily's book Vow of Eternal Night and Melanie's book Love Unleashed

@daniellebinks.bsky.social, @lilycrozier.bsky.social, and @littleredwrites.bsky.social unpack TikTok's pitfalls and possibilities with Clare Stephens at #NWF2026.

Learn more and book tickets at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/tiktok-helping-or-harming-the-book-industry/

Rhett Davis is shown smiling while leaning on a stone wall, wearing a blue-black button-up shirt.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, bold black text 'Arborescence: Rhett Davis in Conversation’, and the front cover of Rhett's novel Arborescence.

Rhett Davis's original and tender novel Arborescence is speculative fiction at its best. It centres on people who begin transforming into trees. Is it a cult? Performance art? Or something else entirely? He speaks to Kate Mildenhall at #NWF2026

🎟️ bit.ly/4az9ZFG

A collage showing a headshot of Madison wearing a grey jumper on the left and Sonia wearing a black t-shirt, silver necklace and hoop earrings on the right.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, bold black text 'Speaking Truth to Power: Madison Griffiths & Sonia Orchard’, and the front covers of Madison's book Sweet Nothings and Sonia's book Groomed.

Join @madisongriffiths.bsky.social & Sonia Orchard for a fearless conversation about power, control, & the urgent act of reclaiming your voice. They examine the realities of gendered power & the silences that shape — & too often constrain — women’s lives. Host Magdalena Ball.

🎟️ bit.ly/4aItXxU

Two young children laughing during our family fun day at last year's writers festival. A vibrant graphic that features the text 'Family Fun Day' and an illustration of stacked, primary-colored icons, including a pelican, a lighthouse, a smiling face, a book and a hot air balloon. The NWF logo and dates, 27 - 29 March.

A summary of the family fun events and timing, which are listed below, and other key information, including that our Family Fun Day will be on Sunday, 29 March and is ticketed by Civic Theatre. The event is supported by Novo School and the Catfish Foundation. Session 65 Real Pigeons Live Mystery with Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood, 9.30am-10.15am, Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall, Adults $15; Kids $10 Session 66 Poetry And Picture Books With Maxine Beneba Clarke, 9.30am-10.00am, Cummings Room, Newcastle City Hall, Free Session 67 Caution! This Event Contains Deadly Reptiles with Corey Tutt, 10.45am-11.30am, Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall, Adults $15; Kids $10 Session 68 Family Fun with Sally Rippin, 10.15am-10.45am, Cummings Room, Newcastle City Hall, Free Session 69 Let’s Go! With Andy Griffiths and Bill Hope, 12.00pm-1.00pm, Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall, Adults $15; Kids $10 Session 70 What Characters Teach Us About Courage with Jess Black, 11.15am-11.45am, Cummings Room, Newcastle City Hall, Free

Get ready for laughs, creativity & stories with much loved authors & illustrators, Andrew McDonald, Ben Wood, @maxinebenebaclarke.bsky.social, Corey Tutt, Sally Rippin, Andy Griffiths, Bill Hope & Jess Black at the #NWF2026 Family Fun Day!

Book now at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/

Tim Pocock is smiling while seated and leaning forward with his hand hovering near his face. He is wearing a white t-shirt and a blue plaid shirt.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, bold black text 'The Truth Will Set You Free: Tim Pocock in Conversation’, and the front cover of Tim's memoir, The Truth Will Set You Free.

From growing up as a devout Catholic in the conservative Opus Dei community, to embracing his true identity as a gay man, Tim Pocock unpacks it all – and more – with Kaya Wilson at #NWF2026

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/the-truth-will-set-you-free-tim-pocock-in-conversation/

A woman painting words on a large piece of fabric that is stretched across multiple trestle tables at last year's workshop with Lliane. The fabric had already been decorated with colourful images and other words using paints and pencils, and three other women are in the background examining the contributions.

A woman holding a notebook and reading from large pieces of paper that have been hung on a wall.

A group photo of last year's workshop participants, who are each holding a long piece of red yarn.

WORKSHOP | Undercurrents: What's Your Story

A storymaking and podcast workshop for all women over 18 to explore the female perspective including female-identifying and non-binary creatives.

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/workshop-undercurrents-whats-your-story

WORDS & MUSIC returns in 2026!

I have the pleasure of curating this event for @newwritersfest.bsky.social each year.

Songwriters like Urthboy, Liz Stringer etc will perform original works inspired by books, poems etc.

Sat, Mar 28 at the Conservatorium.

TIX HERE: bit.ly/3Mf5dFz
#BookSky #MusicSky

Accessibility | Newcastle Writers Festival Read how Newcastle Writers Festival is making every effort to ensure our events are accessible to all members of the community.

Email us or send your contact details for personalised assistance - access@newcastlewritersfestival.org.au

Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/accessibility/

- Companion Card holders receive a free ticket for their companion
- A series of podcasts and videos with captions will be released post-festival
- Disability Inclusion Action Plan available on our website

- Wheelchair access at all venues except Customs House and The Press Book House
- Plan your trip with the Disability Visual Aid
- Accessible seating available at all wheelchair accessible venues
- Accessible parking spots near festival hub
- Public transport available for those using mobility aids

- A condensed audio version of the program available on our website
- Hearing loop and live captions on events in Concert Hall, City Hall and the Conservatorium of Music
- Auslan Interpreters by request until 9 March
- A selection of sessions livestreamed
- Assistance dogs welcome in all venues

A yellow background with the text 'Festival Accessibility', the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, and an illustration of an open book, with pages detaching and flying away like birds

We are committed to making #NWF2026 accessible to all members of our community, and we are here to support your needs. This includes...

Amie Kaufman smiling while gazing up and seated at a wooden table. She is wearing a dark blue t-shirt and a scarf with blue, patchwork design.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, bold black text 'Worlds of Wonder: Amie Kaufman in Conversation’, and the front cover of Amie's novel Red Star Rebels.

International bestselling author @amiekaufman.bsky.social makes her first appearance at the festival and we couldn’t be more excited. This event will be livestreamed.

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/worlds-of-wonder-amie-kaufman-in-conversation/

A collage showing a headshot of Kate Reid wearing a dark shirt with a beaded night sky design on the left and Laurie Woolever wearing a denim button-up shirt on the right.

A yellow background with the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March, bold black text 'Truth, Food and Memory: Kate Reid and Laurie Woolever’, and the front covers of Kate’s memoir Destination Moon and Laurie’s memoir Care and Feeding.

From working with a British Formula 1 racing team to the intense heat of New York kitchens and creating award-winning croissants, Kate Reid and @lauriewoolever.bsky.social have been shaped by ambition and a hunger for meaning. They will speak to Kate Evans at #NWF2026

🎟️ bit.ly/4rfO4ul

Kathy Lette is shown smiling, wearing a gold shirt in front of a white background.

a yellow background with the text 'Opening night: An Evening with Kathy Lette', the front cover of Kathy's novel, The Sisterhood, and the NWF logo and dates, 27-29 March.

Opening Night: An Evening with Kathy Lette

Prepare for brutal honesty and lots of laughter as the much-loved humorist reflects on writing, resilience, and the highs and lows of being a feminist of a certain age.

🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/events/an-evening-with-kathy-lette/

Andy Griffiths smiling while seated at a table with his arms folded, wearing a black t-shirt.

A light yellow background with the text 'Let’s Go with Andy Griffiths & Bill Hope', the front cover of their book, You & Me and the Peanut Butter Beast, and the NWF and Family Fun logos.

A huge congratulations to @andygbooks.bsky.social, who has been named the Australian Children’s Laureate 2026–2027!

You can catch Andy and illustrator Bill Hope at our #NWF2026 Family Fun Day. Recommended for ages 6 to 12

Learn more and book tickets at bit.ly/4ax1Lhr

A photo of Randa wearing a silk, Olive dress, with her long brown hair out and foliage out of focus in the background. Black text on a light yellow rectangle was added that states, '2nd event added. Sun, 29 March, 6.30pm - 7.30pm Concert Hall, City Hall'.

NEW EVENT ADDED | Discipline: Randa Abdel-Fattah in Conversation

Randa Abdel‑Fattah's recent novel Discipline follows the intersecting lives of Hannah, a young Muslim newspaper journalist, and Ashraf, an academic. It is a timely exploration of truth and power.

Book tickets at bit.ly/462nCvT