We're thrilled to announce that we are among 44 organisations to receive support from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund for Story Hunter, our unique schools program. The funding will enable the festival to offer Story Hunter for free in primary schools across the region in the first half of 2026.

Join historian William Dalrymple for an evening exploring India's profound influence, as revealed in his bestselling books and chart-topping podcast Empire. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom and presented by Fane Australia and How To Academy. Learn more and book tickets at fane.com.au/whats-on/an-...

Congratulations to Hunter region writer Jessie Ansons, who was awarded the 2025 Fresh Ink Emerging Writer Prize and to the shortlisted writers Shannon Benton, Carlie Slattery, Monique Wallace and Sylvia Wilczynski. Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the special event with US film and TV identity Griffin Dunne last night. Griffin spoke to festival director Rosemarie Milsom about his brilliant family memoir The Friday Afternoon Club, which is filled with drama, celebrity, and tragedy.

Meet Fresh Ink Prize shortlisted writer, Monique Wallace Monique lives on Awabakal land and is an avid writer both in her professional and personal life. Her work is featured in Kill Your Darlings, and Teacher, Teacher. Learn more www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/

Meet Fresh Ink Prize shortlisted writer Sylvia Wilczynski Sylvia’s projects as a screen producer include Bomb Harvest released on ABC and in cinemas around Australia to 4-star reviews, and The Rocket, which won over 50 awards. Learn more www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist

Meet 2025 Fresh Ink Prize shortlisted writer, Carlie Slattery Carlie is a writer and freelance editor living in Northern NSW. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) and previously worked at multiple newspapers. Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/

Meet 2025 Fresh Ink Prize shortlisted writer, Shannon Benton! Shannon is an emerging Hunter region writer whose work delves into memory, dementia, and the complexities of mother–daughter relationships. Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/

Meet Jessie Ansons! Jessie is a Hunter region writer whose short stories have been published in the Newcastle Herald, Canberra Times, Catchfire Press anthology, and the Hunter Writers Centre Grieve Project. Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/

A huge thank you to the judges of the 2025 Fresh Ink Emerging Writers Prize, Courtney Collins and Natasha Rai. The winner will be announced at a special event on 25 October. Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/

We are hiring a Volunteer Coordinator! This fixed-term role is essential to the successful delivery of the 2026 festival, overseeing the recruitment, training, scheduling, and support of our team of 150 volunteers. Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/volunteer-coordinator-2025/

Thank you to everyone who attended our packed event with Bob Brown on Tuesday night. Bob spoke to Rosemarie Milsom about his new book, Defiance, in which he encourages people to take action to protect the environment.

I spoke with Hollywood legend and writer Griffin Dunne (nephew of John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion) ahead of his visit to Newcastle this month. Here’s a taste. Grab your tickets, Novocastrians! @newwritersfest.bsky.social #books #writing #movies #Hollywood #JoanDidion youtu.be/u9TCsNoUJ_c?...

We are thrilled to announce the five regional NSW writers who have been shortlisted for the 2025 Fresh Ink Prize. Congratulations to Jessie Ansons, Shannon Benton, Carlie Slattery, Monique Wallace and Sylvia Wilczynski! Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-shortlist/

Don't miss our last combined Story Hunter workshops for 2025! These workshops are designed for high-potential and gifted students, providing a space to work alongside other young writers from schools in our region, guided by the team at Story Hunter. Book at events.humanitix.com/host/newcast...

We are seeking a Volunteer Coordinator! This role is essential to the successful delivery of the 2026 festival, overseeing the recruitment, training, scheduling, and onsite support of our team of 150 volunteers. Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/volunteer-coordinator-2025/

A big thank you to Sally Hepworth for launching her new book Mad Mabel in Newcastle last night. Sally spoke about her inspiration for the book, her 10th, as well as the relationship at the centre of the novel. "There's no greater love story than platonic female friendship." Go well, Mad Mabel.

Don't miss our special event with Sally Hepworth on Tuesday evening! Sally will discuss her new novel, Mad Mabel, with #NWF program manager Amy Lovat 🎟️ Get your tickets at events.humanitix.com/nwf-sally-he...

Griffin Dunne sits down with festival director Rosemarie Milsom to discuss his memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club, his star-studded childhood, decades-long Hollywood career, and the glamour and tragedy of his larger-than-life family. Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/nwf-griffin-...

For half a century, Bob Brown has been standing up to the powerful interests who would put profit before planet. In his new book Defiance, he draws on this experience to inspire a new generation of individual and collective action. Hosted by Rosemarie Milsom 🎟️ events.humanitix.com/nwf-BOB-BROWN/

Join journalists Eric Beecher and @squigglyrick.bsky.social as they shed light on the state of media and what it means for the future of democracy. Hosted by Kylie Morris at #NWF2025 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/

Join us for an evening with US actor, director, producer and New York Times best-selling author Griffin Dunne. He will speak with festival director Rosemarie Milsom about his family memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club, and his career in film and television. 🎟️ events.humanitix.com/nwf-griffin-...

Helen Garner returns with her signature candour and wit in an exuberant new book The Season, an account from the sidelines of the highs and lows of her youngest grandson’s footy team. Helen spoke with NWF director Rosemarie Milsom at #NWF2025 🎧 www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/

Submissions for the 2025 Fresh Ink Prize close 23.59pm AEST 8 September! Learn more and submit at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize/

Join us for an evening with best-selling writer Sally Hepworth, who will discuss her new novel Mad Mabel with #NWF program manager Amy Lovat. Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/nwf-sally-he...

In his book Always Was, Always Will Be, @thomasmayo.bsky.social investigates 'what's next?' for reconciliation and justice in Australia after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum. He spoke with Clare Wright at #NWF2025. 🎧 Listen at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/

Join us for the first event in our Spring Program, the launch of Newcastle poet Keri Glastonbury's 51 Alterities, a collection that satirically reimagines our era of chaos and chicanery. Hosted by poet and editor Chris Brown. FREE event. Learn more and book at events.humanitix.com/book-launch-...

High potential and gifted 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. Book online at events.humanitix.com/host/newcast...

For 25 years, award-winning author Michelle de Kretser has been dazzling readers with her novels. She spoke with Kate Evans about craft, creativity, and the enduring influence of Virginia Woolf at #NWF2025. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts

We were thrilled to attend the launch of Salsa in the Suburbs by Alejandra Martinez, winner of the 2022 Fresh Ink Prize ✨ Emerging writers living in regional NSW are invited to submit to the 2025 Prize. Learn more and submit at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize/

From larger-than-life adventures to vivid and poignant tales of the imagination, no one tells a yarn quite like Jimmy Barnes. He spoke with Richard Glover at #NWF2025. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Festival Producer to support the presentation of the 2026 festival and other events. ‼️ Applications close 5pm AEST 1 September. Learn more and apply at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/festival-producer-role/

David Owen Kelly’s Host City fuses memoir with alternative history to spin a tale of joy and survival. He speaks with Keri Glastonbury. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/

We are delighted to announce a special Spring Program featuring an exciting lineup of Australian and international writers. Learn more and book tickets at collections.humanitix.com/2025-nwf-spr...

Courtney Collins, Hayley Scrivenor, and Jessie Tu open up to Amy Lovat about imposter syndrome, creative blocks, and debunk second-book blues. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/podcasts/

In their most recent novels, Melanie Cheng, Raeden Richardson, and Molly Schmidt grapple with the turbulent relationship between love and loneliness. They speak to Steph Harmon about the complexities of grief. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at bit.ly/4mPqnat

We are inviting emerging writers living in regional NSW to submit to the 2025 Fresh Ink Emerging Writers Prize ✨ Learn more and submit at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-fresh-ink-prize/

‼️ Submissions for the 2026 festival, which will be held from 27 to 29 March, close at 5 pm on Monday Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2026-program-submissions/

In the first episode of our 2025 #StoriesToYou podcast series, recorded at this year's festival, international bestseller Markus Zusak sheds light on the good, the bad, and the ugly moments in a life full of love, sorrow, and success. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at bit.ly/4mPqnat

Celebrate the launch of Amy Lovat's second novel, Big Feelings: An anti-romantic comedy, from 6pm on 17 July at Newcastle Library. Learn more and RSVP at bit.ly/449WKcH

Congratulations to Alejandra Martinez & Lucy Nelson on the launch of their debut books. Both were finalists in our 2022 Fresh Ink Prize for emerging regional NSW writers, with Alejandra winning $5K for professional development thanks to Elephant in the Room wines. This year's prize opens on 21 July.

We are welcoming submissions from published writers at all stages of their careers to participate in #NWF2026, which will be held from 27 to 29 March ✨📚 Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2026-program-submissions/

We are welcoming submissions from published writers at all stages of their careers to participate in the 2026 festival, which will be held from 27 to 29 March ✨📚 Learn more at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2026-program-submissions/

We are thrilled to announce that Newcastle Writers Festival has secured multi-year funding through the government’s arts body, Create NSW. Learn more about the funding and what it means for NWF at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/festival-secures-funding/

Our special event with Professor A. C. Grayling, scheduled for 7.30pm tonight at the University of Newcastle’s Brennan Room, will now be held at Newcastle Library. If you purchased tickets, please check your email for further updates. If you have questions email [email protected]

Join us for a compelling keynote on 20 May with eminent British philosopher @acgrayling.bsky.social, centred on his new book Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars. 🎟️ www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/grayling-special-event/

Throwback to Word & Music at #NWF2025 with these brilliant images captured by Perry Duffin 📸 This special event, curated by @nickmilligan.bsky.social, returned for its third year to celebrate music, literature and the nature of inspiration.

Shout out to Simone De Peak, who captured these moments at #NWF2025 📸 Want to see more photos from the festival? Head to the 2025 photo gallery page on our website www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/2025-photo-gallery/

Philosopher A.C. Grayling is coming to Newcastle! www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/grayling.../ @newwritersfest.bsky.social #booksky #diaryofacoastalbookseller

We’ve been lucky to have Liam Driver capturing NWF since 2017 and it's always a pleasure to see the weekend through his lens 📸 Enjoy this collection of photos captured by Liam at #NWF2025