Several significant writers festivals are taking place this winter; the Mildura Writers Festival (14–17 July 2016), National Play Festival (July 27 – 30 2016), West Writers Forum: Our Stories (July 29 – 31 2016), Bendigo Writers Festival (August 12–14 2016) and Melbourne Writers Festival (August 26–September 4 2016).

Mildura Writers Festival
 

Beginning in 1994 in Stefano de Pieri’s cellar restaurant, the Mildura Writers Festival retains its intimacy, but has evolved to include workshops, a writer-in-residence program and the Mildura Indigenous Writers Award. This year’s program features David Malouf, Les Murray and Tony Birch.

National Play Festival
 

Playwriting Australia’s national festival is an annual celebration of new writing for the stage. Over four days,  some of Australia and New Zealand’s most exciting emerging and established playwriting and theatre-making talent will gather for a series of artist talks, readings and masterclasses.

West Writers Forum: Our Stories
 

This festival celebrates stories in all their forms – spoken, poetry, memoir, illustration and more with discussion, workshops and performance.  It explores what stories means to a wide range of communities and the ways these can represent the diversity of narratives and voices in Australia’s literary scene.

Bendigo Writers Festival
 

Headlining this year’s Bendigo Writers Festival is Julian Assange, who will share his story via video link. Now in its fifth year, the festival will feature more than 100 writers, thinkers and commentators. Other guests including Cheryl Strayed whose bestselling book Wild and subsequent film retraced her impulsive 2000-mile marathon walk, as well as local best-selling authors Di Morrissey, Helen Garner, Peter Singer and Hannie Rayson.

Melbourne Writers Festival
 

Now in its 31st year, Melbourne Writers Festival will this year bring together hundreds of the best writers from Australia and around the world, to take part in storytelling, conversation, debate, live performance, music and arts events for readers of all ages.

Victoria: the write place to be

As a UNESCO City of Literature, Melbourne offers many opportunities to curl up with a good book – or to spend time with someone who has written one.