Right – time to get out your diaries and make a note of this year’s writers’ festivals. They’ll be happening in most states around the country right throughout 2010.
The first big festival for the year is the Adelaide Writers’ Week, part of the Adelaide Festival, and they've already announced a stellar line-up of international and Australian authors. Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting, Crime), Sarah Waters (2009 Booker Prize shortlisted The Little Stranger), Audrey Niffeneger (The Time Traveller’s Wife) and Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) are just some of the international writers visiting. Australian authors appearing include Markus Zusak (The Book Thief), Cate Kennedy (The World Beneath), Brian Castro and Tom Kenneally.
Adelaide Festival Writers Week - 28 February to 5 March 2010
Other festivals have confirmed dates but not yet their programs, so keep these dates free and watch out for more details.
Perth Writers Festival - 26 February to 1 March 2010
Darwin Writers' Festival - 13 to 16 May 2010 (I'm waiting on confirmation of dates and details for this one but keep an eye on the NT Writers' Centre website.)
Sydney Writers’ Festival - 17 to 23 May 2010
Emerging Writers’ Festival - 21 to 30 May 2010
Melbourne Writers’ Festival - 27 August to 5 September 2010
Byron Bay Writers Festival - 6 to 8 August 2010
Brisbane Writers Festival - 1 to 5 September 2010
If you think you might like to travel a little further afield for your literary fix this year, there are a number of festivals coming up in New Zealand.
New Zealand Post Readers and Writers Week - 26 February to 21 March 2010 (apparently a little longer than a week)
Auckland Writers and Readers Festival - 12 to 16 May 2010 (this one’s affiliated with the Sydney Writers’ Festival so expect a similar line-up)
Bali will also play host to a number of international, Australian and Indonesian writers when the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival happens in October. This one is fast becoming one of the most important writers festivals for the region – and we’ll be there! Well, anyone who takes part in our Writing in Bali program will be. Details are still being confirmed, but if you’re interested check out our website and register your details. We’ll contact you when we’ve finalised the itinerary.
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival - 6 to 10 October 2010
