Emerging Writers' Festival

Announcing the 2026 Richell Prize shortlist, in partnership with Hachette Australia! Of the 1,022 entries, the judging panel has narrowed it down to just six shortlisted entries. Head to the official announcement on the EWF blog: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/blog/2026/an...

Looking back on our opening event of EWF 2026, an evening of Blak rage, horror and retribution! 🔥 Want to be part of events like this, or want to pitch your own? Keep your eyes out for our yearly Open Artist Call-Out coming at the end of the year!

We are delighted, along with Hannah Richell and the Richell family, and in partnership with Hachette Australia, to announce the longlist for the 2026 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers. For full info and insight into the judging, see here: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/blog/2026/20...

Today, our 2026 festival begins! Join us tonight for Opening Night: .RETRIBUTION., an evening of Indigenous self-determination from Blak writers from across the continent. Check out what's on offer: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/festival/ We are so excited to share these next ten days with you!

Launching EWF and Blindside Gallery's 2026 Texting Images season, writers respond to 'found images' with new ekphrastic writing. 📅 Thursday 17 September, 6-7PM 📍 Blindside Gallery, North Melbourne 🎟 Free tickets available now Book your spot here: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/textin...

Part of the heritage of South Asia, a mehfil is an intimate, often formal gathering for the performing arts. Hear our featured performers take you through a queer reimagining of this affair. 📍 Studio Take Care 📅 13 Sept, 8.30-10PM 🎫 Selling fast: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/modern...

Get exclusive industry insights with editors, publicists and publishing professionals from Simon & Schuster, at LIFECYCLE OF A BOOK! 📚 📍 The Wheeler Centre 📅 Thursday 17 September, 9:00AM-2:15PM 🎫 Tickets from $50: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/lifecy...

Our community litfair is back! Join us for an evening of wandering stalls offering zines, homemade wares, independent books, magazines, and more! CLOSING NIGHT LITFAIR 📍 Abbotsford Convent 📅 18 Sept, 5.30PM 🎫 Tix from $10: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/closin...

'My Cosmic Horror Coworker Introduced Me To a Board Game She Likes, and I Realised I Have No Life' Samara-Jade Sendek is the next EWF26 artist featured, as part of our digital exhibition 'Nostalgic Debris', presented in partnership with Junkee Media: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/nostal...

A new generation of First Nations writers is changing the shape of literature. moirra., Samara-Jade Sendek & Lay Maloney discuss finding their voices & writing towards futures that generations prior made possible 📅 5 Sept 12:30pm 📍 The Wheeler Centre Tix here: events.humanitix.com/bbwf26-tomor...

EWF IS HIRING 😲 Our Executive Director/co-CEO role is now open for applications! In this role, you'll oversee the finances, human resources, governance, and day-to-day management of the organisation. Applications are open until 12 October Apply here: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/work-with-us/

EWF is both a stage for the upcoming emerging creative and the seasoned storyteller ready to share their knowledge. So there's no surprise on our end if you've come across some of our featured writer's work before. Come see them at #EWF26 this September emergingwritersfestival.org.au

Ahead of the #EWF26 Festival event PRICELESS ADVICE (Sept 17) at Jolt Arts, the EWF Team shares some of the worst writing advice we've ever heard... Tickets for PRICELESS ADVICE and more are available now over on our website: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/festival/

'the places & things called nowhere' Danii Jasmine is the first of our artists to speak to the nostalgic debris of our lives, as part of our partnership with Junkee Media Check out the digital exhibition as it drops: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/nostal...

Our 2026 Guest Curator, moirra., shared a taste of our upcoming evening of Blak self-determination, with First Nations writers from across the continent... OPENING NIGHT: .RETRIBUTION. 📍 Victorian Trades Hall 📅 Thurs 10 Sept, 6.30PM 🎫 Free / PWYW tix: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/openin...

Join Tasmanian poet and researcher of Trawlwoolway descent, Chloe Mayne, in conversation on the challenges of being a neurodiverse writer. DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE 📍 Kathleen Syme Library & Community Centre 📅 17 Sept, 6-7PM 🎫 Free / Pay-What-You-Wish tix: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/down-t...

Not only did Lucy Xu bring the room to tears at our 2026 Program Launch, she will also be performing her work at Modern Mehfil -- an evening of poetic yearning. 📍 Studio Take Care, Brunswick 📅 13 Sept, 8.30PM 🎫 Free / Pay-What-You-Wish tix: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/modern...

Did you miss Ella Rowe at our program launch? Don't stress, you can catch her at Stori: Storytelling in Melanesia, a celebration of Melanesian stories at Abbotsford Convent. 📅 16 Sept, 8pm-9pm 📍 Abbotsford Convent 🎟️ Pay-What-You-Wish: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/stori-...

Thank you for celebrating the EWF26 launch with us! If you missed out, join us for Opening Night: .RETRIBUTION., an night of Blak writing and Indigenous self-determination! 🔥 📍 Victorian Trades Hall 📅 10 Sept, 6.30PM 🎫 Free / Pay-What-You-Wish tix: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/openin...

😐 Advice is often dished out when it’s simply not asked for. At EWF26, writers are letting loose about times they’ve received bogus advice, and how it’s been a spite-fuelled path success. PRICELESS ADVICE 📅 17 Sept, 8PM 📍 Jolt Arts 🎫 Tix from $15: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/pricel...

Expand your definition of love at a lighthearted variety night! Indulge with us in poetry, performance, laughter, and mayhaps... a chance to share a confession of your own. 👀 CRUSH CABARET at EWF26 📅 12 Sept, 8-9PM 📍 Jolt Arts 🎫 Tickets from $15: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/crush-...

In an age of increased displacement, how do we find our way home? TAPESTRIES OF HOME at EWF26 📅 Tuesday 15 September, 8pm-9pm 📍 Balam Balam Place 🎫 Tickets from $15 Book your spot here: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/tapest... We can't wait to see you there!

Whether you're there irl or online, the 2026 National Writers' Conference is your chance to connect with the publishing industry and learn from literary industry experts. 📍 The Wheeler Centre & online 📅 Sat 12 & Sun 13 Sept 🎫 Full weekend passes here: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/nation...

Applications open! Are you a zinester, grassroots collective, maker or indie magazine? We'd love to have you table at our Closing Night Litfair happening at Abbotsford Convent, 18 September 5.30-9PM. Applications close this Friday 14 Aug: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/closin...

EWF OPENING NIGHT: .RETRIBUTION. 🔥 Experience a night of terror, rage, and retribution, featuring readings from Blak writers from across the continent. 📅 When: 10 Sept 2026, 6.30-7.30PM 📍 Where: Victorian Trades Hall 🎟️ Pay-What-You-Wish 🚨 Book now: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/openin...

Join us for the opening night of EWF26: .RETRIBUTION. led by EWF Guest Curator moirra at Victorian Trades Hall, 10 September from 6:30PM. The festival has much to offer between our opening night and our Closing Night Litfair at Abbotsford Convent on 18 September, 5:30PM.

✨ We are so excited to launch our 2026 festival program! Experience new literature at Fitzroy Pool, connect with other writers online, soak up industry insights at the National Writers' Conference, or go wherever your creativity takes you... Book your tickets here: emergingwritersfestival.org.au

Tomorrow, we launch our 2026 festival program, and we can't wait to share it all with you tomorrow night. Book in your spot or register for the livestream here: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/ewf-2026-pro... See you then! 🫶

We are thrilled to open a call for volunteers for our 2026 festival, running from 10-18 September! A great opportunity to support exciting literary events, meet writers and artists, and gain behind-the-scenes experience. 💌 ✨ Apply here: emergingwritersfestival.wufoo.com/forms/ewf26-...

Our 2026 Program Launch less than a week away! We can't wait to share it with you! 💛 Join us at The Wheeler Centre, Wednesday 5 August, 6:30PM - 8:30PM -- grab free tickets here: www.wheelercentre.com/events-ticke...

One week left to claim your discounted National Writers' Conference tickets! Spend the weekend 12-13 September at The Wheeler Centre, in the company of publishing professionals, fellow emerging writers, and literary virtuosos. Claim your discount: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/blog/2026/20...

Our 2026 Program Launch is coming next week, and we can't wait to share it with you! 💜 Join us at The Wheeler Centre, Wednesday 5 August, 6:30PM - 8:30PM -- grab free tickets here: www.wheelercentre.com/events-ticke...

Our 2026 Program Launch is right around the corner! 😍 Join us at The Wheeler Centre, Wednesday 5 August, 6:30PM - 8:30PM -- grab free tickets here: www.wheelercentre.com/events-ticke...

Less than TWO WEEKS until we unveil our 2026 festival program! 😍 Join us at The Wheeler Centre, Wednesday 5 August, 6:30PM - 8:30PM -- grab free tickets here: www.wheelercentre.com/events-ticke...

Join Access Lab & Library at our upcoming Masterclass- Authorship, Algorithms & Access in the Digital Commons. 📆 11AM-3.15PM, Saturday 25 July 📍 Brunswick Mechanics Institute & streamed online 🎟️ In-person and online tickets available from $35: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/digital-writ...

Join Tom Sulston at our upcoming Masterclass, Authorship, Algorithms & Access in the Digital Commons. 📆 11AM-3.15PM, Saturday 25 July 📍 Brunswick Mechanics Institute & streamed online 🎟️ In-person and online tickets available from $35: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/digital-writ...

Join Ximena Jiménez at our upcoming Masterclass, Authorship, Algorithms & Access in the Digital Commons. 📆 11AM-3.15PM, Saturday 25 July 📍 Brunswick Mechanics Institute & streamed online 🎟️ In-person and online tickets available from $35: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/digital-writ...

Join Rory Gillen at our upcoming Masterclass, Authorship, Algorithms & Access in the Digital Commons. 📆 11AM-3.15PM, Saturday 25 July 📍 Brunswick Mechanics Institute & streamed online 🎟️ In-person and online tickets available from $35: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/digital-writ...

Join James Nguyen at our Masterclass- Authorship, Algorithms & Access in the Digital Commons Explore the possibilities of writing in network with experimental and vital practices. 📆 25 July 📍 Brunswick Mechanics Institute & online 🎟️ Tickets from $35: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/digital-writ...

Our friends at Sprig Magazine are open for ISSUE 04 submissions to Australian artists! You can submit via the link in their bio ⏰ Submissions close AUGUST 2ND ! THIS WILL BE THEIR FINAL OPEN CALL OF THE YEAR 🌱🌀 Don't forget to read their submission guidelines: submit2sprig.netlify.app/submit

Take your story to The Next Chapter, The Wheeler Centre’s landmark writing program. Each Next Chapter writer will receive a $15,000 stipend and be paired with a handpicked mentor to work with them on their writing project. Closing soon on 31 July 2026: www.wheelercentre.com/the-next-cha...

The National Writers' Conference is back in 2026, coming to The Wheeler Centre for a whole weekend, 12-13 September! To celebrate, we're releasing EARLY-BIRD TICKETS! DON'T MISS OUT! Claim your discount: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/blog/2026/20...

Announcing Bridie Noonan as the winner of the 2026 Speculate Prize, presented in partnership with RMIT University. ✨ Congrats also to Alina Ivanova on their highly-commended piece, and shortlisted pieces by Isaac Hogarth and Gigi Bone. 👏 👉 Learn more: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/blog/2026/20...

Authorship, Algorithms and Access in the Digital Commons - a half-day masterclass presented in partnership with Next Wave! 📆 11AM-3.15PM, Saturday 25 July 📍 Brunswick Mechanics Institute & online 🎟️ In-person and online tickets available from $35: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/digital-writ...

Thank you to everyone who has donated to EWF, for showing your support for the arts this EOFY! None of what we do is possible without the generosity of EWF's supporters and our Bookmarkers. Any one-off or ongoing donation impacts the future of the arts: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/donate/

With one tax-deductible donation, you can directly affect the lives of hundreds of emerging writers! Just ten people donating $15 each averages one emerging writer getting commissioned for new creative work at EWF. 👉 Support the future of the arts: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/donate/

Meet moirra., EWF’s 2026 Guest Curator! ✨ moirra. (he/him/hir; xe/xer/xers) is a Yorta Yorta, Boon Wurrung, & Jewish transsexual poet, writer & artist. We chatted to moirra. to get know xer better before you can see xer at our Program Launch on 5 Aug: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/blog/2026/20...

How can you directly support the arts this EOFY? By supporting EWF, you're able to directly affect the lives of hundreds of working writers across the continent, with one tax-deductible donation! Support the future of new voices in the arts: emergingwritersfestival.org.au/donate/

DEADLINE EXTENDED!!! 🥳 In partnership with Latrobe City Council, EWF is seeking EOIs from writers in the Latrobe City Council area to run a creative workshop at the 2026 Emerging Writers' Festival. Submit your workshop pitch: emergingwritersfestival.wufoo.com/forms/emergi...

We are officially launching our 2026 festival program, and you're invited! ⌛ Wed 5 August, 6.30PM 📍 The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 🎟️ Free tickets via The Wheeler Centre website: www.wheelercentre.com/cms-preview-...