A celebration of storytelling

The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival kicks off from 15 to 17 May, showcasing incredible storytellers, creative thinkers and artists from our own backyard, as well as special guests from interstate and abroad.

Now in its 18th year, this year’s theme The Universe is Made of Stories, brings with it a stellar lineup of workshops, conversations, panels and special events.

This year, the program is the perfect mashup of emerging and established authors, journalists, innovators and big thinkers who will share their fascinating stories, writing tips and creative processes with book lovers from all over Western Australia, and beyond.

The international line-up features Australian icons, Bryan Brown and Shaun Micallef, 2025 Booker Prize winner David Szalay (Canada), rockstar philosopher Professor A.C Grayling (UK), and environmentalist and former Greens leader Bob Brown (Australia).

Busselton Book Festival returns with a packed program of author talks, workshops and storytelling activities. Busselton Library will host acclaimed historical fiction author Bernice Barry (Australia) for a workshop diving into authentic historical storytelling from research to writing, or join Prema Arasu (Australia) at Dunsborough Library for the Speculative and Experimental Fiction workshop and learn how to write from the perspective of the non-human kind.

Shelter Brewing Co is this year’s festival hub. Acclaimed crime writers Dervla McTiernan (Ireland) and David Whish-Wilson (Australia) will be In Conversation, plus workshops and interviews all weekend.

This year, the festival unveils an exciting new space, The Discovery Tent, a dynamic hub featuring interactive storytelling sessions, writers’ workshops, and engaging talks for children and families.

Ingrid Cumming from the Undalup Association will host Wadandi Words, a fun-filled family workshop for guests to discover Noongar and Wadandi words for animals, family members, and more through craft and interactive play.

Kathryn Heyman (Australia) and Katherine Johnson (Australia) will launch their latest novel with an intimate conversation.

The exciting and jam-packed 2026 program has officially launched, so pencil in your favourite events and grab your tickets now!

These special events will happen all over the Margaret River Region, with Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia as the festival hub.

For all the latest on the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival, including author and special event announcements, follow the Festival page on Facebook, or check out the event page.