Join us for three days of storytelling, poetry and conversation.

From 15–17 August 2025, writers from across Australia will gather to share ideas, spark imagination, and celebrate the power of language.

We’re ready to help you find your story.

Featured Events:

Poetry Slam

Locals take on published poets in a fast-paced showdown at Roth’s Wine Bar. Expect big feelings and a few surprises as wildcard performers and open mic contenders step up onto the stage. Whether you're keen to perform or just soak up the energy — this is spoken word at its electric best.

Location: Roth’s Wine Bar
Time: 6.30pm, Friday 15 August
Cost: $15

Breakfast with: Victoria Purman & Kelly Rimmer

Join two of Australia’s best loved fiction authors, Victoria Purman and Kelly Rimmer, as they discuss their latest novels over a delicious breakfast. Don’t miss discovering how they write strong women and bring the past to life on the page.

Location: Blue Wren Farm
Time: 8am - 9.30am, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $50

Together Out West

In Partnership with WestWords

After the success of last year’s Queer Out West event, we’re proud to bring the WestWords crew back to Mudgee! Join Jelena Curic, Kathie Elliott-Scott, Michelle Hamadache, J. Marahuyo and Pete Shmigel for an evening of food, songs and laughter as these writers shares stories that are both ordinary and extraordinary at once: moments of love, reconnection with heritage and the human dimension of the war against Ukranians; the experiences of people living with disability and those that care for them; of reclaiming life and rediscovering the soul’s song.

Ticket includes a two-course dinner by Relish Catering with the bar by local winery Gooree Park.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 7pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $90 (includes two-course dinner and drink on arrival)

Lazy Long Lunch

Before becoming an international bestselling author, Chris Hammer wrote The River: a Journey through the Murray Darling Basin. Join Chris over a three-course lunch by Relish Catering, with beverages from Yeates Wines, as he discusses his career and how the places and issues in The River have inspired the settings of his crime novels.

Location: Yeates Wines
Time: 1pm, Sunday 17 August
Cost: $125 (includes 3-course-lunch & drink on arrival. Additional drinks available for purchase)

Workshop: Creating Narrative Drive

Tension on every page is the key to narrative drive, whether you’re writing fiction, memoir or any narrative work. In this practical workshop, you'll learn why narrative drive is essential to storytelling and discover how to create properly structured, tension-filled scenes that fuel story momentum. Facilitated by Ashley Kalagian-Blunt.

Location: Mudgee Library
Time: 10am - 12pm, Friday 15 August
Cost: $25

Saturday 16 August & Sunday 17 August 2025:

Cadance Bell: Letters to Our Robot Son

Join Australian author, showrunner, producer, director, writer, and former Mudgee local, Cadance Bell, as she discuss her latest novel Letters to Our Robot Son. An unexpected story of life, family, hope and redemption—at the end of the world (maybe). Hosted by Beejay Silcox.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 10am-11am, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $15

Love, Laughter & Happily Ever After

Why do we keep falling for romantic comedies, and what makes a love story stick? Join Leesa Ronald and Karina May for a conversation about chemistry, comedy and the joy of writing (and reading) romance. From meet-cutes to miscommunication, they’ll unpack the tropes, truths and tender moments that make readers’ hearts race.

Location: Mudgee Library
Time: 10am - 11.00am, Saturday 16 August
Cost: Free

Poetic Activism

Poetry is a powerful form for breaking down barriers and amplifying voices. Join Rataj Abdullah, Lulu Houdini and Sara M. Saleh as they talk about harnessing the power of poetry to share what matters. Hosted by Manjot Kaur.

Location: Mudgee Arts Precinct
Time: 11.30am - 12.30pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: Free

Bylines & Deadlines

What happens when seasoned journalists turn their pens to fiction? Two of our country’s finest crime writers, Chris Hammer and Matthew Spencer, discuss how a background in news reporting shapes their approach to suspense, character and writing unforgettable crime fiction. Hosted by Rhys Gard.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 11.30am - 12.30pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $15

Where Fact Ends & Fiction Begins

Writers of historical fiction walk a fine line — how do they draw the difference between ‘historicising’ fiction and fictionalising history? Join Lauren Keegan, Julie Janson, Kyra Geddes, and host Victoria Purman as they attempt to untangle the question.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 1pm - 2pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $15

Technology & The Future of Crime Fiction

Technology is changing everything, including our favourite crime fiction. Join Sam Guthrie, Matthew Spencer and Ashley Kalagian Blunt as they explore how digital landscapes are reshaping character, motive and detective work on the page—and what the future might hold for the genre. Hosted by Beejay Silcox.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $15

Bibliotherapy with Jenn Martin

Looking for a book to soothe or to stimulate? Stuck on what to read at this particular time in your life? See our expert Jenn Martin for a dose of bibliotherapy and come away with reading suggestions tailored to your needs.

Location: Mudgee Library
Time: 10am - 12pm, Saturday 16 August.
Cost: Free—book with our volunteers on the day!

Living & Writing from Regional Australia

What does the writing life look like in the bush? Authors Summer Land, Kelly Rimmer, Leesa Ronald and Lauren Keegan share the realities of living and creating outside of the city—from juggling day jobs and family life to finding inspiration in the landscapes and communities they call home. A candid conversation about balance, creativity and the power of place. Hosted by Rebecca Saunders.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 4pm - 5pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $15

Sarah M. Saleh: In Conversation

Award-winning poet, writer, lawyer and human rights advocate Sara M. Saleh joins us for a powerful conversation about language, identity and resistance. Her debut novel Songs for the Dead and the Living and acclaimed poetry collection The Flirtation of Girls and Monsters explore diaspora, belonging and the many ways we carry our histories.

Location: Mudgee Library
Time: 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: Free

Algorithms & the Apocalypse

As artificial intelligence advances and world alliances realign, writers are confronting new questions about power, identity and possibility. Join Cadance Bell and Sam Guthrie in a conversation about storytelling in a time of transformation. Hosted by Jenn Martin.

Location: Mudgee Arts Precinct
Time: 1pm - 2pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $15

Book & Wine Matching

We’re lucky to hold our festival in gorgeous Central West wine country, combining the joys of book and wine appreciation. This year we’ve taken this love of books and wine a step further—join The Book Nest’s Portia Lindsay and winemaker James Manners as they match local wines to fascinating books from our program.

Location: The Courthouse Hotel, Mudgee
Time: 4-5pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: $20

Julie Janson: Compassion

Compassion is the dramatised life story of one of Julie Janson’s ancestors who went on trial for stealing livestock in New South Wales. A gripping fictive account of Aboriginal life in the 1800s, Compassion has been shortlisted for both the ACT Literary Award and The Miles Franklin Literary Award. Join Julie Janson, one of our most significant authors at work today.

Location: Mudgee Library
Time: 4-5pm, Saturday 16 August
Cost: Free

The State of Publishing

A critic, bookseller, novelist and a librarian walk into a bar …
Join Beejay Silcox, Portia Lindsay, Karina May and host Jenn Martin for a discussion about the state of publishing in Australia (and around the world).

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 9am - 10am, Sunday 17 August
Cost: $15

Sunday Storytime

Join local illustrator Lisa Kennedy and author Lisa Melichar, as they read from their book, There Is Time.For ages 4-7.

Location: Mudgee Library
Time: 10am - 11am, Sunday 17 August
Cost: Free

Homegrown Verses

Join Mudgee region poets Jorie Ryan, Eila Jameson-Avey and Johanna May for a chat about their writing and their community.

Location: The Book Nest Mudgee
Time: 12pm-1pm, Sunday 17 August
Cost: Free

Recognising Louisa Lawson

Join novelist Kyra Geddes—author of The Story Thief— and sculptor Margot Stephens—creator of Mudgee’s Louisa Lawson statue—as they discuss their interest in history and how it influences their creative practice.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 10.30am - 11.30am, Sunday 17 August
Cost: $15

On Our Terms

From family, to rivers, to mob ways of care – join Rob Waters, Aunty Cathy Trindall, and Lulu Houdini as they talk ‘what it means to be us, on our own terms’.

Location: Mudgee Library
Time: 10.30am - 11.30am
Cost: Free

Thinking Differently: A Conversation with David Holmgren

Presented in partnership with Watershed Landcare
What does a resilient, sustainable future look like, and how can we help shape it in our own communities? Join Permaculture co-originator David Holmgren via video-link for an inspiring conversation with Maddie O’Brien from Watershed Landcare. Together they’ll explore practical ways we can live and grow by drawing on local knowledge and regenerative ideas.

Location: Town Hall Theatre
Time: 12pm - 1pm, Sunday 17 August
Cost: $15

The Tortured Readers’ Group

High schoolers assemble! We know you love reading and so do we—join the crew to discuss new releases, old favourites and what makes a great YA read. Bring along something from your reading pile. Snacks and juice provided. For ages 15-18. Hosted by Amelia Disher with special guest author Tyrolin Puxty.

Location: The Book Nest
Time: 1.30pm - 2.30pm, Sunday 17 August
Cost: Free

Contact the host of Mudgee Readers' Festival

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