Brisbane Writers Festival

27/08/2026

An update on Richard Flanagan's events: unfortunately Richard Flanagan is no longer able to appear at Brisbane Writers Festival in 2026.

Richard Flanagan says: “With regret and apologies to Brisbane readers, I have had to withdraw from the Brisbane Writers Festival because of a scheduling clash with a concurrent Polish book tour. Disappointed though I am not to be there, I would urge anyone in Brisbane in October to attend what promises to be a marvellous festival of great writers.”

BWF extends sincere apologies to all ticketholders, who have been notified via email.

We have extended an invitation to Richard to join BWF in 2027.

27/08/2026

Ditch the socks this Father’s Day! Give dad the gift of BWF tickets so he can hear from his favourite authors, discover his next page turner and grab a drink or bite to eat at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Maybe you can join him?!

Whether he’s interested in Formula 1, Australian history, comedy, American politics, finance and business, cooking, current affairs, thrillers, true stories of transformation, gardening, the Titanic, cold cases, friendship, morality, the man behind David Jones, or having a laugh, there’s a story for every dad!

Tickets: www.bwf.org.au

25/08/2026

What's your favourite thing about BWF?

25/08/2026

25/08/2026

Special BWF26 announcement!

Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern: A Different Kind of Power
5pm, Sunday 11 October
Brisbane City Hall
In conversation with Trent Dalton

In 2017, Jacinda Ardern became the world’s youngest female head of government when she was elected Prime Minister of New Zealand: she was thirty-seven years old and pregnant with her first child.

Through manifold personal and professional challenges, from the pandemic to parenting in the public eye, she led with humanity and grace, modelling a new kind of leadership.

In A Different Kind of Power, Ardern tells her story with candour and warmth, reminding us of what’s possible from our leaders.

Don’t miss this very special conversation between Jacinda Ardern and beloved Brisbane author Trent Dalton on the final day of BWF26.

Grab your tickets: https://bwf.org.au/2026/brisbane-writers-festival/jacinda-ardern-a-different-kind-of-power

20/08/2026

Meet the international authors at BWF 202!

We’ve got a stellar lineup of international writers to light up our 2026 festival.

Highlights include English author and Editor at Large of the London Review of Books Andrew O’Hagan, American journalist and writer Susan Orlean, global bestseller Alice Oseman of Heartstopper fame, rising English star Josh Silver, the wickedly brilliant Elaine Castillo, New York Times bestseller and TikTok queen Lyla Sage, and award-winning US speculative fiction author Charlie Jane Anders.

Enjoy a taste of the global literary landscape right here at the Brisbane Powerhouse!

Grab your tickets: www.bwf.org.au

19/08/2026

BWF26 volunteer callout!

BWF is looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our volunteer crew at this year’s festival.

With a supportive and friendly environment, volunteering at BWF allows you to meet like-minded people, learn valuable skills, attend events, and connect with fellow readers and writers.

Some of this year’s volunteer opportunities include:
Greenroom Assistant
Wayfinding
Marketing Assistant/Survey Collector
Book Signing
Pre-festival administration

For more information, please visit our website to read our volunteer FAQs or contact [email protected].

Apply now: https://bwf.org.au/support/volunteering

18/08/2026

Don't miss the Brisbane launch of Liane Moriarty's new book - and the sequel to Big Little Lies - BIG LITTLE TRUTHS!

Join Liane as she shares the story behind the story (and all the inside goss about the TV series!) with Lise and Sarah.

7pm, Friday 4 September
Brisbane City Hall

Tickets: https://bwf.org.au/2026/out-of-season-events-2026/liane-moriarty-big-little-truths

18/05/2026

Last call for tomorrow night's double-header!

Join us tomorrow 19th May at Brisbane City Hall to hear from two acclaimed international authors as they make a rare trip to Australia: Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, followed by thriller writer Mick Herron of Slow Horses fame.

Why is trust today’s most essential superpower? Jimmy Wales will be discussing the fundamental principles that transformed Wikipedia into a universally trusted source for facts, and will share his clear, actionable rules for building trust in business, leadership and life.

What will Jackson Lamb and his team of Slough House misfits get up to next? Don’t miss Mick Herron as he talks about his latest page-turner, Clown Town, the TV adaptation of Slow Horses and the evolution of the series.

It promises to be a wonderful evening of back-to-back literary conversations – visit our website to book: www.bwf.org.au

05/05/2026

What do you get when you cross a Booker Prize winner, the writer behind Slow Horses, the Wikipedia founder, the current bestselling author in Australia, a thought leader and a fantasy queen? BWF’s biggest ever month of out-of-season events!

The line-up of literary blockbusters kicks off next week with Sarah Wilson (I Eat the Stars) and R.F. Kuang (Katabasis) on Tuesday 12th May, followed by Yann Martel (Life of Pi, Son of Nobody) on the 13th, Lisa Wilkinson (The Titanic Story of Evelyn) on the 14th, then Jimmy Wales (The Seven Rules of Trust) and Mick Herron (Clown Town) on the 19th.

And with Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, what better way to cement your favourite-child status than with tickets to see one of these amazing authors?

Some of these events are close to selling out, so get in quick to grab your tickets: https://bwf.org.au/what's%20on