Headland Writers Festival

18/06/2026

Join acclaimed authors Inga Simpson and Kate Liston-Mills for a wild and roaming conversation about the surprising strength of the short story and the transformative power of nature.

We're also thrilled to have author Gabbie Stroud on board as our host, bringing her trademark warmth, wit and charisma to the conversation.

This special event is part of our 2026 program launch for this years festival on Saturday 27 June at the new Headland Theatre in Tathra.

Grab your tickets now! Head to: https://tickets.headlandfestival.com.au/Events/Headland-Writers-Festival-2026-Program-Launch

17/06/2026

Were you hooked on the Erin Patterson mushroom trial?

Join Duncan McNab, author of Recipe for Murder, for a fascinating conversation this Saturday at the Headland Theatre.

With two sessions to choose from, this is set to be a juicy one.

Tickets here: www.headlandtheatre.com.au

16/06/2026

Secured your tickets to this year's program launch yet?!

Hop to it- it's going to be a wonderful night of stories, ideas and lively conversation with some of our best local authors.

Get your tickets here: https://tickets.headlandfestival.com.au/Events/Headland-Writers-Festival-2026-Program-Launch

14/06/2026

AUTHOR ANNOUNCEMENT || Inessa Jackson

Award-winning debut author Inessa Jackson will be joining us at this year's Headland Writers Festival.

Her crime thriller 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 was published in May of this year, and won the Affirm Press/Varuna Mentorship Award. She has also been shortlisted for both the HarperCollins Banjo Prize and the ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Award.

We're delighted to welcome Inessa to the Sapphire Coast!

11/06/2026

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT || Steve Toltz

We're delighted to welcome Australian novelist and screenwriter Steve Toltz to this year's Headland Writers Festival.

Steve's debut novel, A Fraction of the Whole, earned widespread acclaim, winning the New South Wales Premier's People's Choice Award and earning him a place among the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Australian Novelists.

His latest novel, 𝘼 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨, was published in April this year and is available now at Candelo Books.

10/06/2026

PROGRAM LAUNCH EVENT || Tickets on sale now!

Let The Headland Writers Festival begin! We're kicking off the 2026 program with a bang.

Join acclaimed authors Inga Simpson and Kate Liston-Mills for a roaming conversation about the surprising strength of the short story and the transformative power of nature, hosted by Gabbie Stroud.

The evening will also feature the launch of the renowned Olga Masters Short Story Competition.

It's going to be a fabulous night!

Get your tickets here:

Join us for the official launch of the 2026 Headland Writers Festival. Be among the first to discover the full festival program and hear from acclaimed authors Inga Simpson and Kate Liston-Mills in...

08/06/2026

MEET THE TEAM ||
It takes a village to bring a writers festival to life, and we're lucky to have a passionate team working behind the scenes to make this year's Headland Writers Festival happen.

Say hello to ...

📚 Myoung Jae Yi - Creative Director and owner of Candelo Books
📚 Kate Bradbury - Co-Director and Exec Director of South East Arts
📚 Cliff Wallis and Sayaka Mihara - owners of the Tathra Hotel, a valued partner and our key festival venue.

From shaping the creative vision and curating the program to creating memorable experiences for audiences and authors alike, there's a lot happening long before the first session begins.

Thankfully, we love what we do and can't wait to bring you another incredible weekend of stories, ideas, conversations and connection.

06/06/2026

Still smiling after such a delightful afternoon at Dulcie's Cottage last weekend for the launch of Jodie Stewart's new book, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖

Part book launch, part celebration, and entirely charming, there were feline-inspired cocktails, plenty of laughs, fascinating stories, and a room full of people who clearly appreciate a good cat tale.

A huge congratulations to Jodie on the launch of this wonderful book. We're thrilled she'll be joining us at this year's festival.

If you're a cat lover, history buff, or simply enjoy a great read, be sure to check out A cultural history of cats , and you can pick up a copy locally at Candelo Books.

05/06/2026

AUTHOR ANNOUNCEMENT || Rachel Ang

Artist and writer Rachel Ang will be joining the Headland Writers Festival line-up this year. Their work has appeared in publications including The New Yorker, Overland and Meanjin.

Their latest book, a collection of short stories in comics form, I Ate The Whole World to Find You, was shortlisted for an Ignatz Award.

We can’t wait to hear from Rachel, and learn more about her distinctive storytelling on the Headland stage.

02/06/2026

AUTHOR ANNOUNCEMENT || Johanna Bell

Hobart-based fiction, poetry and children’s author Johanna Bell will be joining the festival line-up this year. Bell has received a string of awards, including a Tasmanian Literary Award for her recent novel, 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙑𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, available locally via Candelo Books.

We look forward to welcoming her to the Headland stage.