PRESS RELEASE: Eumundi Writers Festival Returns with Australia’s Biggest Literary Conversations in One of Its Most Intimate Settings
Imagine chatting with your favourite author over coffee, asking questions in a workshop of just a handful of people, or having the conversation continue long after the panel has ended.
That’s the experience awaiting readers at the 2026 Eumundi Writers Festival, where more than 50 authors, publishers, journalists, poets and storytellers will gather from 4–6 September for a weekend built on conversation, creativity and connection.
Unlike larger literary festivals, Eumundi’s boutique format gives audiences rare access to some of Australia’s most celebrated writers through small panel discussions in heritage buildings, intimate workshops, meet-the-author sessions, book signings, Literary Lounge events and informal conversations throughout the weekend.
With more than 94 events including 29 panel sessions and interviews, and 65 events where writers can participate across five boutique venues, the festival offers something increasingly rare—the opportunity to not only hear from extraordinary writers, but to genuinely meet them.
This year’s theme, The Human Condition, brings together an exceptional collection of Australian literary voices whose work explores love, loss, identity, resilience, politics, history, crime, romance, journalism and the universal stories that connect us.
• Laura Jean McKay – Internationally acclaimed author whose award-winning The Animals in That Country established her as one of Australia’s foremost contemporary literary voices.
• Steve MinOn – Author of the debut novel First Name Second Name, shortlisted for the 2026 Miles Franklin Literary Award, marking him as one of Australia’s brightest emerging literary talents.
• Simon Cleary – barrister and author, finalist in the Queensland Literary Awards Work of State Significance Award for 2025 and winner of the People’s Choice Award, Queensland Literary Awards in 2012
• Laura Elvery – Multi-award winning author including winner of the People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award at the 2025 Queensland Literary Awards and winner of the 2021 USQ Steele Rudd Award for a Short Story Collection.
• Kristina Olsson – Acclaimed memoirist and novelist. Her 2013 memoir, Boy, Lost, garnered multiple awards including the Queensland, New South Wales and West Australian Premiers awards for non-fiction and the Kibble Prize.
• Anna Campbell – Internationally bestselling historical romance author of 50 best selling books in 23 languages and five times winner of the Australian Romance Readers’ Favourite Historical Romance of the Year.
• Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex – Beloved by ABC Radio audiences through A Word in Your Ear, presenting his entertaining and thought-provoking session, “The Rise and Rise of Bulls!t.”
The festival also welcomes influential Australian leaders and changemakers. Bob Abbot, the inaugural Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, who won ten consecutive elections during his distinguished career in local government—will reflect on public life and the memoir he has long contemplated writing. Current Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, the first woman elected to lead Sunshine Coast Council, will officially open the festival and introduce several keynote sessions across the weekend. Hon. Dr Kevin Rudd AC, Australia’s 26th Prime Minister, headlines the festival in conversation with The Betoota Advocate editor Clancy Overell.
The program also celebrates Australia’s living history. Author Sarah Cochrane Ridout brings a unique personal perspective as the granddaughter of Kath Cochrane who worked alongside Oodgeroo Noonuccal in the successful campaign for the 1967 Referendum, enriching festival conversations about identity, truth-telling and belonging.
For aspiring writers, the festival offers rare opportunities to learn directly from leading authors and publishing professionals. Small-group workshops cover everything from crime writing, children’s literature and romance to editing, publishing, book design and artificial intelligence, giving participants practical skills and invaluable one-on-one access to industry experts.
Festival Director Dr Suzanne Campin said the Eumundi Writers Festival had built its reputation on creating meaningful connections.
“Stories have the power to bring people together, and that’s exactly what happens at Eumundi. Our audiences don’t simply watch conversations from the back of a theatre—they become part of them. Readers meet writers, aspiring authors learn from publishing professionals, and friendships begin over books. That’s the magic of Eumundi.”
Whether you’re meeting a favourite author, discovering an exciting new literary voice, learning the craft of writing or simply enjoying conversations that challenge and inspire, the 2026 Eumundi Writers Festival promises a literary experience where every story—and every conversation—matters.
The full festival program and ticket information are available now https://eumundiwritersfestival.com.au/program
