The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival will return for its 18th year from May 15–17, promising a weekend of bold conversations, big ideas and brilliant storytelling at Nala Bardip Mia – Margaret River HEART.
This year’s program brings together an exceptional line-up of celebrated Australian and international authors, journalists, cultural icons and fearless thinkers.
Among the headline guests are 2025 Booker Prize winner David Szalay, New York Times bestselling author and social philosopher Sarah Wilson, comedian and screen icon Shaun Micallef, Japanese cultural historian Hiroko Yoda, and Booker Prize-shortlisted author Susan Choi.
They’ll be joined by environmentalist Bob Brown, philosopher Professor A.C. Grayling, actor and storyteller Bryan Brown, award-winning novelists Sofie Laguna and Heather Rose, and journalist and human rights advocate Antoinette Lattouf.
Hosting the main stage sessions will be Claire Nichols from ABC Radio National’s The Book Show, writer Gillian O’Shaughnessy, journalist Sarah McNeill, and ABC Radio Perth presenter Jo Trilling.
The festival opens on Friday, May 15, with a series of writers’ workshops led by Heather Rose, Kate Mildenhall, and Kathryn Heyman.
The free mainstage program begins with the launch of Salt City Runaway, a new collection of flash fiction by WA writer Gillian O’Shaughnessy, followed by a youth-focused discussion featuring Professor A.C. Grayling, Sarah Wilson, and Brigid Delaney on the state of the world and how young people can shape the future. The day concludes with Donna Mazza in conversation with Bernice Barry, exploring history, myth and the enduring power of storytelling.
Saturday’s program continues with a full day of workshops and thought-provoking sessions.
Sofie Laguna will explore the art of creating compelling characters, while Professor A.C. Grayling leads an immersive seminar on democracy and freedom. Psychotherapist Andrew Sloan delves into modern cultural chaos in a session inspired by his new book Why Things Feel Fcked*.
Later, festival-goers can enjoy Table for Two at Café Les Deux Magots, a lively Parisian-style conversation between Grayling and Wilson on philosophy, relationships and saving the planet.
The festival wraps up on Sunday with workshops from Susan Choi on plotting conflict, Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt on expanding creative practice, and David Whish-Wilson on character development.
With its mix of literary excellence, cultural insight and community spirit, the 2026 Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival is set to be one of the most dynamic and inspiring events on the Australian arts calendar.
For program details and tickets, visit mrrwfestival.com.
