First Guest Writers Announces for 2026 Festival
- intouch Magazine
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
International best-selling writer and Reese Witherspoon’s November Book Club pick Charlotte McConaghy, much-loved cook and Australian treasure Stephanie Alexander, and British philosopher A. C. Grayling are among 150 writers participating in the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival from March 27 to 29.
Other guest writers include former NSW premier Bob Carr, who will be returning to the festival to speak about his upcoming memoir Bring Back Yesterday, a deeply moving account of the grief he experienced after the sudden death of his beloved wife Helena.
Also returning to the festival is award-winning poet Evelyn Araluen whose searing new collection The Rot confronts colonial decay, ecological grief, and cultural survival with unflinching clarity.
Author, visual artist, and hip-hop performer Omar Musa will be in Newcastle on the back of Fierceland, his genre-bending,
globe-spanning novel about power and family secrets.
The festival will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Stephanie Alexander’s much-loved book, The Cook’s Companion, with the cook and food writer who is making her festival debut at 85.
A. C. Grayling had such a great time speaking at a special festival event in May, he is returning to present a lecture centred on his new book For the People: Fighting Authoritarianism, Saving Democracy and to participate in ‘Philosopher’s Café’ with Hunter region philosopher Russell Blackford. This unique event encourages the audience to contribute to the discussion about timely issues and was a huge success when it debuted at this year’s festival.
Festival director Rosemarie Milsom described the 2026 program as “eclectic and dynamic”. “We have three international guests and writers from across Australia visiting Newcastle in March for an exciting weekend of discussion, performance, and special community events such as an inner-city history walk and an outdoor reading party. This is just a taste of what’s to come.”
There will be 100 events in the 2026 program, which will be presented in venues within the Civic precinct including the University of Newcastle’s Nuspace building, Conservatorium of Music, Watt Space Gallery, and City Hall, as well as satellite venues in Cessnock and Port Stephens. Peter FitzSimons will speak in Newcastle and Cessnock.
The festival has moved from the first weekend in April because Easter is early in 2026.
The full program will be available from February 6 and tickets go on sale on February 9.
The festival is proudly supported by Create NSW, University of Newcastle and City of
Newcastle.
For more information about the writers mentioned visit www.newcastle.writersfestival.org.au or contact Rosemarie Milsom rmilsom@newcastlewriterfestival.org.au (0403 041 588)
