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Join the Manly Writer's Festival as a sponsor or partner. Support an event that celebrates storytelling and community in Manly, Sydney, and gain exposure for your brand. PARTNERS & SPONSORS The Manly Writers' Festival is possible only because of a visionary, diverse group of partners and friends. We’re here thanks to them. Let us introduce you to our partners for 2027. NORTHERN BEACHES COUNCIL Stretching from Palm Beach to Manly, the Northern Beaches boasts more than half of all the beaches in Sydney and a population of more than 266,000. Button FAIR PLAY PUBLISHING An independent publisher based in the Northern Beaches with three imprints specialising in non-fiction sport (Fair Play), fiction (Popcorn Press), and life (Pepper Press). TAG FAMILY FOUNDATION The TAG Family Foundation supports projects that help young people through education and sport, especially focusing on young people with autism. Button GLEEBOOKS Gleebooks is Sydney’s leading independent bookseller, in business for over 40 years, and online since 1996. Button MANLY OBSERVER Manly Observer is an independent, hyperlocal news service covering the Northern Beaches in Sydney with a hyperfocus from Manly to Dee Why. Button ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

Home page of the annual Manly Writers' Festival. The next festival will be held from 18-21 March, 2027. Thank you for being part of the Manly Writers' Festival in 2026 Manly Writers' Festival returns 18-21 March 2027 Sign up for early access to tickets and announcements Join our mailing list What just happened? Highlights 40+ sessions across Manly 90+ writers and thinkers Conversations on power, truth, identity and creativity Thousands of attendees across four days. Thomas Keneally Oration - A powerful opening on writing, history and civic responsibility. The Night Shift - An ambitious late-night exploration of creativity, AI and the human voice. The World on Edge - A packed room for a sharp, urgent conversation on Australia and global instability. Frontlines - First-hand accounts of conflict, risk and the human cost of state power. Our Partners

VIEW OUR VENUES VENUES MAP PDF Festival Cafe: Belgrave Cartel 6 Belgrave Street, Manly Street level access Henry G's Wine Parlour 11 The Corso, Manly Street level access Hotel Steyne 75 The Corso, Manly Street level access, Lift Manly Art Gallery West Esplanade, Manly Street level access Manly Surf Life Saving Club South Steyne, Manly Stairs, no lift Manly Wharf Events L1, Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly Stairs, Lift Manly Youth Centre (Festival Hub & Main Bookstore) Kangaroo Street, Manly Street level access, Lift Sky Theatre 54 Raglan Street, Manly (St Andrew's Church Hall) Street-level access via Augusta Lane The Manly Club on Gilbert 3 West Promenade, Manly Street level access Mackellar Girls' High School 11 Campbell Parade, Manly Vale School students only ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

MEET OUR HOSTS Alice Fraser VIEW PROFILE Amy Hutton VIEW PROFILE Angela Priestley VIEW PROFILE Candida Baker VIEW PROFILE Caroline Baum VIEW PROFILE Con Campbell VIEW PROFILE Geraldine Doogue VIEW PROFILE Helen Vatsikopoulos VIEW PROFILE Ian Cockerill VIEW PROFILE Jack Toohey VIEW PROFILE Jill Valentine VIEW PROFILE Lee Kofman VIEW PROFILE Liz Deep-Jones VIEW PROFILE Mark Corcoran VIEW PROFILE Martin Thomas VIEW PROFILE Michael Brissenden VIEW PROFILE Michele Seminara VIEW PROFILE Nick Bogiatzis VIEW PROFILE Nick Place VIEW PROFILE Sarah Dingle VIEW PROFILE Savva Savas VIEW PROFILE Suellen Dainty VIEW PROFILE Summer Land VIEW PROFILE Tim Ayliffe VIEW PROFILE Vasiliki Nihas OAM VIEW PROFILE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

MEET OUR AUTHORS Ainslie Harvey VIEW PROFILE Alexandra Smith VIEW PROFILE Ali Lowe VIEW PROFILE Amy Coomer VIEW PROFILE Amy Hutton VIEW PROFILE Amy Remeikis VIEW PROFILE Anna Dombkins VIEW PROFILE Anne Buist AO VIEW PROFILE Anthony Segaert VIEW PROFILE Antoun Issa VIEW PROFILE Ashley Kalagian Blunt VIEW PROFILE Ben Aitchison VIEW PROFILE Bob Bowker VIEW PROFILE Bob Carr VIEW PROFILE Bonita Mersiades VIEW PROFILE Candida Baker VIEW PROFILE Cocoa the Conscious VIEW PROFILE Con Campbell VIEW PROFILE Cory Alpert VIEW PROFILE Courtney Peppernell VIEW PROFILE Daniel Nour VIEW PROFILE Dave Warner VIEW PROFILE Deborah Conway AM VIEW PROFILE Debra Adelaide VIEW PROFILE Diana Thorp VIEW PROFILE Ee Ling Quah VIEW PROFILE Elana Benjamin VIEW PROFILE Eleanor Kirk VIEW PROFILE Graeme Simsion VIEW PROFILE Heather Morris VIEW PROFILE Helen Hayes VIEW PROFILE Holly Cardamone VIEW PROFILE Hugh Mackay AO VIEW PROFILE Ian Kemish AM VIEW PROFILE Jack Beaumont VIEW PROFILE Jack Heath VIEW PROFILE Jack Toohey VIEW PROFILE James Dunbar VIEW PROFILE Joanna Nell VIEW PROFILE Joanne Fedler VIEW PROFILE John Ayliffe VIEW PROFILE John Coomer VIEW PROFILE John Morrissey VIEW PROFILE Joshua Gilbert VIEW PROFILE Karen Farrell VIEW PROFILE Kate Horan VIEW PROFILE Kathleen Walker VIEW PROFILE Kumi Taguchi VIEW PROFILE Kylie Moore-Gilbert VIEW PROFILE Lachlan Strahan VIEW PROFILE LOAD MORE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

57c6e26f-1f45-475a-8b4c-735de6443bae Susan Francis ABOUT < VIEW ALL AUTHORS Susan Francis Susan Francis is an award-winning Australian writer living in Newcastle on Awabakal land. Her much-loved memoir, The Love that Remains, was a finalist in Varuna’s Publisher Introduction Program, and her short stories have appeared in such places as Island Magazine, The Saturday Paper and The Newcastle Short Story Competition Anthology. Revelation Beach is her second book for which she received a Varuna residency, a Neilma Sidney Travel scholarship, and in 2024, an Australian Society of Author’s mentorship. Susan has a graduate degree in Australian Literature and is currently studying for a Master’s in Creative Writing. She has worked in education and the media and has appeared on SBS Insight and ABC Conversations. < PREVIOUS AUTHOR NEXT AUTHOR > ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

8a321e96-8306-47f3-9826-94f3df9df895 Manly Wharf Events VENUE DETAILS L1, Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly Rooms Used: xxx < VIEW ALL VENUES NEXT VENUE > ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

Program Workshop: Beyond the Postcard: Writing Place with Authority BUY TICKETS DATE: Friday 20 March, 2026 TIME: 2.30-3.30pm COST: $30.00 Manly Youth Centre (The Writers' Room) PATHWAY: So, You Want to be a Writer? HOST : - < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Helen Hayes Travel writing is about far more than describing where you’ve been. In this workshop, Helen Hayes explores how writers can capture a sense of place with depth, accuracy and ethical awareness. Participants will consider how to move beyond surface description to write about places that feel lived-in and credible.

Help support the Manly Writer's Festival by donating today. Your contribution helps us continue to celebrate storytelling, creativity, and community in Manly, Sydney. DONATIONS Join our Donors Circle How and why your support can help We value your support to secure the future of the Manly Writers' Festival and to help prioritise literacy and creativity for the next generation. Your donation can help us keep ticket prices low, bring a regional Australian or international artist to the Festival, and much more, including keeping the Manly Writers' Festival alive. All donations of $2 and above are tax-deductible. Join our Donors Circle with one of the following tiers, or choose your own amount. Book Lovers ($50+) — Name listed in the program Festival Friends ($200+) — As above, plus a surprise book from our collection to say thank you Story Champions ($500+) — All the above, plus an invitation to a special thank-you gathering Literary Ambassadors ($1,000+) — Become one of our ambassadors and, in addition to the above, your generosity will receive year-round recognition, including when you join us at special events and selected sessions. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

2004418d-65c6-421c-82c2-658c71e0ecf8 Geraldine Doogue ABOUT < VIEW ALL HOSTS Geraldine Doogue Geraldine Doogue AO is one of Australia’s best known, most accomplished and versatile journalists, excelling in print, radio and television. At the ABC and Channel Ten, she presented and reported for national news and current affairs television programs. On ABC radio, as host of Life Matters and then Compass for 30 years, her soothing voice and sharp mind brought relevance and meaning to the challenging subjects of faith, spirituality, religion and ethics while never adopting a preaching approach. She is now the co-host of Global Roaming on ABC Radio National with Hamish Macdonald. < PREVIOUS HOST NEXT HOST > ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.

fb28dbb1-e597-4474-aaba-05dd023a1c30 Tyree Barnette ABOUT < VIEW ALL AUTHORS Tyree Barnette Tyree Barnette is a transplant to Sydney, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. His debut novel, Stolen Man on Stolen Land: Being African American in Australia, is now available. Other published work includes contributions to Sweatshop anthologies such as Love, This Little Red Thing and Racism: Stories on Fear, Hate and Bigotry and the first New Voices in Food Anthology. When he’s not writing, Tyree enjoys staying active, spending time with his partner and their two amazing boys. < PREVIOUS AUTHOR NEXT AUTHOR > ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.