0898fe24-d59a-469f-9a9c-11b643cf7eb5 Manly Youth Centre (Festival Hub & Main Bookstore) VENUE DETAILS Kangaroo Street, 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.

453b83b4-1939-4c96-9ff5-9494d858e99a Mackellar Girls' High School VENUE DETAILS 11 Campbell Parade, Manly Vale 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.

Join the Manly Writer's Festival as a volunteer and help us bring storytelling, creativity, and community together in Manly, Sydney. Enjoy an unforgettable experience and contribute to a cultural celebration. VOLUNTEER SIGN UP FOR 2027 Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. We really appreciate it. We have reached our volunteer complement for 2026. If you wish to be included for 2027, you are welcome to complete this form. We will be in touch with you towards the end of this year. First name* Last name* Email* Phone* Were you a volunteer with MWF in 2026? Yes No Sign up for news and updates Submit ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gamaraygal and Garigal 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.

ef3ff3a9-611f-416c-9c99-6622d2da4a03 The Manly Club on Gilbert VENUE DETAILS 3 West Promenade, 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.

5cb91a6e-49b3-4737-8159-f4cea1df1dc2 Dave Warner ABOUT < VIEW ALL AUTHORS Dave Warner Dave Warner is an author, musician, and screenwriter. He has written nine novels and six non-fiction books. His first novel, City of Light, won the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award for Fiction, and Before it Breaks (2015) won the Ned Kelly Award for best Australian crime fiction. His novel Clear to the Horizon features the lead characters from both these books. His most recent crime novels are River of Salt and Over My Dead Body. Dave Warner first came to national prominence with his gold album Mugs Game, and his band, Dave Warner’s from the Suburbs. In 2017, he released his tenth album, When. He has been named a Western Australian State Living Treasure and has been inducted into the WAMi Rock’n’Roll of Renown. < 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.

620f4028-9938-4ea8-9a39-c592bfe01c25 Henry G's Wine Parlour VENUE DETAILS 11 The Corso, 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 Lloyd Rees and the City He Taught Us to See BUY TICKETS DATE: Friday 20 March, 2026 TIME: 5.30-6.15pm COST: $25.00 Manly Art Gallery PATHWAY: Country and Who We Are HOST : Candida Baker < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Ross Wilson Lloyd Rees is one of Australia’s most beloved painters, a master of light, water and landscape whose work shaped the way we see our cities. In Lloyd Rees and the Architects, Ross Wilson traces Rees’s life from his early years in Brisbane to his decades teaching at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture, where he influenced generations of architects and creative thinkers. In conversation with Candida Baker, Wilson explores the remarkable relationship between Rees’s art and his students’ buildings, how drawing and observation became a vital tool for architectural imagination, and how Rees’s vision helped shape Sydney — and the idea of Australian place itself. This session is perfect for lovers of cityscapes, creativity and visual storytelling.

3fd0956f-311d-41ff-add5-f9f3d3157506 Jack Beaumont ABOUT < VIEW ALL AUTHORS Jack Beaumont Jack Beaumont is the pseudonym of a former operative of the French foreign secret service, the DGSE. Jack led clandestine and offensive operations in various countries under false identities for seven years. After studying mathematics and physics engineering, Jack started his military career in the French Air Force as a fighter pilot on single seaters, specialising in air-to-air combat. After injuring his back in a flying accident, he was retrained to fly special operations and intelligence missions in various crisis and war zones. Jack was then recruited by ‘The Company’ after he participated in an operation in the Balkans. He was internally selected and trained to be in the field. < 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.

Program Power, Paranoia and Pleasure BUY TICKETS DATE: Saturday 21 March, 2026 TIME: 4.00-4.45pm COST: $25.00 Henry G's PATHWAY: Power, Truth and Accountability HOST : Jack Toohey < VIEW ALL SESSIONS Nick Place What can a dictator’s wine cellar tell us about power, fear and control? In this session, Nick Place explores the hidden cultural history behind Joseph Stalin’s obsession with wine — revealing how luxury, paranoia and politics intertwined at the heart of the Soviet regime. A sharply told historical story that uses food, drink and excess to illuminate the mechanics of authoritarian power.

Explore highlights from past Manly Writer's Festivals. Discover key moments, featured speakers, and memorable events from our previous festivals in Manly, Sydney. PREVIOUS FESTIVALS 2024 14, 15, 16 March 2024 Program 2025 28, 29, 30 March 2025 Program 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.

Find answers to your questions about the Manly Writer's Festival 2025. Get information on tickets, event schedules, venue details, and more. Plan your visit today! OUR FAQ Do I need to buy an entry ticket before the event? There are many moving parts that go into hosting the Manly Writers' Festival that require advance preparation, so purchasing your ticket beforehand helps us optimise the festival experience. You can buy them online until the session is on or purchase a ticket at the festival by heading to the Concierge Desk on Level 1 of the Darley Smith Building. Can I get a refund if I change my mind? Full refunds, less transaction costs charged by the payment provider, will be given until midnight AEDT on 23rd February 2024. After that day, we are unable to provide a refund other than extenuating personal circumstances. If such circumstances arise, you can seek a refund by emailing us at hello@manlywritersfestival.com.au.(mailto:hello@manlywritersfestival.com.au) If, for any reason, we cancel a session you will receive a refund in full. Is there an opportunity to ask questions of speakers? Yes. Questions are encouraged, and we believe it is an important feature of a writers' festival. Is there a dress code? Be comfortable. What is included in the price? For general sessions, it includes admission to the session. For special events, inclusions are detailed as part of the information about the special event. Where is the festival being held? The main venue for the Schools Program and the adult program is the Darley Smith Building, St Matthew’s Church, corner of Darley Road and The Corso, Manly. Other venues we’re using include: • Hotel Steyne, Manly • Manly Pacific MGallery Hotel, Manly • Manly Spirits Distillery, Brookvale • For detailed information and maps, check out our page on Venues.(https://www.manlywritersfestival.com.au/venues) Are there author signing? Yes, there will be author signings after each session within Gleebooks which is located in the Ebbs Room off the ground floor courtyard. Books that are featured at the festival (and more) will be available for purchase. Where can I get coffee? Coffee is, of course, synonymous with books and reading! So we have an onsite Book Beans Cafe that is open from approximately 9am-4pm on Friday and Saturday, serving coffee, tea, and fresh juices. There are also many cafes, delis, pubs, and restaurants in the local area. What is your covid safe plan? We comply with the Covid Safe guidelines in place for events of this kind as required by the New South Wales Government. These are available on the NSW Health website. What is the Manly Writer's Festival? The Manly Writer's Festival is an annual event celebrating storytelling, creativity, and community based in and around Manly, Sydney. It features author panels, workshops, and various community events. How can I become a sponsor or partner of the festival? We offer various sponsorship and partnership opportunities. Please contact us at hello@manlywritersfestival.org.au for more information on how you can support the festival. When and where is the 2025 Manly Writer's Festival taking place? The 2025 Manly Writer's Festival will be held in and around Manly on 28, 29, 30 March. Check the PROGRAM link for details of the program, as well as individual sessions. Are there volunteer opportunities available? Yes, we welcome volunteers to help us bring the festival to life. You can apply to volunteer through our website and enjoy an unforgettable experience while contributing to a cultural celebration. How can I purchase tickets for the Manly Writer's Festival? Tickets for the Manly Writer's Festival can be purchased through the TICKETS links on this website, or directly via Humanitix (search for 2025 Manly Writers' Festival). FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 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.

< Back So, You Want to be a Writer? Practical sessions and workshops for aspiring and emerging writers, focused on craft, process, publishing and the realities of turning writing into a finished work. Sessions in this Pathway Ask Us Anything: From Manuscript to Bookstore—What Really Gets You Published Ben Aitchison, John Coomer, Jeanne Ryckmans View Session Workshop: Edit Like an Expert Zena Shapter View Session Workshop: From Page to Stage: Writing for the Theatre Kathleen Walker View Session Workshop: Building a Professional Name. Reputation and Resilience at Work Tony Frost View Session Workshop: Beyond the Postcard: Writing Place with Authority Helen Hayes View Session Previous Next