Brisbane Writers Festival 2024

Brisbane Writers Festival returns in 2024 with a page-turning program of over 150 live events, from author talks and panel discussions to special events and workshops, from May 30 to June 2, 2024.

More than 60 Brisbane authors will feature alongside a star-studded line-up of national and international guests, with most events held in the Festival hub at the State Library of Queensland in the South Bank Cultural Precinct.

Australian headline authors include Melissa Lucashenko, Julia Baird, Kate Ceberano, Chris Hammer, and Trent Dalton, while international guests include Booker Prize-shortlisted author Paul Murray, bestselling crime writer Michael Connelly, fantasy legend Naomi Novik, English novelist and screenwriter Louise Doughty, and superstar fantasy author Samantha Shannon.

This year BWF will also be joined by guest curators Melanie Saward (Aboriginal First Nations) and Lenora Thaker (Torres Strait Islander First Nations), as well as the authors of Sing Lit Station, bringing the most dynamic voices in contemporary Singaporean letters.

Michael Connelly makes his BWF debut to discuss his latest release, Resurrection Walk, and the exploits of his two most enduring characters, Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller. He also lends insight to the International Crime panel alongside crime fiction luminaries Louise Doughty and Dann McDorman, plus a panel with local stars Bryan Brown and Dinuka McKenzie.

Australia’s traditional storytellers share culture and spark connections with panels and conversations featuring First Nations authors including Daniel Browning, Jackie Huggins, Melissa Lucashenko and Anita Heiss.

Podcast and art history sensation Katy Hessel talks about the overlooked women in art history with VAULT Editor Alison Kubler, and joins a panel on feminist progress with Suzie Miller, Amy Remeikis and Balli Kaur Jaswa. Naomi Novik makes her first appearance in over 10 years as she discusses her latest work, the Scholomance trilogy: a magical school story resplendent with monsters and myth.

Other international authors include brilliantly contrarian novelist and screenwriter Lexi Freiman on The Book of Ayn, crime writer Jake Adelstein on The Last Yakuza, and current Women’s Prize longlister Sarah Ogilvie on The Dictionary People.

There are plenty of Queensland favourites, too. Get in quick for locals including Trent Dalton, William McInnes, Anna McGahan, Samuel Wagan-Watson, Matthew Condon, Hedley Thomas, Laura Jean McKay, Simon Cleary and Clare Christian.

Politics and power are considered in sessions such as Rogue Corporations and Political Prisoners, Pardon My Speech and Democratic Fragility.

Bri Lee, Madeleine Gray, Amy Lovat and Siang Lu will dissect modern life, while historical fiction writers Heather Morris, Mirandi Riwoe, Melissa Ashley and Christine Wells will take audiences to bygone eras.

Love music or fashion? Don't miss illustrator extraordinaire Megan Hess, and musical legends Kate Ceberano, Ed Le Brocq and Stuart Coupe.

For students from Prep to Year 12,  BWF’s Word Play program returns from May 30-31, as well as Love YA on Saturday, June 1.

The four-day festival also sees the return of the Marion Taylor Opening Night Gala at the Queensland Art Gallery’s Water Mall on May 10, with bestselling English author Louise Doughty delivering the keynote.

The 2024 BWF program promises something for everyone, spanning every genre. Whether you're into culture, science, sport, literature, politics, espionage, music, health, comedy, romance, performance, crime, history, poetry or a combination of the above, Brisbane Writers Festival has got a story for you!

Tickets are now on sale!

Brisbane Writers Festival is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com