Local Word Writers Festival offers workshops led by authors, publishers and industry experts.

Held at libraries across the region, workshops are suitable for a range of experience levels, from those just starting out to writers who have already published.

If you are a local author who would like to host one of our workshops, please sign up to receive notification of our Expression of Interest period under Join Our Mailing List below.

The annual Local Authors Fair showcases local authors and their stories from across our region in a supportive and fun atmosphere.

This event is designed for writers and readers alike - readers can find their new favourite authors – and authors can find new fans!

Everyone is invited to come along, browse the tables, meet some of our local emerging authors and hear about their latest books. Entry is free and there are plenty of books for sale, but no obligation to buy!

Saturday 28 August, 2027 from 12.00noon to 3.00pm at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.

If you are a local author who would like to exhibit at our Local Authors Fair, please sign up to receive notification of our Expression of Interest period under Join Our Mailing List below.

Held throughout the year, our Local Word Pop-Up Author Talks showcase some of this region's most popular writers:

• Jo Langdon - Delivery on Tuesday 8th September at Belmont Library
• Nina Kenwood - People Skills on Wednesday 18th November at Boronggook Drysdale Library

Accessibility

Geelong Regional Libraries offers fully inclusive and accessible venues. 
If you require any assistance to access the program or attend the events, please email events@grlc.vic.gov.au or call (03) 4201 0600.

Program Changes and Refunds

• Please be aware that the program may be subject to change without notice, and in all cases we will do our best to notify attendees in advance.
• Refunds will be issued on request if submitted more than 48 hours prior to the event. Please email your request to events@grlc.vic.gov.au.

Photography and Session Recordings

• We will ask our staff to take photos at our events so we can capture the creativity in process! Images and/or video may be used by Geelong Regional Libraries or by media or other participating organisations for marketing, social media, or publication.
• Please notify a staff member or the photographer if you do not wish to appear in photographs or videos.
• You are welcome to take your own photos (and tag us on socials) but please be aware of other people in your photos, and seek permission if you do take photos of others.

Question not answered here?

Visit our FAQ's page for more information, or email us at events@grlc.vic.gov.au
 

The annual Local Word Writers Festival brings our diverse local writing communities together through writers workshops and our local authors fair.

It's a hyper-local festival, designed to celebrate and showcase the creative and literary talent of Victoria’s south-west region – from Geelong, the Bellarine, Colac and the Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Cape Otway.

For established and emerging writers, and appealing to readers and book lovers generally, the festival includes topics and books from fiction and non-fiction genres and includes storytellers of all kinds.

Previous festivals:

2026 - Workshops held 1-23 August, Local Authors Fair on Saturday 29 August 2026

2025 - Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August 2025

2024 - Friday 23 to Sunday 25 August 2024

2023 - Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August 2023

2022 - Friday 18 and Saturday 19 November 2022

Watch Local Word online:

You can view recorded sessions from Local Word 2025 on our YouTube Channel. Re-live the discussions, or share them with your family and friends.