Our program of writers workshops continues to be the most popular offering on our Local Word Writers Festival program.

This year, instead of offering workshops over two days, we're offering them over the whole month of August, and budding, aspiring or established writers will have a wide variety of workshops to choose from.

Writers Workshops will be held throughout August, at library locations throughout the region. Workshops will be priced at$40 or $20 for concession, and bookings are required. 
Bookings will be open soon via this page.

First introduced at last year's festival, the Local Authors Fair showcases local independent 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 will be plenty of books for sale, but no obligation to buy!

Saturday 29 August, 2026 from 12.00noon to 3.00pm at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Free entry but registration preferred as tea/coffee and pastries will be supplied. Bookings will open soon via this page.

Showcase Your Story at the Local Author Fair

Are you a writer in the Geelong region with a book to share? Whether it’s your debut novel, a memoir, or a collection of poems, the Local Author Fair is your chance to connect with readers, network with fellow authors, and celebrate local storytelling.

Expressions of Interest are now open for authors to take part in this year’s Fair.

Applications* close at 5.00pm AEST on Sunday 31 May, 2026
Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/WMkEqR1BVj

Know an author who should be there? Please email them this link

* For the Local Author Fair, each author will be provided with a chair and a table to display signage and their books/work. Visitors will come and go throughout the afternoon with opportunities for book sales throughout the event. All set up and pack down must be carried out by the author (trolleys are available). Please note, participating authors must provide their own book stock, and eftpos and/or cash sales facilities. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. A registration fee of $20 per author applies - this will be payable at a later date to confirm your place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 24 hours prior to the event. Please email your request to events@grlc.vic.gov.au.

Photography and Session Recordings

• We have photographers coming to most sessions for a short visit 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.

Featuring workshops at Libraries across the region and a full day author fair at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, supported by book sales and signings.

Dates of previous festivals:

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