You can buy tickets online or in-person. All online tickets sales are made via TryBooking and you can use a credit card, PayPal, or Google Pay.
You can find booking links to each session on the Local Word Writers Festival home page or you can buy tickets in-person at any of our libraries.
Yes! If you would like to pay with cash, please visit one of our libraries and our team will be able to assist you.
Yes! We have two free events:
1. Rare Australian Fairytale Showcase (Pop Up Exhibition) - on Friday 23 August, 10am-4pm at Deakin University Library, Waterfront Campus - bookings are not required but more information here.
2. Decoding the Publishing Industry - Q & A Session (Panel Discussion) – with Jen Kloester (Chair), Liz Monument, Sarah Walkerden, Abbey Lay and Alex Creece - on Sunday 25 August, 4.30-5.30pm at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre - book here
Discounted tickets are also available to Geelong Regional Libraries Members for all paid sessions. Becoming a Member is free and can be done on our website.
Ticket prices for the Local Word Writers Festival are as follows:
WORKSHOPS: $30 or $20 for Geelong Regional Libraries Members* or $10 Concession
PANEL DISCUSSIONS & PRESENTATIONS: $20 or $10 for Geelong Regional Libraries Members*
EVENING EVENT (Into Your Arms - Celebrating the Words and Music of Nick Cave – with Vin Maskell the Stereo Stories Band, Mark Smith, Rhett Davis and Toni Jordan): $65 per person, or $55 per person for Geelong Regional Libraries Members*, including canapés & drinks during interval.
EARLY BIRD FESTIVAL PASS: For the first time this year we’re offering a discounted Early Bird Festival Pass. The Early Bird Festival Pass is $70 and includes tickets for two writers workshops of your choice, plus entry to all five panel discussions on Sunday 25 August. Please note, it does not include entry to our Evening Event, Into Your Arms.
* Becoming a Member is free and can be done on our website.
You can buy tickets online or in-person. All online tickets sales are made via TryBooking and you can use a credit card, PayPal, or Google Pay. You can find links to each session on the Local Word Writers Festival home page or you can buy tickets in-person at any of our libraries.
Please check your junk and spam folders. If you still can’t see a confirmation email, please contact us at events@grlc.vic.gov.au
Yes, we are happy to provide refunds where required when requested before the event – no questions asked.
Please email events@grlc.vic.gov.au to make your request. Once a refund has been processed, please allow a few business days for the funds to be returned into your bank account.
No. Seating is unallocated and available on a first-in, best-seated arrangement. Doors will open about 15 minutes before each event.
If you have specific accessibility needs, please email events@grlc.vic.gov.au and we will accommodate you accordingly.
Workshop participants will be contacted by email if they need to bring anything specific to their workshop. The presenters will include time for the group to have a comfort break. Please bring your own snacks and water.
For a summary of all of this year's Local Word Festival events, visit this page. We have created a digital program that you can access from your phone or device.
However, if you would like a printed program just ask a staff member at any of our libraries.
You can also use an accessible Word document version if you use text-to-voice software.
Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
Public Transport The Geelong Library & Heritage Centre is just a 500 metre stroll from the Geelong Railway Station (V-Line and public bus station) and 5-minutes from the Moorabool Street bus stop, so consider leaving your car at a railway station or a bus stop closer to home.
Driving Geelong Library & Heritage Centre: Get directions
Visit Parking around Geelong for the best parking options.
Directions to other libraries:
Bannockburn Library: Get directions
Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library: Get directions
Colac Library: Get directions
Corio Library: Get directions
Ocean Grove Library: Get directions
Queenscliff Library: Get directions
Torquay Library: Get Directions
Waurn Ponds Library: Get directions
Yes! Our Festival bookshop partners, The Bookshop at Queenscliff will operate a pop-up shop on the ground floor of the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, stocking all the books featured at the festival (as well as some backlist titles) on Sunday 25 August from 10.00am to 6.00pm. You can also visit them at:
The Bookshop at Queenscliff 84 Hesse Street, Queenscliff 3225 Ph: 03 5258 4496
Email: info@thebookshopatqueenscliff.com Website: www.thebookshopatqueenscliff.com Follow us: Facebook and Instagram
Yes! Authors appearing at events at the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre will be signing their books on the Ground Floor (beside the Pop-Up bookstore), immediately after their event.
If you bring a book to a Friday or Saturday workshop or presentation, the author will be happy to sign it for you after the event. If you are attending a workshop at a community library, you won't be able to purchase a book there, but if you buy one ahead of time the authors can sign it for you. See our Book Sales FAQ above for more information about where to buy your books.
The Local Word Writers Festival is mostly aimed at an adult audience, however we do have one event that is suitable for young people aged 13+ - Word Play for All Ages - Using Play to get Writing (Writers Workshop) with Suze Male on Saturday 24 August, 3pm-4pm Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library.
Find details of our regular children's events on our What's On page.
For any lost property, please phone (03) 4201 0600 or email us at events@grlc.vic.gov.au and our friendly team will do their best to get it back to you.
Yes, some will be. For privacy reasons we don't record workshops, however the panel discussions at the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre on Sunday 25 August will be recorded and available to view on our YouTube channel post event. They will be available indefinitely and you do not need to be a member or a ticket holder in order to watch these events.
