Melbourne Writers Festival 2026 Announces 40th Anniversary Program with International Literary Stars

The Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) has revealed its 2026 program, marking its 40th anniversary with over 150 participants appearing across Melbourne in May. The festival, themed 'Visions & Revisions,' will feature headline appearances by former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Booker Prize-winning authors Yann Martel and David Szalay, and bestselling novelist R.F. Kuang. Other notable participants include Susan Choi, Mieko Kawakami, Nikita Gill, and Tony Birch, who will deliver the closing address. The program includes international collaborations, such as a series co-curated with Canadian First Nations writers, and local highlights featuring Australian authors and journalists. Festival Director Veronica Sullivan leads the curation with contributions from First Nations curators.