In a significant development for Australia's literary community, prominent authors are rallying behind an alternative Adelaide Writers' Week event scheduled for February and March 2026. This comes after the official Adelaide Writers' Week was unexpectedly cancelled, leaving a void in the cultural calendar.
Major Literary Figures Confirm Participation
Despite the cancellation of the traditional festival, numerous high-profile writers and thinkers have committed to appearing at alternative literary gatherings throughout the Adelaide region. The lineup includes some of Australia's most respected literary voices alongside international guests.
Confirmed Participants for Alternative Events
Among those scheduled to appear at various alternative literary events during the February-March period are:
- Cheek Media CEO Hannah Ferguson
- Greek economist and author Yanis Varoufakis
- Former Greens leader and environmental activist Bob Brown
- Award-winning Australian author Jennifer Mills
- Former ABC reporter Noah Schulz-Byard
- Ngarrindjeri Kaurna poet Dominic Guerrera
This diverse group represents multiple genres and perspectives, ensuring a rich program of discussions, readings, and literary exchanges.
Randa Abdel-Fattah Receives Invitation
Organizers have extended an invitation to acclaimed author Randa Abdel-Fattah, known for her young adult fiction and political commentary. While her participation hasn't been formally confirmed, her inclusion in early planning discussions indicates the event's commitment to featuring diverse Australian literary voices.
Event Details Emerging
Early details about the alternative literary festival are beginning to surface, though organizers are still finalizing venues and schedules. The events are expected to take place across various locations in Adelaide throughout February and March 2026, creating a distributed festival experience rather than a single centralized event.
The alternative programming appears to be gaining significant momentum, with multiple authors and literary organizations collaborating to ensure Adelaide maintains its position as a premier destination for literary discussion and cultural exchange during what would have been the traditional Writers' Week period.
This grassroots response to the official festival's cancellation demonstrates the resilience of Australia's literary community and their commitment to maintaining important cultural conversations. The alternative events promise to deliver the intellectual stimulation and creative exchange that has made Adelaide Writers' Week a beloved institution for decades.
