2023 program submissions now open

We are welcoming submissions from published writers at all stages of their career to participate in the 2023 festival, which will be held from March 31 to April 2.

Ideally, you have had new work published in the past six months or expect to have new work published by the end of March, 2023.

Please consider how you would like to participate and seek approval from others before proposing a panel or joint event.

The closing date for submissions is 12am July 10, 2022.

Successful applicants will be notified by the end of September/early October and the festival will cover your travel and accommodation costs – if required – as well as paying you for your participation.

We are a small team and unable to provide feedback on your submission. Festival programs are multifaceted, and the director will home in on certain themes or synchronicities among writers. You may not be included in 2023 and this is not a reflection of the quality of your work. Next year marks the festival’s 10th anniversary and this will also shape the program.

Newcastle Writers Festival is committed to diversity and inclusion. If you wish to be considered for the festival and there are barriers to your participation, please let us know how we can assist you. There is space for this on the registration form.

Things to consider before applying

• Review the form and prepare your information in a Word doc or similar so you have a copy in case something goes wrong.
• Have a look at previous programs on the website so you can get a sense of the kind of events that feature.
• We require festival participants to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved COVID-19 vaccine or the presentation of a medical exemption.
• Once you submit your form, you should receive confirmation via email. If you don’t, please email admin@newcastlewritersfestival.org.au

Complete your submission HERE