Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) has unveiled an exciting new chapter in 2025 with a star-studded program of events from 9-12 October and held for the first time at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
The 2025 program is packed with literary A-listers across more than 100 live events including author talks, conversations, panel discussions and special events. Two hundred artists, half of them from Queensland, form part of the blockbuster line-up of national and international guests.
Australian headline authors include Helen Garner, Trent Dalton, Sally Hepworth, Michael Robotham, Di Morrissey, Anita Heiss and Pub Choir’s Astrid Jorgensen, while international highlights include English historian, broadcaster and author Bettany Hughes, Hollywood insider (and nephew of Joan Didion) Griffin Dunne, Irish economist David McWilliams, romantasy star Callie Hart, American cultural critic Sophie Gilbert, and New York Times bestseller Eric Puchner.
BWF Artistic Director Jackie Ryan said the 2025 program is designed to surprise, delight, and encourage discovery.
“One of the many books we’re featuring at the festival this year is on conspiracies. Perhaps those authors can explain just how ‘Dark BWF’ managed to secure so many brilliant writers, such extraordinary panel combinations, and a certifiably incredible venue in the form of Brisbane Powerhouse,” Ryan said.
“Is it 5G or artistic destiny? Whatever the answer, BWF2025 is shaping up like an unusually healthy candy store—bursting with irresistible artistic treats you won’t want to stop sampling, and all surprisingly good for you. Be an intrepid investigator and indulge widely. The truth about BWF awaits.”
This year BWF is joined by guest curators Sharlene Allsop (Aboriginal First Nations) and Jillian Bowie (Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait Islander).
Hollywood comes to Brisbane with Griffin Dunne and Ione Skye discussing their star-studded upbringings and iconic film roles.
This year BWF celebrates several literary milestones: Charlotte Wood will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her Stella Prize-winning novel The Natural Way of Things, Anne Summers will discuss the legacy of 50 years of Damned Whores and God’s Police, while acclaimed Australian authors Helen Garner, Di Morrissey, Fiona McIntosh and Anita Heiss will all reflect on their incredible careers.
Romantasy fans will delight in meeting best selling American author Callie Hart, plus there’ll be conversations with Australian romantasy writers Stacy McEwan, Jaymin Eve, Sarah A. Parker and Vanessa Len.
The four-day festival also sees the return of the Marion Taylor Address with esteemed English historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes delivering the keynote: ‘Is it all just a little bit of history repeating?’.
Hughes will also take readers on a fabulous sightseeing tour of antiquity as she discusses her book The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Australia’s traditional storytellers share culture and spark connections with panels and conversations featuring First Nations authors including Anita Heiss, Nardi Simpson and Debra Dank.
They’ve got plenty of Queensland favourites, too. Get in quick for locals including Steve Minon, Laura Elvery, Kimberley Allsopp, Melanie Saward, Martine Kropkowski, Cheryl Leavy, Joanna Jenkins, Lauren Ford and Allison Rushby.
With a diverse program of author panels, speeches and performances, BWF has a story for everyone.
For more information on the program and to purchase tickets, visit bwf.org.au
