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Sorrento Writers Festival

April 25 - 28, 2024​
Three Sessions You’ll Love...
The End
Sorrento Writers Festival 2024 concludes in a fever of ideas, provocations, contemplation and joy.
 
From the first session on Anzac Eve when we kicked off with a discussion about Gallipoli and its place in our nation’s history, to our final discussions on Sunday afternoon (from the future of democracy to the healing power of writing – it was a big day), our 2024 Festival fulfilled its mission – to bring writers and readers together and to create meaningful and mutually-respectful conversations. 
 
We thank our 190 speakers. Without their presence, and without the contribution of their ideas, journalism and books, Australia would be a lesser place. They came to our beautiful coastal town ready to talk – and talk they did. And meet their readers, and sign books, and join in discussions. We are blessed to have you as our national literary heroes. 
 
We thank our audiences. You purchased more than 15,743 tickets to support our four-day event. You told your friends to come, you subscribed to our newsletter, you donated money, you bought books, you kicked along our local economy by staying, eating, buying coffees, shopping – and you supported our writers with your grace and respect and goodwill. 
 
We thank our volunteers – more than 160 (mostly local) people whose ages ranged from early 20s to 70s. Our blue t-shirt gang showed great energy and professionalism, kindness, wisdom and care as they interacted with our 4000+ visitors across four-and-a-half days. They are the beating heart of our annual Festival and we are filled with gratitude. The spirit of Sorrento is alive and well in our volunteers, and they represent all that is wonderful about community and being connected.
 
Thank you, everyone, for making our 2024 a success. Let the 2025 planning begin!
 
Corrie Perkin, Founder and Festival Director
Corrie

What People Said About The 2023 Festival

The 2023 Sorrento Writers Festival was a resounding success. In our first year, the Sorrento Writers Festival established itself as one of Victoria’s most exciting literary events. Feedback from presenters and the public was incredible.

Hi Corrie, I wish to thank you and your army of volunteers who stood by the festival and believed its success would catapult it for an annual event marked on the calendar. Thank you bringing communities, visitors and writing enthusiasts together - believers of the art.
Debra Mar
Mornington Peninsula Deputy Mayor
Hi Corrie, I wish to thank you and your army of volunteers who stood by the festival and believed its success would catapult it for an annual event marked on the calendar. Thank you bringing communities, visitors and writing enthusiasts together - believers of the art.
Chris Hammer
Author
What a fabulous, inspiring, thought provoking festival you hosted. It was such a lovely environment to immerse oneself in - everyone was friendly, inclusive and genuinely thrilled to be there. I was particularly delighted with the way the Voice was received. Thomas Mayo is a star. As is Corrie. Actually she is an entire galaxy.
Belinda B
There was so much to love about the Sorrento Writers Festival, but here’s what matters: I spoke with several audience members who’d never been to a writer’s festival before. And they loved it. They each left the session excited by books, and ideas, and stories. For me, introducing the most democratic of art forms to regional Victorians was the best part of the weekend.
Toni Jordan
Writer

2023 Festival in Pictures

The local community embraced the idea of a new cultural event on the Mornington Peninsula’s southern tip, while first-time visitors to the area were delighted by the region’s natural beauty, the shopping, cafes and bars, and the warm and inclusive welcome they received.

Supporters of Sorrento Writers Festival

The Sorrento Writers Festival would not have been possible without the support of our fabulous donors.

You give, we grow

It’s as simple and as wonderful as that.

We thank those who donated to our 2024 and 2023 Festival. And if you’d like to contribute financially as we plan 2024, please click the Show Your Support button above – and thank you.

writers festival mornington peninsula

words matter

Welcome to The Sorrento Writers Festival, a new not-for-profit cultural and community organisation that will bring year-round literary events, discussions and talks to Sorrento and the wider Mornington Peninsula community.

Our inaugural four-day Festival runs April Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 and we hope you’ll join us.

This seaside gathering of great ideas brings together some of Australia’s finest minds and deepest thinkers. In April we welcome more than 100 writers, journalists, academics, commentators, illustrators, and musicians to our beautiful part of the Peninsula. And we can’t wait.

The Sorrento Writers Festival acknowledges the Bunurong people of the great Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which our Festival takes place. We celebrate our region’s deep First Nations history, its European settler influence, and its contemporary role as one of Victoria’s most beautiful coastal villages.

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The Festival begins in

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The Sorrento Writers Festival is an opportunity for writers, readers and the wider Sorrento community to come together to celebrate the power of storytelling.

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Speakers

craig silvey

Craig Silvey

Professor Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

Professor Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

sofie laguna

Sofie Laguna

jane harper

Jane Harper

professor marcia langton

Professor Marcia Langton

laureate professor peter doherty

Laureate Professor Peter Doherty

sorrento writers festival

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