The Sorrento Writers Festival is a not-for-profit cultural and community organisation festival that brings year-round literary events, discussions and talks to Sorrento, the wider Mornington Peninsula and the Melbourne community. 

The Festival was conceived by award-winning journalist and former bookshop owner Corrie Perkin. The inaugural Festival was held in April 2023 with 94 events and 144 speakers. In 2025 – our third festival – we staged 168 events and hosted 220 speakers across 10 local Sorrento venues. The size of program cemented Sorrento Writers Festival’s position as the second-biggest in Australia (after Sydney Writers Festival).  

Our Festival has a long-term commitment to improve literacy, enhance learning and provide a safe, stimulating and mutually-respectful environment in which to discuss ideas. We want more children reading books. We want them to experience the joys of storytelling and the potential of their imaginations. And so, in July, 2025, the Sorrento Writers Festival Literacy Fund was launched and is now providing funding for important Mornington Peninsula literacy projects.  

In 2026 we will stage our fourth annual event. Once again, Victoria’s biggest literary event will provide extraordinary experiences and showcase amazing Australian talent. We hope you’ll join us in what is truly a community-inspired phenomenon.