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There's a good reason why Melbourne is recognised as the literary capital of Australia. Having been crowned as the country’s first UNESCO City of Literature - and second ever in the entire world! - our hub of events, festivals, fairs, workshops and classes provide bookworms and indie authors a year-long calendar of literary events to check out. While the year might almost be over, there’s still plenty of great things to attend. Read on to discover our favourite upcoming literary events taking place over the rest of 2026 in and around Melbourne.
Queenscliffe Literary Festival
When: October 16th to 25th
Where: Queenscliffe
It’s not too late to catch what’s left of the Queenscliffe Literary Festival this weekend. Massive names in the Australian writing community will make an appearance over the course of the festival, from expert interviewer Shaun Micallef to famed author and cartoonist Kaz Cooke. If you’re a fan of reading, this is a must-attend event! You can expect everything from talks and workshops to book swaps and panels.
Healesville Zine Fair
When: October 31st
Where: The Memo, Healesville
It’s not just Melbourne city that is home to a range of incredible literary events. The Healesville Zine Fair is the perfect place to discover your next favourite indie author and bring home a bunch of cool reads to inspire you on your next writing adventure. Discover a variety of self-published authors and writers selling their books and zines, as well as a collection of talks, readings and workshops to participate in and get to know the writerly community around you.
Developing a Manuscript to Publishing Standard
When: November 7th
Where: The Wheeler Centre, Melbourne CBD
This workshop led by book editor and writing coach Laurel Cohn will guide you through the process of developing your manuscript to the highest possible standard. Perfect for emerging self-published authors who have already finished at least one draft of their book, you can expect to learn what the process to publication entails and the tools needed to find success on your self-publishing journey.
Mountain Writers Festival
When: November 13th to November 15th
Where: Macedon, Victoria
Less than an hour from Melbourne’s CBD, step into a world of literature where nature is front and centre of the story. Mountain Writers Festival is an environmental literary festival that celebrates writing, thinking, talking and performing in ways that pay tribute to our beautiful country. You can expect to see guests like Bob Brown, Debra Dank, Tony Birch and many more at this community-focused weekend of literature.
All Booked Out Festival (ABOF)
When: November 22nd
Where: Brown Hill Community Hall, Ballarat
Whether you’re a self-published author or a fan of reading work from indie writers, this newer annual author market and book fair organised by Coven Press is a must-visit in November. Over 50 independent and traditionally published authors, businesses and vendors will be coming together to sell their reads and remind you why Victoria is home to one of the best literary ecosystems in the country. You’ll also be able to attend workshops to learn a new skill or two.
Plus, FolioFox are proud to be a sponsor of this festival and will be providing a cosy reading nook for you to dive into your new books on the day!
A Day In Carlton Festival
When: November 12th to 13th
Where: Readings, Carlton
It’s no secret that Readings is one of Melbourne’s best independent booksellers. This November in the inner-city suburb of Carlton, A Day In Carlton Festival will be putting together a whole collection of bookish and writerly events for bookworms and keen authors to check out. From masterclasses and workshops to help you learn something new about storytelling to interviews and talks when you can hear from your favourite local writers and nationally acclaimed authors, there are plenty of amazing events to pick and choose from for a massive day (or two!) of all things books.
Whatever you get up over the rest of what’s left of 2026, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of what Melbourne and the surrounding areas have to offer in the way of book events, festivals, workshops and more. As we head into summer, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the wonderful events taking place in Australia’s very first City of Literature.
For bookworms interested in publishing their own self-published books, learn more about our local printing services in Melbourne and get started on your printing journey by getting in touch with our team today. We're here to help you navigate the evolving world of printing with confidence.
