SAVE THE DATE

23-25 OCT 2026

BECAUSE WORDS MATTER...

The Berry Writers’ Festival acknowledges the Dharawal and Dhurga language-speaking groups who are traditional owners of this area. We acknowledge their customs and culture, which have nourished, and continue to nourish, this land. And we extend our respects to Elders, past, present, and future.

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Our summer reading series continues - celebrating the books our Festival friends are loving right now and perfect for long, lazy days spent lost in a good story.

This time, we’re turning to our Artistic Director, @torihaschka, who loves a great summer read and is currently enjoying these fabulous finds:

📖 'Your Friend and Mine' by @jessicadettmannauthor 
Tori says this is the "Perfect bibliotherapy for anyone in a reading slump. Armchair travel, warmth and wit. It’s Dettmann at her best ... 
‘When Margot receives an email from her best friend it comes as a shock ... seeing as Tess died twenty years ago’. 
Cue a midlife scavenger hunt throughout London, where what you find might not be what you expect. 

📖 'Careless People - A story of where I used to work' by Sarah Wynn- Williams
"This is a brilliant and brave whistle blower memoir from inside Facebook/ Meta. Sarah is a gripping writer and this book is an excellent reminder of the toxicity of the attention economy - and why picking up a book is a better way to spend an afternoon," says Tori.

📖 'Chosen Family' by @madeleine_gray_ 
Madeleine Gray - acclaimed bestseller of 'Green Dot' - returns with a story about friendship, queer love and the families we build for ourselves. It’s wry and delicate and uproariously funny at times. Also terrific as an audiobook. 

Keep an eye out for more summer reading inspiration from us - and enjoy getting lost in the pages.
Summer Reads from Friends of the Festival.
We know this time of year is perfect for pulling out a novel and getting lost in its pages - long days, slower moments, and stories that stay with you.

To kick off our new Summer Reads from Friends of the Festival series, we’re delighted to share three recommendations from author and festival stalwart @meredithjaffeauthor - all perfect companions for summer reading.

📖 'A Great Act of Love' by @heather_rose_writes 
“A gorgeously written historical novel about reinvention, legacy, love and champagne!” says Jaffé

📖 'The Heir' Apparent by @rebeccaarmitageauthor 
“With more than a nod to the royal family dramas of recent years, this is a juicy tale about impossible choices, duty and freedom” describes Jaffé.

📖 'Dreamwives' by @clairenovak.author 
“A hilarious take on female friendship, revenge of the jilted wife and a sharp elbow to the ribs on the invisible work of women.” 

Three novels. Three very good reasons to slow down and read on.

More summer recommendations coming soon.
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#BerryWritersFestival #SummerReads #FriendsOfTheFestival #WhatWereReading #BecauseWordsMatter
Welcome 2026. It seems fitting to begin the year of the Berry Writers' Festival with good news. We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tori Haschka as the Artistic Director of the 2026 Berry Writers’ Festival.

@torihaschka was instrumental to the 2024 Festival - offering valuable guidance, creative ideas, strong industry relationships and an innate understanding of how to bring a program to life. It seems fitting that she now steps into the Artistic Director role to shape the festival’s next chapter.

Tori is the author of two novels published by Simon & Schuster, along with two non-fiction cookery books. Her career includes serving as Associate Artistic Director of the 2024 Berry Writers’ Festival, working as a Senior Communications Adviser for the Australia Council for the Arts (2007–2010), and has a MA in Strategic Communication Management.

A proud Berry local, Tori lives here with her husband and two children and we are thrilled to have her guiding the creative vision of the 2026 Festival.

Please join us in congratulating Tori on this exciting appointment.

Berry Writers' Festival | 23-25 OCT 2026

Our Authors Say…

MEET THE TEAM

the 2026 Berry writers festival team

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Berry Writers’ Festival is largely volunteer run, our generous sponsors and donors help make the festival happen. 

If you’d like to donate as an individual you can give a tax-deductible donation (via the Australian Cultural Fund) and become listed as one of our donors. 

If you’d like to talk about sponsorship opportunities please get in touch.

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