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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Before summer officially draws to a close, we’re delighted to share the next instalment in our Summer Reads from Friends of the Festival series.

This time, recommendations come from @nathanluffauthor - one of our wonderful Festival friends who is instrumental in creating a love of reading and creativity within the minds of our younger generations. Nathan’s line-up includes something for everyone: one adult read, one young adult novel, and one children’s book.

📖 'The Other Valley' by Scott Alexander Howard @scottalexanderhoward 
"A town sits in a valley. To the east is the same town 20 years in the future. To the west is the same town twenty years in the past. This book is all about the interaction between these towns (and the laws in place)- it's in equal parts thrilling and beguiling" says Luff.

📖 'Into the Bewilderness' by Gus Gordon @gusgordonbooks 
"This is a cute and gentle graphic novel about the friendship between a bear and a mole, and the thirst for change and adventure. Sweet, funny and beautifully designed" describes Luff.

📖 'What Have They Done to Liza McLean?' by Amy Doak @amydoak 
"I’m reading this YA novel with my almost-teenager. He squirms a lot at the romance bits but is totally there for the unravelling mystery. Told in two perspectives, one male and one female."

Three thoughtful recommendations to round out the season - and something for readers of every age.

Keep an eye out for more suggestions from us throughout the year as we start the countdown to Festival months,.
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#BerryWritersFestival #SummerReads #FriendsOfTheFestival #WhatWereReading #BecauseWordsMatter
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

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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