Thursday 5 September
Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September
Full program is subject to change.
Look who’s coming!
SHANKARI CHANDRAN 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award winner for Chai Times at Cinnamon Gardens.
GARRY DISHER acclaimed, international award-winning Australian crime writer of over 50 novels.
SALLY HEPWORTH is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including Darling Girls and The Soulmate.
CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS award-winning author of The Slap, playwright, essayist and screen writer.
Psychological thriller author PROFESSOR ANNE BUIST & GRAEME SIMSION author of The Rosie Project series.
DR CHRIS SARRA CEO of the Queensland Office of First Nations Engagement and Innovation.
DR MELISSA ASHLEY award-winning Queensland author of historical fiction novels and celebrated academic
JACK RONEY former Queensland police officer and detective turned authentic crime novellist and podcaster.
KIRSTY MANNING bestselling author of historical fiction including The Hidden Book and The Paris Mystery.
PROFESSOR JOY DAMOUSI AM is a distinguished historian and ACU’s Dean, National School of Arts and Humanities.
DR NICK EARLS beloved award-winning Queensland author of 28 adults, teenagers, and children.
KARINA KILMORE journalist, author, reviewer, and Chair of the Australian Crime Writers Association.
Meet our Featured Local Authors!
RACHEL ARMSTRONG award winning North Queensland contemporary romantic fiction author.
LORIE BRINK lives in Townsville and writes action-adventure books, with her debut novel to be launched at the Festival.
SANDY CLARK an Airlie Beach local, public speaker, freelance journalist, and volunteer for the vulnerable.
HARRY COLFER is an experienced critical care paramedic and published a murder-mystery, two action-adventure thrillers, and a collection of short stories.
RICHARD EVANS is an Airlie Beach author of nine crime thrillers, drawing from his service as a federal politician in the Australian national parliament.
MELINDA LOUISE HUTCHINGS is the Festival’s Vice President, writer, speaker and mentor dedicated to helping people overcome adversity.
KAREN JACOBSEN President of the Whitsunday Writers Festival, international speaker, concert artist and songwriter, author, and the voice behind over a billion GPS and smartphone devices.
JO NIGHTINGALE is an Airlie Beach local and wrote her first book in 2013 while travelling through India.
GLYNDA JOY PARFITT is a solo sailor who began writing her memoir in 1998 of her slightly eccentric childhood.
BEC RUSSELL long-term Whitsundays local, holistic health coach, yoga teacher and recently published author.
JOAB RUSSO is Airlie Beach local, has been investigating spiritual information for his first debut novel.
A.L. TIPPETT wrote her first novel at twelve and writes urban fantasy novels, with one featuring Bowen’s Big Mango.
PETER UTBER settled in the Whitsundays 24 years ago, an author of numerous short stories and poetry, and his novel.
MONIQUE VAN TULDER is a Shute Harbour resident lifestyle and travel writer – telling the stories of women doing inspiring things, in fascinating places.