2026 PROGRAM
2026 program
Friday 28th August 2026
FRIDAY NIGHT BOOKCLUB
Friday 28th August, 6pm
Sterling Place, Dunkeld
Join Michael Williams, Marieke Hardy and Jason Steger for an evening of lively literary conversation as they discuss three remarkable books selected especially for this year’s Festival Book Club.
2026 program
Saturday 29th August 2026
OUT OF THE SHADOWS
Saturday 29th August, 9am
Sterling Place: Dunkeld Community Centre
Rebecca Lim and Jessica Mansour-Nahra discuss their latest novels, in conversation with Michael Williams.
Saturday 29th August, 10:30am
Sterling Place: Dunkeld Community Centre
Robbie Arnott, Tony Birch and Alice Pung in conversation with Jason Steger.
TRUTH, TRUST AND POWER
Saturday 29th August, 11:45am
Sterling Place: Dunkeld Community Centre
Antoun Issa and Amy Remeikis discuss the their new books with editor-in-chief of Schwartz Media, Erik Jensen.
THE JAMES & ISABELLA DAWSON ORATION
Saturday 29th August, 2pm
Mt Sturgeon Woolshed
This year’s oration features Tony Birch, author, academic and activist, in discussion with Michael Williams.
BEYOND THE TASTING PLATE
Saturday 29th August, 3:30pm
Mt Sturgeon Woolshed
Beloved cook, broadcaster and author Alice Zaslavsky joins Erik Jensen for a lively conversation.
THE DUNKELD WRITERS FESTIVAL DINNER
Saturday 29th August, 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start
Parker Street Project, Royal Mail Hotel
Wine and dine alongside our festival authors over a three course dinner at the renowned Royal Mail Hotel.
2026 program
Sunday 30th August 2026
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS...
Sunday 30th August, 9.15am
Sterling Place: Dunkeld Community Centre
Jason Steger quizzes Robbie Arnott, Jessica Mansour-Nahra and Simone Kain on the books that have stayed with them.
NOT ALWAYS ROSE COLOURED GLASSES
Sunday 30th August, 10:45am
Sterling Place: Dunkeld Community Centre
Why are we so drawn to stories of the past? Marieke Hardy leads Antoun Issa, Alice Pung and William McInnes in a conversation about memory, nostalgia and memoir.
WHO'S AWAKE AT 4AM? SPORTS FANS
Sunday 30th August, 12pm
Sterling Place: Dunkeld Community Centre
John Harms and William McInnes will be joined by one yet to be revealed surprise guest on our Sunday sports panel.
THE GREAT HAIKU CHALLENGE AWARDS
Sunday 30th August, 1.15pm
Sterling Place: Dunkeld Community Centre
Join us for a free final session as part of the 2026 Dunkeld Writers Festival. Our esteemed judges will read aloud their prize-winning picks and our people’s choice will be revealed.