The Emerging Writers’ Festival work, learn and play largely on the land of the Kulin nation, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

EWF celebrates the history and creativity of the world’s oldest living culture.

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About the Emerging Writers’ Festival

The Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) is one of Australia’s most established and well-respected literary festivals. We exist to develop, nurture and promote Australia’s new writing talent, creating platforms for connecting writing communities and their audiences.

Through the flagship festival in Melbourne and an annual program of events, EWF provides opportunities for emerging writers to develop professionally, and supports them to engage new and larger audiences. We are a place where creativity and innovation are celebrated, where new talent is nurtured and where diverse voices from across Australia are represented.


Contact

IN WRITING

PO Box 21251
Little Lonsdale St
Melbourne VIC 8011

OFFICE

We are located in the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing & Ideas.

Operating Monday – Friday

EMAIL

For all general queries, you can reach us via email here.

ADVERTISE

For digital and physical advertising opportunities with Emerging Writers’ Festival, click here.

PARTNER WITH US

To get in touch about partnership and sponsorship opportunities, you can reach us via email here.


The EWF Team

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CO-CEO

Jess Zanoni

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-CEO

Jes Layton

PROGRAM PRODUCER

Bianca Lucchesi

MARKETING & PHILANTHROPY COORDINATOR

Henry Farnan

OPERATIONS MANAGER

TBA

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

TBA

SUPPORTERS

We are endlessly thankful to our generous community of supporters.

EMERGING WRITERS’ FESTIVAL BOARD

Latoyah Forsyth (Chair)

Phil Jones (Treasurer)

Gabrielle Ryan (Deputy Chair & Deputy Treasurer)

Jade Moore (Secretary)

Julia Carlomagno

Henry Koehne

Guy Edwards

Jamila Djafar Khodja

Learn more about our Board here.

2025 FESTIVAL ILLUSTRATOR

TBA

2025 GRAPHIC DESIGN

TBA

2025 GUEST CURATOR

TBA

2025 RICHELL PRIZE COORDINATOR

TBA

2025 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

TBA

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS

Festival Volunteers are part of an ongoing partnership with RMIT University’s Creative Writing, Editing and and Publishing programs to establish skills building and developmental opportunities within the literary sector.

2025 WEBSITE DEVELOPER

Fine Thought