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Melbourne Writers Festival has unveiled its full 2025 lineup, bringing the most exciting voices in contemporary literature to our nation’s literary heartland from 8–11 May. 

 
This year’s Festival is brimming with Booker Prize winners, inspiring memoirists, acute political analysts, vibrant podcasters, transcendent musicians, shimmering poets, and the next generation of Australian literary talent. 

Under the guiding theme of Magical Thinking, this year’s line-up brings together a cosmic combination of literary stars to explore the power of storytelling as a transformative force – a way to not only understand the world but to change it, one story at a time.

Book before 11.59pm, Thursday 27 March to save 10% on tickets (some exclusions apply). Explore the program and book your seats here.

Samantha Harvey: Orbital
Sun 11 May, 2.30pm | Athenaeum Theatre

Journey through deep space with Samantha Harvey, winner of the 2024 Booker Prize for her novella Orbital – a profound meditation on the meaning of life and the nature of humanity itself. Hosted by Kate Mildenhall.

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Marian Keyes: My Favourite Mistake
Sun 11 May, 12.30pm | Athenaeum Theatre

Spend a lively afternoon in the company of Marian Keyes, one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time, as she reflects on telling stories that resonate across generations and lessons learned over the course of her career.

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Rumaan Alam: Entitlement
Sat 10 May, 12pm | The Capitol

Bestselling author Rumaan Alam talks about his latest novel Entitlement, a simmering exploration of money, morality and the compromises we’re willing to make. In conversation with ABC Radio National’s Claire Nichols.

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Hannah Kent: Always Home, Always Homesick
Sun 11 May, 4.30pm | Athenaeum Theatre 

One of Australia’s bestselling literary novelists, Hannah Kent, presents her debut work of non-fiction – a tender, diaristic love letter to her muse, Iceland. Speaking with ABC Radio National’s Richard Fidler.

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