Excitement is building for the Western Downs fourth annual Words Out West Readers and Writers Festival, with the keynote events, Books & Bubbles and Festival Day.

The award-winning festival will be taking a novel approach to storytelling throughout the month of March, with the return of author tours, school days, writers’ retreat, and Schooners and Stories, culminating in the immensely popular Books & Bubbles Gala and Festival Day events at end of the month.

Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Councillor Kaye Maguire said this year’s festival was shaping up to be a huge event, with an exciting calendar of events and workshops being held from the 1st to the 29th of March. “Over the past three years the Words Out West: Readers and Writers Festival has proven itself to be a not-to-be missed event – it’s a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best writers, speakers and illustrators in the business right here in the Western Downs,” Cr Maguire said.

The main Festival Day kicks off on the 25th of March at the Dalby Events Centre. As always, attendees can expect a huge day of keynote speakers and panel discussions that are sure to inspire curiosity and celebrate modern Australian storytelling in all its forms. The Writers Retreat starts the following day, giving an opportunity for aspiring writers to refine their skills in a day-long workshop with author Vicki Bennett. This year’s festival also sees a youth short-story writing workshop introduced to the line-up, hosted by Susan Mackie.

Other unmissable events to mark in your calendar are Schooners and Stories with NRL legend Brent Tate in Wandoan and Kaimkillenbun, the region-wide author tour with Rachael Johns, and the ever-popular School Days events for children. For more information and tickets, visit Words Out West 2023.

Readers also enjoyed our story about Western Downs Australia Day Winners.