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Artwork for 2026 Brisbane Writer's Festival

Brisbane Writers Festival UQ

Stories belong to all Queenslanders.

We are proud to partner with Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) 2026.

This collaboration celebrates Queensland's diverse literary talent and provides opportunities for communities to connect over conversations, ideas and stories.

Brisbane Writers Festival logo

Featured event

closeup photo of author Debra Dank
8 October

First Word Keynote

UQ is the exclusive presenting sponsor of the 2026 First Word Keynote. BWF’s 2026 opening speech will be delivered by one of Australia’s most accomplished authors and educators: the Gudanji/Wakaja and Kalkadoon writer Debra Dank.
Brisbane Powerhouse

Events for young people

UQ shares the BWF mission to champion creative literary excellence and education equity among young Queenslanders.

That's why we're proud to sponsor the Festival's program of events for young people. These include the schools' microfiction competition, whose winner will be announced on 9 October, and the Schools program.
 

Artwork for 2026 Brisbane Writer's Festival
8-11 October

Schools program

Supported by UQ, the Brisbane Writers Festival Schools Program invites students to experiment with their creativity and immerse themselves in the magic of story with some of Australia’s leading children’s writers.
Brisbane Powerhouse
Bright artwork for the Brisbane Writers Festival for kids and young adults

Microfiction competition

Brisbane Writers Festival and UQ present the annual schools’ microfiction competition, open to Queensland-based students.

The 2026 prompt is the YA and Schools program artwork by Rachel Tribout. Students are invited to write their microfiction piece inspired by the artwork as a whole, or elements of it. Students are invited to respond to the prompt in 120 words or less in any prose. The winner receives a book pack for their school and a cash prize of 1,000 for the senior category and $500 for the junior category.

Entries are open: 5 August – 13 September.

UQ sponsored events

grid of 4 separate images of panellists
9 October

Thrillers

Panel Members: Ian Kemish, Dinuka McKenzie, Danny Ben-Moshe & Nick Croydon in conversation with Joanna Jenkins.
writers-festival-Suzie-Miller
9 October

Suzie Miller: Inter Alia

Suzie Miller in conversation with Frances Whiting.
grid of 4 separate images of panellists
9 October

We Need to Talk about Literary Culture

Panel Members: Mindy Gill, Julian Meyrick, Raeden Richardson & Darby Jones in conversation with Carody Culver.
Madonna King
8 October

Madonna King: Screen Wise

In conversation with Rebecca Livingston.

UQ community discounts

UQ is the proud presenting of BWF2026 at Brisbane Powerhouse. 

Use code SILVER10 in the “Please enter your password” option in Ticketek for 10% off tickets.

Book tickets through the BWF site