Emerging Writers' Festival

Applications are now open for our 2026 Marketing Intern at the Emerging Writers' Festival. This a ten-week internship for someone looking to gain employable experience in arts events marketing and communications. Running one-day a week from mid-July to mid-September, here's your chance to gain experience amongst EWF's small team in-person at the EWF office in The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne, VIC. The EWF Marketing Intern will work closely with EWF’s Marketing & Philanthropy Coordinator on the ins-and-outs of arts festival marketing by assisting with the digital roll-out and promotion of the 2026 festival. Please note this is an unpaid opportunity, and as such is suited to someone at the beginning of their arts work journey, who is keen for on-the-ground foundational experience towards future employment in the arts and cultural sector. 👉 For details and to apply, head to the EWF website via the link in our bio! 🤔 If you have any questions about our 2026 Marketing Internship, please email us on [email protected] #EmergingWritersFestival #ArtsInternship #ArtsOpportunities #EWF26 #WritersFestival

Soak up the writing wisdom of some of Australia’s standout debut & seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. 💌 Dr Jodi McAlister, author of 'An Academic Affair' (2026), the 'Valentine' trilogy, and more! 💌 Keshe Chow, Sunday Times bestselling author of 'Strange Familiars' (2026), 'For No Mortal Creature' (2025), and more! 💌 Olivia Tolich, debut author of 'Side Character Energy' (2026). 💌 Leearna Shaw, debut author of 'A Farm in Golden Clouds' (2026). 💌 Joshua Hortinela, debut author of 'Hate You to Love You' (2026). Join this Saturday online or in-person at The Wheeler Centre for Masterclass: Romance Writing, 11AM-4:15PM. In-person and online livestream tickets available 🚨 Spots are limited so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia @joshhortinelawriter @jodimcalister @oliviatolich @leearna.shaw.author @keshewrites

ONE WEEK LEFT TO SECURE YOUR SPOT! 🗣️ Dr Jodi McAllister discusses ways the romance genre is more important in today's world than ever. 🗣️ Olivia Tolich, Josh Hortinela and Leearna Shaw contest misconceptions, discuss their craft, and deconstruct the genre's place in Australia's publishing landscape. 🗣️ Sunday Times bestelling author Keshe Chow leads an exclusive workshop on common tropes, genre expectations, building intimacy between characters, and how to write satisfying romantic scenes for any book. At our Masterclass: Romance Writing, hear from some of Australia’s standout debut and seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. ----- 📅 When: 2 May 2026, 11AM-4:15PM 📍 Where: The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 👉 In-person and online tickets available ----- 🚨 Spots are limited for in-person tickets, so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia @joshhortinelawriter @jodimcalister @oliviatolich @leearna.shaw.author @keshewrites

Hear from Leearna Shaw at this year's Masterclass: Romance Writing! Leearna Shaw is a contemporary rural romance author of 'A Farm in Golden Clouds' (2026), inspired by the chaos of living on a small farm in north-east Victoria. EWF and Romance Writers Australia are teaming up for a one-day masterclass for writers of romance -- hear from some of Australia’s standout debut and seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. 📅 When: 2 May 2026, 11AM-4:15PM 📍 Where: The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 👉 In-person and online tickets available 🚨 Spots are limited so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia @joshhortinelawriter @jodimcalister @oliviatolich @leearna.shaw.author @keshewrites

Hear from Olivia Tolich at this year's Masterclass: Romance Writing! Olivia Tolich is the author of 'Side Character Energy' (2026), and is based in Melbourne (Naarm). She has made books her entire personality from a young age and has terrible eyesight to show for it. She works as an educational publisher and has a dog named Poppy who really hates that her human’s main interest involves sitting around staring at a computer. EWF and Romance Writers Australia are teaming up for a one-day masterclass for writers of romance -- hear from some of Australia’s standout debut and seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. 📅 When: 2 May 2026, 11AM-4:15PM 📍 Where: The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 👉 In-person and online tickets available 🚨 Spots are limited so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia @joshhortinelawriter @jodimcalister @oliviatolich @leearna.shaw.author @keshewrites

EWF is proud to open entries to the 2026 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers, in partnership with Hachette Australia. Entry is open to unpublished writers of adult fiction and adult narrative non-fiction. The winner will receive a year’s mentoring with a Hachette publisher, who will work with the winning writer to develop their manuscript towards publication, as well as $10,000 in prize money from Hachette. For the first time, long- and short-listed writers will also be eligible to apply for a Casa Morphosi Residency in Abruzzo Italy. Submissions to the Prize are now open until 13 July 2026, 11:59PM AEDT. So dust off those hidden, bedroom-drawer masterpieces, polish off your beloved debut draft and get submitting! More info and full T&Cs available via the link in our bio! #EWF26 #HachetteAus #EmergingWritersFestival2026 #RichellPrize #RichellPrizeForEmergingWriters #RichellPrize2026

Be brave, be bold and submit your work! We are honoured to launch the 2026 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers, in partnership with @emergingwriters 🏆 The Richell Prize is free to enter for unpublished writers of adult fiction and adult narrative non-fiction and offers the winner a rare one-year mentorship with a Hachette publisher and $10,000 in prize money. Long and shortlisted writers will also be eligible to apply for a Casa Morphosi Residency in Abruzzo Italy. 🔗 Apply now via the link in our bio

Hear from Josh Hortinela at this year's Masterclass: Romance Writing! Joshua Hortinela is the author of upcoming 'Hate You to Love You' (2026). He is a writer and bookseller who also works in social media marketing. A passionate reader, he has worked in the book industry for nearly ten years. EWF and Romance Writers Australia are teaming up for a one-day masterclass for writers of romance -- hear from some of Australia’s standout debut and seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. 📅 When: 2 May 2026, 11AM-4:15PM 📍 Where: The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 👉 In-person and online tickets available 🚨 Spots are limited so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia @joshhortinelawriter @jodimcalister @oliviatolich @leearna.shaw.author @keshewrites

Hear from Keshe Chow at this year's Masterclass: Romance Writing! Keshe Chow is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of 'Strange Familiars' (2026), 'For No Mortal Creature' (2025), and more. She is also a specialist feline medicine veterinarian. EWF and Romance Writers Australia are teaming up for a one-day masterclass for writers of romance -- hear from some of Australia’s standout debut and seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. 📅 When: 2 May, 11AM-4:15PM 📍 Where: The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 👉 In-person and online tickets available 🚨 Spots are limited so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia @joshhortinelawriter @jodimcalister @oliviatolich @leearna.shaw.author @keshewrites

Hear from Jodi McAlister at this year's Masterclass: Romance Writing! Jodi McAlister, PhD, is an author and academic from Kiama, Australia. She is the author of 'An Academic Affair' and the 'Marry Me Juliet' trilogy. She is a senior lecturer in writing, literature, and culture and is the president of the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance. EWF and Romance Writers Australia are teaming up for a one-day masterclass for writers of romance -- hear from some of Australia’s standout debut and seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. ------ 📅 When: 2 May 2026, 11AM-4:15PM 📍 Where: The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 👉 In-person and online tickets available ------ 🚨 Spots are limited so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia @joshhortinelawriter @jodimcalister @oliviatolich @leearna.shaw.author @keshewrites

On Thursday I pitched my YA romantasy, the first in a planned trilogy to @hachetteaus as part of their collab with @emergingwriters . The virtual event was called Inside The Publishing House and it was AMAZING. The 4 interactive sessions were packed with insights, tools and strategies. I personally loved hearing more about @alexsawyerwriting ’s writing journey pre and post his Ritchell Prize. His tip: “You need the confidence of a middle aged white man” was perfection and so funny 👏👏 There are SO many layers and steps in getting a book ready for sale. The amount of passion, talent and time that goes into it after a book deal is signed is extraordinary, hectic but also super exciting. The team at Hachette are so lovely, especially @sophiegreenbooks who did a fabulous job in getting us ready to pitch later that arvo. I prepared my pitch ahead of time but made a couple of tweaks after her session (because her tips were so fab). Pitching isn’t easy, especially on a live video call, but I can honestly say I had a great time with @wenyeeang_writes . In the few minutes I had, she offered me such invaluable advice and encouragement. I cannot wait to see what to see what this next chapter will bring!! 💃✨ Huge thanks to @emergingwriters and all that you do for us. Congrats on another fantastic event. #writersofinstagram #writingtips #writingjourney #romantasy #yabookstagram

Missed out on EWF's first big event of 2026 yesterday? No worries! You can still catch us at our upcoming Masterclass: Romance Writing on 2 May at The Wheeler Centre and streamed online! EWF and Romance Writers of Australia are teaming up for a one-day masterclass for writers of romance -- hear from some of Australia’s standout debut and seasoned romance authors. Learn what it takes to craft a romance worth reading in 2026, and meet other emerging romance writers to share your journey with. 📅 When: 2 May 2026, 11AM-4:15PM 📍 Where: The Wheeler Centre & streamed online 👉 In-person and online tickets available ----- 🚨 Spots are limited for in-person tickets, so book now via the link in our bio! #EmergingWritersFestival #WritingMasterclass #RomanceWriters #WritingRomance #RomanceWritersAustralia @rwaustralia