WELCOME


Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival (TARWF) is Australia's southern-most literary festival, a celebration of books, writing and community in the glorious Huon Valley, Tasmania. Just 30 minutes from Hobart's CBD, and a world away, we offer a range of live, live-streamed and virtual programming throughout the year.

Our land of natural beauty, artisan producers and intriguing stories is also home to our unmissable 2023 program.


COMING UP


Professional Development Program - For Writers

Seats available - Buy now

  • Sex or Intimacy?, with Narrelle M. Harris, 31 October 2023 ($90) - Buy now

  • Writing a Romance Subplot, with Alison Stuart, 1 November 2023 ($90) - Buy now

  • Short Stories, with Natalie Conyer Masterclasses, 2 November 2023 ($90) - Buy now

  • 3 day Meet the Australian Publishing Industry Weekend Intensive - 4, 5 and 6 November - Now open live out - $750 - EOI Now


LOOKING BACK


 
 

TAF2023 | TASSIE VICE, Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 October 2023

Join the creator of Vera and Shetland - the UK’s Ann Cleeves - Australia’s Garry Disher, NZ’s Vanda Symon and a host of Australian authors for a criminally good time at our biennial international crime and mystery festival.

Professional development program for writers, Saturday 21 October to Sunday 12 November 2023

For aspiring, emerging and established genre writers, progress your career with our waterfront writers’ retreats, masterclasses and flagship Meet the Australian Publishing Industry program.


TAF2023 | TASSIE VICE, TASMANIA’S INTERNATIONAL
CRIME AND MYSTERY FESTIVAL

Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 October 2023
Huon Valley, Tasmania

Crime and mystery readers and writers, get excited: in 2023 we’re back to live for our international festival weekend!

Join the UK’s Ann Cleeves, New Zealand’s Vanda Symon, and our own Garry Disher, David Owen, Sarah Barrie and a host of others this October.

The theme for this year’s four days of panel discussions, masterclasses and book events is TASSIE VICE. Think 80s detective shows, the rise of the amateur sleuth, and How to Host a Murder dinners.

It’s time to break out the hypercolour shirts. Our murder mystery dinner this year, Death at the Blue Light Disco, will have an 80s dress-up theme.

Click here for more information.


 
 

2023 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
FOR WRITERS

21 October to 12 November 2023

This October and November we’re offering an unmissable professional development program for writers, including:

Click here for more information.


 
 

In 2023, our extremely popular WATERFRONT WRITERS’ RETREATS at the Kermandie Hotel return, including:

  • a six-night crime and mystery themed Writers’ Retreat, Sat 21 to Fri 27 Oct 2023,

  • a four-night all genre Writers’ Retreat from Mon 30 Oct to Fri 3 Nov 2023, and

  • the Meet the Australian Publishing Industry program will include a third week of Writers’ Retreat, beginning on Tues 7 Nov 2023 and ending on Sun 12 Nov 2023.

Click here for more information.


 
 

From Friday 3 November to Sunday 12 November 2023, build vital professional networks, knowledge and skills at TARWF’s MEET THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLISHING INDUSTRY program:

  • meet 10 key figures in the Australian publishing industry in person, including agents, publishers, marketers and booksellers;

  • edit your manuscript and hone your pitch package in a five day writers’ retreat; then

  • pitch to publishers/agents.

Click here for more information.



QUICK LINKS



It is important to note that we put significant measures in place to accommodate people with various allergy and physical disability needs. All participants are asked to respect the health, safety and accessibility measures we take and help us maintain a physically safe space for all guests and staff.


Stay up to date on what’s happening at the festival.

Sign-up for #TerrorAustFest Updates


Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our festival is held, the Melukerdee People of the South East Nation, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.


TARWF is supported by: