Newcastle Writers Festival is a dynamic annual event held in April that celebrates books and brings together readers and much-loved writers. The three-day program features 150 emerging and established writers across 95 free and ticketed events. The program, which centres on the Civic precinct and is close to public transport links, includes panel discussions, readings, book launches, performances, writing workshops and one-on-one interviews. Previous guests have included Trent Dalton, Clementine Ford, Helen Garner, Stan Grant, and Michael Robotham. Readers have the opportunity to speak to their favourite writers and the hub of the festival is the pop-up bookshop where guest writers sign their books.