GET READY FOR YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK EVENT OF 2025

The Riverina Readers Festival is an annual one day reading festival that aims to bring the Riverina community together through the celebration of reading in all its forms.

WHO WILL BE THERE?

In this all day event, readers can expect to hear from our headlining Australian and international bestselling Women's Fiction and Romance author; Rachael Johns. 

Rachael has published over 20 novels, with The Patterson Girls winning the 2016 ABIA for General Fiction, and she’s a two-time winner of the Romance Writers of Australia RUBY Award. This extraordinary interview will be moderated by Australian award-winning author and podcaster, Irma Gold.

Leading Australian Bibliotherapist, Dr. Susan McLaine will also be joining our Riverina Readers Festival to discuss the studied and practiced benefits of reading, and explains the power of walking through ink and paper into new worlds.

Readers will also have the pleasure of hearing from 2023 Miles Franklin award-winner Shankari Chandran, and Australian Country Romance experts Maya Linnell, Alissa Callen and Stella Quinn.

Bestselling Crime Fiction authors, Mark Brandi and Anna Snoekstra will be speaking alongside, returning and locally-adored Sulari Gentill and they will also be joining the sharing their humorous essence around writing the books that have us craving for more.

This year, be prepared to travel through new doorways of fiction with romantasy authors Kell Woods and Lyndall Clipstone, accompanied by Australian bestselling Young Adult Fantasy and dark academia author, Lili Wilkinson. This panel will be facilitated by past Wagga local, talented journalist and avid reader, Tahlia Sinclair.

Wagga Wagga's very own Young Adult and Children's author, Gabrielle Tozer (The Unexpected Mess of It All, Can't Say it Went to Plan, The Intern, Melody Trumpet, Peas and Quiet) will be welcoming you on the day, alongside Wuilli Wuilli woman and award-winning Young Adult author, Lisa Fuller and 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Award Winner for Young Adult Fiction, William Kostakis.

WHO AM I SUPPORTING?
Each Festival year, the Riverina Readers Festival Inc. is dedicated to choosing an organisation/group/not-for-profit who directly support reading accessibility, reading in all its forms and/or reading skills. For 2024, the chosen organisation is Story Dogs. Story Dogs is a national literacy program in which a volunteer, child and trained story dog spend dedicated time once-a-week in a school practicing reading at the child's reading level while building self-confidence and literacy skills for life. 

You are welcome to provide a donation at the time of your ticket purchase or on the day of the Festival.  More information on Story Dogs here: https://www.storydogs.org.au/

WHEN SHOULD I GET THERE?
Doors open at 9:00AM for seat selections, Riverina Readers Festival merchandise sales and book sales, supported by Collins Booksellers Wagga Wagga.  First Panel will commence at 9:30AM. 

Book Signings and Author Meet & Greets will be available following each session.

EATS & TREATS
No food or drink will be available on site, our local friends from Birdy Brew and Birdy Bar are offering a special 20% discount on all food and drink to Riverina Readers Festival ticket holders. Simply show your wrist band that you will receive upon entry to our Festival and the discount applies all day across both cafe and bar.

BYO food and drink is welcome. This is an alcohol and drug free event.