FAQ

What are the dates of the 2026 Words on the Waves Writers Festival?

The 2026 Words on the Waves Writers Festival spans Wednesday May 27 – Monday June 1.

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Where can I view the 2026 Festival Program?

The full 2026 program is available on the website and you can browse the program booklet here.

Where can I get a hard copy of the 2026 Festival Program?

We will advise where you can pick up your hard copy of the program closer to the date.

Where does the Festival take place?

The Words on the Waves Writers Festival Day Pass program (Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31) will take place across three venues: the Umina Beach Surf Life Saving Club (509 Ocean Beach Rd, Umina Beach), Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club (176 The Esplanade, Umina Beach), and Festival Marquee in the Peninsula Recreation Precinct next to Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk. With both surf clubs boasting a panoramic beach view, and the marquee nestled in leafy parklands, these Festival venues are hard to beat!  There are large free car parks adjacent to all venues.

Select events will also take place at venues across the Central Coast, for more Venue information visit here.

Can I just book into a single session at the Day Pass program?

No, attendance at our Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31 Day Pass sessions is only possible with the purchase of a Day Pass or a Weekend Pass.

However, other events are ticketed singularly, including the Dip program (Saturday 30 May); our Highlight Events (Wednesday May 27 Opening Address, Thursday May 28 Late Night Lit, Friday May 29 History Walk and Story Club, Saturday May 30 sundowner session, evening headliner and poetry slam, and Monday June 1 Literary Cruise); and professional development Writing Workshops and panels.

Are there any free events at the Festival?

The local author book launches are free events but you will need to book a seat.

The Family Fun Day on Saturday May 30 is free, as is the Central Coast Reads Author Talk.  In 2026 we are also running a free month-long exhibition at Gosford Regional Library, Juvenilia.

Are there any events for children?

Yes, we offer a Primary Schools Program and a Secondary Schools Program, booked directly with participating schools.

There will also be a free Family Fun Day on Saturday May 30 aimed at families with children aged from toddlers through to upper primary school.

Can I volunteer at the Festival?

Yes! We are incredibly grateful to our team of volunteers, and consistently recruit. Please see the Volunteers page (in the footer of the website) for more details or contact us here.

Can I present my work at the Festival or recommend an author for the event?

We have confirmed our authors for the 2026 festival, but we welcome ideas from Central Coast writers as well those from further afield for 2027.

Author invitations are issued at the discretion of the programming committee, who design the program well ahead of each festival.

Do you run professional development events for writers?

Yes. In 2026 we will once more partner with industry leaders Writing NSW and Faber Writing Academy to deliver a suite of professional development events for aspiring writings, including an industry panel and writing workshops. These will take place on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31 at the Galleria Ettalong.

Can you put me in touch with an author on the program?

We cannot pass on contact details for, or messages to, authors attending the Words on the Waves Writers Festival – please contact the writers’ publisher or agent. If you have a media enquiry, please contact: program@wordsonthewaves.com.au 

How do I book tickets?

Tickets are now available to purchase through our website. You can explore the program on the website and then purchase Passes, or you can click to go straight to the Buy Tickets page.

Will there be door sales?

To help manage seating and venue limits, we strongly recommend you book tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment, however there may be a limited number of tickets available for purchase at the Box Office (Festival Marquee) on Saturday May 30 if the event has not fully sold out. Please check the website to see which events have sold out. We also suggest you arrive well in advance of event start times so that tickets can be checked and so that you can choose your seats.

How are tickets delivered?

They will be emailed to you along with your receipt. We will need to see proof of purchase when you arrive. You have the option to print your tickets, show us the digital PDF in your email, or simply save your tickets to the Wallet App on your phone.

What are the service fees?

Service fees are $3.50 per transaction.

What if I have any problems?

You can contact us at program@wordsonthewaves.com.au with any problems and we will endeavour to help you.

Is seating allocated at the Festival?

The seating is General Admission and is not allocated.

There are wheelchair accessible areas in each venue. Please contact us on coordinator@wordsonthewaves.com.au and we will try to assist you.

How do I get to the festival?

For information on bus, ferry and train services to the Central Coast, visit the Tourism Central Coast website here.

Will there be an information desk at the Festival?

There will be a Festival Box Office at the Festival Marquee in the Peninsula Recreation Precinct (next to Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk). Lost property, information about the program, venue and other general information will be available here.

How long do the events last?

The majority of events last one hour. Start and end times for each event will be detailed on their online event listing and in the program.  Time is allowed after each event for book sales and author signings.

Can I buy books at the Festival?

The Festival has its own dedicated bookseller located onsite, BOOK FACE Erina. Audience members will be able to purchase books by authors appearing in the Festival in the bookshop.

Can I get my books signed at the Festival?

Yes. Book signings will take place immediately following most events, near the Festival bookshops.

Will any Festival events be recorded?

We record our Festival events where possible (please visit our Live Recordings & Podcast page for past highlights). It is possible that audience members’ images will be included from time to time in the filming. Should you wish not to be filmed, please advise a volunteer. No flash photography or recording by attendees is permitted.

What provisions will be in place at the Festival for those with disabilities?

Ocean Beach SLSC and Umina SLSC are both fully accessible venues. The Festival Marquee is accessible via a ramp however does require moving across a grassed field to reach it. Words on the Waves is happy to support Companion Cards and Assistance dogs; please email us on admin@wordsonthewaves.com.au to enquire further.