After a three–year absence, we are delighted to bring back our innovative networking event and are currently inviting applications from Victorian literary professionals. 

About the program 

The International Literary Programmers Roundtable combines Melbourne’s highlights with a range of professional opportunities for delegates. These include networking and exchanging best–practice ideas, meeting Australian publishers and local literary organisations, attending events and gatherings, and enjoying Melbourne as a UNESCO City of Literature.  

Our international guests have been confirmed. You can read an introduction to them here. 

Eligibility 

This initiative is open to any Melbourne professional who works in the literary sector and delivers programs to an audience. They could be a festival director, librarian, bookshop programmer or any other professional that fits the above description.  

This program is free. Unwaged or employees from small, funded organisations will be offered a small honorarium. Regional applicants will have their travel covered. 

Dates 

The program will run from 2–7 October 2023. The international delegates will be involved in some tours which are optional (but you are most welcome to join). For your reference, please see a draft of this program at the end of this page. 
 

Expressions of interest close on Monday 31st July 2023, 5:00pm (AEDT). 

The International Literary Programmers Roundtable will be co–run with the Wheeler Centre.  

To express your interest, please fill in the following form. If you have any questions, please email Director David Ryding.

Some feedback from past participants: 

‘I thoroughly enjoyed, valued and was challenged by the conversations I had with my programming peers. The welcome, hospitality, facilities and programme offered to us by Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office and the Wheeler Centre made a very conducive environment for constructive and candid sharing and learning.’ 

Peggy Hughes, National Centre for Writing (formerly known as Writers’ Centre Norwich) VILP Participant, 2019  

‘It was a unique experience to be able to connect with peers from around the world… I would now like to work closer with, not only with Australian literary organisations, but with all of the delegates’ markets as well.’  

Emirates Literature Foundation  

‘I made a number of important connections which will hopefully lead to more partnerships in the future. We plan a special focus on Australian cities in our work next year…[and] I am thinking of running a similar program in our Festival of the Future City in 2019.’ 

Bristol Festival of Ideas 

‘The program is one of its kind and coming from a region where there are few literary organisations and even fewer literary arts programmers, it was immensely beneficial from a professional development standpoint.’ 

Singapore Arts House  

‘The roundtable was very well–conceived… it was a pleasure to interact with my counterparts from across the world and gain from their experience. I particularly enjoyed the interactions with the various literary organisations at the Wheeler Centre… We would like to see more Australian writers in India and familiarise Indian readers with their work.’ 

Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival   

DRAFT PROGRAM: