International Literary Programmers Roundtable 2026 - EOIs open for Victorian-based literary workers
About the program:
The International Literary Programmers Roundtable is our unique networking and professional development program. Over three online meetings and five days of roundtables, you will have a chance to workshop your role, connect with other programmers both here and abroad, and develop new connections. The International Literary Programmers Roundtable is co-presented with Melbourne Writers Festival.
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.
Please note that 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 has two stages which are mandatory – the virtual introductions and the in-person roundtable.
1. Virtual Introductions. They will be held at the following times and be no more than 90 minutes:
- Virtual Meeting – Wednesday 4th February 7am
- Virtual Meeting – Wednesday 4th March 7am
- Virtual Meeting – Wednesday 2nd April 7am
2. The in-person roundtable will run in the mornings (9am–1pm) from 4–9 May 2026. There is also a welcome function and farewell dinner, which are not mandatory (but we would love for you to come).
This year, we will be welcoming:
- Anna Goode from British Centre for Literary Translation
- Deborah Challis from The Portico Library
- Holly Fletcher from the Dunedin Athenaeum & Mechanics Institute
- Jen McDerra from Exeter City of Literature Office
- Maria Świątkowska from Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe
- Nina Lohman from Brink Literary
- Ryan Van Winkle from StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival
See all past participants here.
Expressions of interest close on Monday 15 December 2025, 5:00pm (AEDT).
Please apply here.
If you have any questions, please email Director David Ryding.
Some feedback from past participants:
‘Whatever expectations I had were far exceeded – I left the round table energized for what I do, and with many new friends! The openness of everyone taking part in the programme and their willingness to share the good and the bad of their experience as literary producers made me feel part of a very special group of people.’
Ann Landmann, Cymera: Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing
‘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)
‘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.’
Ahlam Bolooki, 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.’
Andrew Kelly, 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.’
Jobina Tan, 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.’
Maina Bhagat, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival