The autumnal chill has well and truly settled into the Victorian mornings, which means that it’s time for the annual Clunes Booktown Festival!

For two days each year, the town of Clunes becomes home to the largest collection of new, second-hand, rare and out-of-print small-press publications and collectible books in Australia. Readings will be hosting two stalls at this year’s festival, along with a host of book traders from across Australia. We’re hoping to see some of you there next weekend (4-5 May).

This year’s program will see an exciting array of guests including prize-winning authors Jock Serong, Tony Birch, Nicole Hayes, Robbie Arnott and more. Highlights include authors Alice Pung, Jane Caro and Andrea Goldsmith in discussion on writing women’s lives; George Megalogenis, Melanie Cheng and Kon Karapanagiotidis on what defines us as a nation; and a gardening session with The Planthunter author Georgina Reid and Milkwood founders Kirsten Bradley and Nick Ritar.

A special children’s program in the kids tent features Squishy Taylor author Ailsa Wild’s little activist letters writing session; an illustration workshop with Gabrielle Wang; as well as a magic show and children’s workshops on screenwriting and circus skills.

Along with author talks and panel discussions, festival-goers can discover the largest collection of rare, out-of-print and collectible books in Australia, go inside heritage buildings, listen to live music, watch street performers, and take a horse and cart ride.

Readings will be setting up two pop-up shops – one for adults and one for kids – with new releases as well as hundreds of bargains starting at $5. The stalls will also feature signings by festival authors Jane Caro, Jock Serong, Alice Pung, Marilyn Lake, Melanie Cheng, Michael McGirr, Andrea Goldsmith, Kon Karapanagiotidis, Tony Birch and more.

You can find the full 2019 program here.

A weekend pass is $10 for adults, $5 for secondary school students (aged 12-18) and free for children under 12 years. Certain panels and author talks occurring over the weekend are also ticketed.

Please note that organisers advise visitors to withdraw cash from an ATM in advance, as there there will be very limited ATM access on site. Readings stands will have EFTPOS facilities.

Find more information and book your tickets here.