Words on the Waves Writers Festival 2026

The Book Face Erina team were lucky enough to work with Words on the Waves Writers Festival again as their official bookseller for 2026! It was a huge weekend with the whole Book Face and Words on the Waves team after months of planning (and lots of boxes of books).

Celebrating its sixth year, Words on the Waves Writers Festival is a celebration of words and ideas set on the beautiful Central Coast in New South Wales, offering a jam-packed week of author talks and signings, workshops and family friendly events.

This year, the theme was Take the Time: take the time to pause and hear a hard-won life story. To sit with a complex truth. Consider a view not your own. Indulge in imaginative curiosity. With a location like Umina Beach, it was hard not to take some time and enjoy the stunning Winter sun and sand between our book pages.

Here are some of our picks from the festival:

Warra Warra Wai by Darren Rix & Craig Cormick

A First Nations account of the arrival of Captain Cook and his Endeavour, told by Gunditjmara-GunaiKurnai man Darren Rix and author Craig Cormick as they retrace Cook’s steps. With a live didgeridoo performance from moderator John Maynard, this panel was a fantastic and insightful yarn!

Defiance by Bob Brown

For half a century, Bob Brown has been standing up to the powerful interests who would put profit before planet. In conversation with Natalie Kyriacou, we heard all about the tales of defiance from Brown’s illustrious career, as well as inspirational stories from younger generations. The perfect book for anyone feeling a little helpless during these times.

I Eat the Stars by Sarah Wilson

I Eat the Stars empowers readers to move beyond panic, doom and despair. How can we find meaning in a world facing systemic collapse? How can we live a good life, fully? This are the questions Sarah Wilson, Brigid Delaney and Yumi Stynes explored on their panel. I Eat the Stars is an impassioned case for finding joy and meaning in life, even when things feel unbalanced.

The Hidden by Bryan Brown

After a career as one of Australia’s favourite screen icons, Bryan Brown is turning his talents to crime fiction with this gripping thriller set on the South Coast of New South Wales. In conversation with Candice Fox, we were regaled with tales of Brown’s screen career and inspiration behind his novels.

Where It All Went Wrong by Amy Remeikis

A searing revaluation of John Howard’s time as Prime Minister from one of Australia’s leading political commentators, Amy Remeikis. We heard from Remeikis, journalist Cam Wilson and author Antoun Issa on legacies, independent media and the fall of mainstream media.