ACT Book of the Year Award 2026

4:00pm | Theatre

The ACT Book of the Year Awards celebrate literary excellence and recognise the outstanding achievements of ACT authors. The afternoon will commence with a panel discussion featuring the shortlisted authors sharing insights into their creative processes and the stories behind their acclaimed works. Following the panel discussion the Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries, Michael Pettersson MLA will announce the recipient of the 2026 ACT Book of the Year.

The Library That Made Me

Chris Hammer, Sophie Gee, Corey Tutt and Phillipa McGuinness | 5:00pm | Level 4

Many of us have fond memories of formative times in libraries – minds opened by the shelves of treasures, research projects unleashed and novels deliciously enjoyed in peace. Let's traverse the importance of the local libraries in our country towns to the great libraries of the world. 

From Psychics to Psychedelics with Judith Lucy

6:30pm | Theatre

Judith Lucy is on the mend. This event might make you feel better too! Ever stuck a toe in wellness waters but then realised you’re sick, burnt out and need to dive in headfirst? Judith’s been there! Join her now to hear tales of reiki, sound healing and cryotherapy but more than that – her clear-eyed assessment of what has been so very wrong with how she (and a lot of us) have been living. Judith appears in conversation with Chris Ryan.

The National Library of Australia is proud to be a foundation partner of the Canberra Writers Festival.