About Words in Winter
We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Words In Winter is held.
Words in Winter is a not-for-profit organisation (operating as Spa Country Events Inc). It is one of the broadest festivals in the Hepburn Shire region. Each town offers events that are organised by a volunteer Words in Winter committee or co-ordinator who creates their own unique program.
This is the 19th annual Words In Winter writers’ festival. This is the fifth year that Kevin and I have run this festival, and it’s impossible to thank festival creators David and Lorelle Hall enough for bringing the warmth of community and shared experience to the unforgiving, cold month of August in Daylesford. Even Londoners swear it’s colder here!
This year, we have combined our experience and talents to curate what we believe is a thoughtful and moving programme.
To help us, we’ve brought together some of the best thinkers, writers, poets, artists and musicians in our region and beyond. You’ll experience intimate personal moments and compelling panel discussions and maybe even make a new friend.
The countdown is on, so get ready for the launch of Words In Winter 2021 and early bird tickets.
Maia Irell, Festival Director
Our Festival Directors

Maia Irell

Kevin Childs
Maia and her husband, Zoran, moved to Daylesford from the beaches of Santa Monica one deep, dark, freezing winter in 2006. Since then they have sought ways to survive winter. Words In Winter is a good remedy.
Author of eight books and an as-yet-unmade feature film, he is now focussing on short stories.
“The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals.”
Siddharth Katragadda
Previous Festivals
2018 Change and Chance
A twist of fate, a happy accident, an uncanny coincidence… how often have our lives and our futures been transformed and transfigured by the invisible hand of fortune? This is what we hope to explore over two weekends days in August.
Festival Directors – Maia Irell and Kevin Childs.
2017 Origins
Festival Directors – Maia Irell and Kevin Childs.
2016 Food for Thought
Festival Directors – Maia Irell and Kevin Childs
2015 The Tree of Life
2014 Words on the Wildside
Festival Directors – Jen Bray, Anne E Stewart, Mark Dickenson.
2013 Hidden Treasures
Festival Directors – Jen Bray, Anne E Stewart, Mark Dickenson.
2012 From Little Things
Festival Directors – Jen Bray, Anne E Stewart, Mark Dickenson.
2010 Journeys
Festival Directors – Glen Heyne, Sally van Rooden, Jenny Dickson, Lesley Hewitt, John van Rooden.

Words in Winter is an annual literary and arts festival held in August each year in the Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts.