Australia Reads announces first LitUp participants

Australia Reads has announced the 27 schools, libraries and bookshops that will host LitUp events as part of the pilot for this live literature initiative.

In its pilot year, the new LitUp program will focus on communities in regional and outer-metropolitan areas in New South Wales and Queensland. The organisation received over 130 applications to participate.

Successful applicants will receive funding and training to support the delivery of a series of community-led live literature events in each area.

First announced in March, the LitUp program aims to help communities overcome social, geographic and financial barriers that usually prevent them from hosting events with authors, and to support them to bring the benefits of reading and live literature to their area.

Events will run between February and June 2026, and participating schools, libraries and bookshops will work with each other and Australia Reads over the coming months to select and invite authors and illustrators.

More information about the program, including the full list of participating communities, is available on the Australia Reads website.

Category: Events Local news