LitUp brings the love of reading to communities
September 2, 2026
Australia Reads has today announced the 31 successful communities who will host events with Australian authors and illustrators in their local areas in 2027, as part of an expanded LitUp author touring program.
Over 100 author events will take place from January -June 2027, hosted by more than 110 schools, libraries, bookshops and community centres.
LitUp encourages a lifelong love of books and reading through in-person connections with Australia’s world-class authors and illustrators.
LitUp returns after a highly successful 2026 pilot, which saw over 6,000 Australian students and community members take part in 82 events with 13 Australian authors and illustrators. They were hosted by 16 communities across 37 schools, libraries and bookshops.
LitUp is a partnership with Writing Australia at Creative Australia, the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, and with Create NSW joining the program this year. This support doubles the number of regional NSW communities that have the opportunity to host an Australian creator.
The program provides funding and training to support the delivery of community-led live literature events – with a particular focus on rural and regional areas.
LitUp helps communities overcome social, geographic and financial barriers that prevent them from hosting events with authors, supporting them to bring the benefits of reading and live literature to their area.
“We were delighted to be participating in the inaugural year of LitUp! This wonderful opportunity will inspire us to flourish as lifelong readers.
It is vital for children, young people, educators and the whole NSW far west community to enjoy books with authors and illustrators, as advocates of storytelling and reading for joy. We’re so glad to be taking part.” Jane Vaughan, Big Sky Stories, Broken Hill
Participating organisations are based in Queensland and New South Wales, and their events will run between February – June 2027.
Over 110 participating schools, libraries and bookshops will work with each other and Australia Reads over the coming months to select and invite authors and illustrators to visit the following areas:
New South Wales
● Broken Hill
● Bourke
● Bungendore
● Cessnock
● Clarence
● Coffs Harbour
● Dungog
● Emmaville
● Gunnedah
● Inverell
● Leeton Shire
● Maitland
● Muswellbrook
● Narrabri
● Port Macquarie
● Raymond Terrace
● Salamander Bay
● Springwood
● Toukley
● Warren Shire
● Wyralla
● Yass
Queensland
● Beerwah
● BYETEC (Brisbane Youth Education & Training Centre)
● Cairns
● Goondiwindi
● Ipswich
● Mornington
● Redland
● Townsville
● Toowoomba
“Meeting an author in person is a rare treat, especially for children in regional areas. Not only can an author visit inspire an enduring interest in reading and writing, it can also support outcomes and engagement across other learning areas. Writing Australia is proud to support LitUp as it moves into year two, expanding the program and creating more opportunities for authors and young readers to connect.” Wenona Byrne, Director, Writing Australia
“The first year of LitUp created exceptional opportunities for Australian authors and illustrators in schools and communities with more than 6,000 students and 82 events. Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund is delighted to continue supporting the program as it expands to more than 100 events in 2027, giving more communities the opportunity to discover Australian authors and their books and share in the joy of reading. Congratulations to Australia Reads and all the participating organisations on building such a strong second year.” Josephine Johnston, CEO at Copyright Agency
“The LitUp program will bring some of our most loved authors and illustrators to libraries, classrooms, bookshops and community venues, to captivate young minds and ignite a passion for literature. Create NSW is delighted our support has doubled the number of communities participating in NSW in 2027.
Create NSW aims to instill a love of reading and storytelling, especially among young people across the state. Our partnership with Australia Reads to deliver the LitUp initiative is a commitment the NSW Government made through Stories Matter: A Writing and Literature Strategy for NSW, which identified the need to promote reading, improve access to cultural resources, and increase live literature events, especially in NSW’s regional and remote communities.” Kerri Glasscock, Executive Director, Create NSW