Want to get out and mingle with wordsmiths, literature lovers and people interested in exploring the creative arts? Then skeddadle along to one of the upcoming events:

This Is Not Art (TINA) Festival, Newcastle 30 September-4 October

Head to the coastal surrounds of Newcastle for a supercharged festival that combines the best of the independent, emerging and experimental arts festivals into one festive four day event. There’s a huge range of workshops, exhibitions, talks, tours, markets, installations and events covering everything from Electrofringe, National Young Writers’ Festival, Sound Summit, Critical Animals and the Crack Theatre Festival.

Melbourne Writers Festival, Victoria 27 August – 5 September 2010

Tickets are already selling fast for the 25th Melbourne Writers Festival. With literary banquets, debates, readings, performances, film screenings and workshops to enjoy at this year’s festival, the Melbourne Writers Festival is a nationally and internationally-acclaimed festival featuring over 350 writers from around the world and more than 300 events. harvest is joining a host of literary magazines as part of the Magazine event on the River Terrace.

The festival program features an enormous range of literary activity including entertaining discussions, debates, readings, film screenings, interviews, literary banquets, performances, workshops and book launches, as well as a lively schools’ program for primary and secondary students.

More information, visit mwf.

Woodend Winter Arts Festival, Victoria 11-14 June  2010

Held every year on the Queen’s Birthday weekend, the Woodend Winter Arts Festival has a diverse program of activitities on offer from jazz and chamber music to literary and visual arts.

The 2010 program is the sixth festival and 39 events will be held to celebrate significant anniversaries of great composers as well as the works of contemporary artists. There are opportunities to reflect on the world or to be immersed in the beauty, charm and wisdom of old, great art.

For futher information, visit Woodend Winter Arts Festival.

Emerging Writers’ Festival, Melbourne 21–30 May 2010

The Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) exists to promote the interests of emerging writers – to improve their opportunities for professional development and their engagement with the broader public. And in May, it’s doing so with a 10-day “cavalcade” of events.

Tickets go on sale 4 weeks prior to the festival.

The Williamstown Literary Festival, Victoria 27 April – 2 May 2010

If you love literature and writing, head to the the 7th Williamstown Literary Festival.

The 2010 Willy Lit Fest includes workshops, special events, films, panels and readings, book groups and more.

With guests like Waleed Aly, Steve Bracks, Tasma Walton, William McInnes, Catherine Deveney, Marieke Hardy, Danny Katz and Andy Griffiths sessions are sure to book out fast. You can check out the full program here.

The Festival runs from Tuesday 27 April to Sunday 2 May at the Williamstown Town Hall.

For more information visit Willy Lit festival.

Dog’s Tails, St Kilda 2010

A weekly program of both well-known, lesser known and unheard of writers who will read you their stories and tell you their tales. Hosted by harvest poetry editor, Josephine Rowe, and Torpedo‘s Chris Flynn.

Where: Dog’s Bar, 54 Acland St, St Kilda

When: Thursday nights, 8-9.30pm in the private reading room.

How much: $10 includes a glass of wine