Our Mission

We believe that reading in all its forms: paper books; digital books; e-reading; audio; podcasting; and more, should be accepted and encouraged as a way of connecting with words.

Riverina Readers Festival values the joy of reading, the sharing of knowledge behind stories and storytellers, and providing opportunities for our regional communities to connect in person and online through words.

Previous Authors and Moderators

2023

Brooke Hill

• Emma Grey

• Clare Fletcher

• Karina May

• Brooke Hill • Emma Grey • Clare Fletcher • Karina May •

2024

Gabrielle Tozer

• Emma Grey

• Karina May

• Chris Hammer

• Jack Heath

• Sulari Gentill

• Sophie Hansen

• Karen Viggers

• Kate Mildenhall

• Mary-Anne O'Connor

• Julia Levitina

• Shelley Burr

• Michael Robotham

• Tony Park

• Alivia Fleur

• Eden Summers

• Abra Pressler

• Lauren Searson-Patrick

• Gabrielle Tozer • Emma Grey • Karina May • Chris Hammer • Jack Heath • Sulari Gentill • Sophie Hansen • Karen Viggers • Kate Mildenhall • Mary-Anne O'Connor • Julia Levitina • Shelley Burr • Michael Robotham • Tony Park • Alivia Fleur • Eden Summers • Abra Pressler • Lauren Searson-Patrick •

2025

Lisa Fuller

• Irma Gold

• Shankari Chandran

• Will Kostakis

• Gabrielle Tozer

• Lyndall Clipstone

• Lili Wilkinson

• Kell Woods

• Bibliotherapist Dr. Susan McLaine

• Sulari Gentill

• Mark Brandi

• Anna Snokestra

• Shelley Burr

• Maya Linnell

• Alissa Callen

• Stella Quinn

• Rachael Johns

• Lisa Fuller • Irma Gold • Shankari Chandran • Will Kostakis • Gabrielle Tozer • Lyndall Clipstone • Lili Wilkinson • Kell Woods • Bibliotherapist Dr. Susan McLaine • Sulari Gentill • Mark Brandi • Anna Snokestra • Shelley Burr • Maya Linnell • Alissa Callen • Stella Quinn • Rachael Johns •

Genres Covered To Date

Crime Fiction
Romance
Fantasy
Cooking
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction

Speculative Fiction
Australian Rural Romance
Indie Romance
Young Adult Fiction
Political Drama
Children's Fiction

Our Reading Team

With over 6 years of book selling experience in the Riverina, a Bachelor of Social Work and a passion for sharing her book recommendations on Mel Reviews Her Books blog, Melissa Fattore founded and leads Riverina Readers Festival Inc.
Favourite Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak

Annabel is a Science Communicator with a passion for volunteering and connecting community. She has been involved in starting local agricultural discussion groups for women; local Sustainable Living Festivals and most recently, UNISONg, a women’s community choir. Annabel is a firm believer that books in all their forms help start conversations that matter. She believes that everyone should be able to see themselves on the pages of a book so that they can feel empowered and supported. Discovering the lack of middle grade chapter books for neurodivergent children living with perceptual dyslexia, Annabel made it her mission to create her own. The Story Weavers of Bacalen series (The Story Snatchers and The Picture Pinchers) is a whirling tale of adventure and mystery, inspired by her own children’s creative imaginations.
Favourite Book: That is like choosing a favourite child.
“I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you need them most.” - Emma Thompson

Founder and creator of the River & Wren Markets, Jennie is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to community connections, supporting local businesses and spreading the good word about the appetite for talent in our region. After handing on the baton of the River & Wren Markets, Jennie joined our committee with a passion and drive for sharing the joy of reading.
Favourite Book: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Helen has a love of books and volunteering for our community. Her community roles consist of President, Wagga Wagga High School P&C, Chair of Freeroam Theatre Company, Secretary of Wagga Wagga Water Polo and Treasurer of Wagga Community Band. Helen is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws where there is a lot of reading! In between trimesters, she crams in reading for pleasure.
Favourite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee & The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

Historian, curator, avid reader of all genres, fiction and non-fiction, Sam is also a proud indie romance tragic. As an emerging writer, she has been an InScribe mentee, was awarded an ASA Copyright agency mentorship and was the 2021 winner of the Historical Novelists Society of Australia ‘First Pages Pitch’ competition. She passionately believes that readers are at the heart of good writing.
Favourite Book: The Princess Bride by William Goldman (and yes, it’s also her favourite movie)

Chrissie has the largest appetite for books and reading, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. From managing and working in libraries, to incorporating the written word through drama performances, Chrissie has enormous book expertise.
Favourite Book & Quote: The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Morris 'Art will wake you up. Art will break your heart. There will be glorious days. If you want eternity you must be fearless.'

Partners

Wagga Wagga City Library

Supporters

St Hugh Hotel

Jack of Hearts Studio

Birdy Brew

Bolinda Audio

Chambers Whyte