The Wheeler Centre will host a series of international literary events this May, bringing five prominent writers and thinkers to Melbourne to discuss politics, technology, storytelling and the challenges shaping modern life.
The events form part of the centre’s 2026 program and will feature conversations spanning spy fiction, debut novels, the climate crisis and the growing debate around truth and trust in the digital age.
Wheeler Centre CEO Erin Vincent said the program reflects the role stories and ideas play in helping people navigate a complex world.
“We’re delighted to welcome these international guests to Melbourne as part of our incredible 2026 program. Stories are one of the most powerful ways to help us process complexity, so opportunities to come together around books and ideas feel vital right now. Audiences will hear from these acclaimed writers and creators, who have each shaped contemporary culture through storytelling, knowledge and imagination.”
Among the headline guests is British author Mick Herron, best known for the Slough House spy series which inspired the Apple TV show Slow Horses. Herron will discuss his latest novel Clown Town in conversation with Jason Steger, exploring the political intrigue, dark humour and flawed characters that define the world of Jackson Lamb and his team of disgraced intelligence agents.
Wikipedia co founder Jimmy Wales will also appear as part of The Fifth Estate series, speaking with Sally Warhaft about the challenges facing reliable information in the digital era. Drawing from his book The Seven Rules of Trust, Wales will examine how Wikipedia became one of the internet’s most widely used knowledge sources and what it means for public trust.
Other events include a conversation with debut novelist Florence Knapp about her book The Names, which explores how a single choice can shape an entire life.
Indian author Amitav Ghosh will discuss his forthcoming novel Ghost-Eye and his long running engagement with the climate crisis, while US writer Tony Tulathimutte will unpack the themes of his novel-in-stories Rejection.
Wheeler Centre members can access presale tickets from Wednesday 11 March, with general tickets released at 10am on Friday 13 March.
