The Central Coast’s first and only writers’ festival – Words on the Waves – is elated to once more bring this one-day event to the reading community in partnership with Pearl Beach Progress Association.

Nestled in amongst lush green trees and ferns and hosted at a charming community hall, this will be an intimate day of author conversations and book signings.

This year’s Words at Pearls True & Twisty features an extraordinary line-up of authors tackling true stories… with their own unique twist. And just like a good page-turning thriller, these titles will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Joining us for our 2026 outing is Matt Bevan, host of the wildly popular ABC podcast and iView series If You’re Listening. An ABC journalist since 2008 and former Radio National Breakfast newsreader, Matt’s recent book Declassified explores the murky waters of history, memory and the stories we tell ourselves. Fellow media luminary Paul Barry – of Media Watch fame – regales us with the hair-raising real life tale of steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta. His book The Big Steal might be non fiction but it has all the trappings of fiction: corporate villains, charisma and corruption. Speaking of fiction, bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris, will satisfy that itch with her incredible new book The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse, spotlighting the real forgotten women of the French Resistance. And finally, fashion editor of The Saturday Paper Lucianne Tonti draws a fascinating line between ‘women’s work’ – such as weaving – and a long and horrifying history of witch hunts. In The Good Witch, Tonti takes us on a voyage across the world from New England to Norway.

No matter what, these stories have to be heard to be believed. Be there!

Doors open from 9am.