Shillong Literary Festival 2026
Shillong Literary Festival 2026
The Shillong Literary Festival 2026 is a three-day celebration of literature, ideas, storytelling, and creativity, set to take place in Shillong in November 2026.
The festival brings together writers, poets, thinkers, artists, performers, and literary enthusiasts from Meghalaya, across India, and around the world. The programme features literary discussions, author sessions, poetry readings, book launches, live art, music, and theatrical performances.
Set against the distinctive setting of Ward’s Lake, the festival provides a platform for diverse voices and perspectives while encouraging conversations around literature, culture, society, creativity, and contemporary ideas.
The Shillong Literary Festival is an opportunity for visitors and audiences to engage with writers and artists, discover new stories and ideas, and experience the vibrant literary and creative culture of Meghalaya.
Event Timings: 10:00 AM onwards
Name of the Event Management Agency: The Circus Entertainment
Website: https://shillonglitfest.com/
The Shillong Literary Festival 2026 is a three-day celebration of literature, ideas, storytelling, and creativity, set to take place in Shillong in November 2026.
The festival brings together writers, poets, thinkers, artists, performers, and literary enthusiasts from Meghalaya, across India, and around the world. The programme features literary discussions, author sessions, poetry readings, book launches, live art, music, and theatrical performances.
Set against the distinctive setting of Ward’s Lake, the festival provides a platform for diverse voices and perspectives while encouraging conversations around literature, culture, society, creativity, and contemporary ideas.
The Shillong Literary Festival is an opportunity for visitors and audiences to engage with writers and artists, discover new stories and ideas, and experience the vibrant literary and creative culture of Meghalaya.
Event Timings: 10:00 AM onwards
Name of the Event Management Agency: The Circus Entertainment
Website: https://shillonglitfest.com/
Workshops, Competitions & Sub-Events
Explore curated sessions, creative workshops, and special initiatives taking place as part of Shillong Literary Festival 2026.
First Bloom: Discovering New Writing from the Northeast
A writing initiative for aspiring authors hailing from or residing in the Northeast in Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction.
Prizes:
- Winner: ₹50,000 Cash Prize
- Runner-Up: ₹25,000 Cash Prize
Timeline:
- Last Date for Submissions: October 20, 2026
- Shortlisted entrants pitch to jury: November 11, 2026
- Shortlisted authors attend festival: November 12–14, 2026
- Results announced: November 14, 2026
A writing initiative for aspiring authors hailing from or residing in the Northeast in Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction.
Prizes:
- Winner: ₹50,000 Cash Prize
- Runner-Up: ₹25,000 Cash Prize
Timeline:
- Last Date for Submissions: October 20, 2026
- Shortlisted entrants pitch to jury: November 11, 2026
- Shortlisted authors attend festival: November 12–14, 2026
- Results announced: November 14, 2026
Literature Workshop-I: Career Prospects
A 360-degree look at career opportunities in the evolving book industry, spanning publishing, publicity, literary agencies, editing, and emerging challenges and opportunities shaped by AI.
Facilitator: Kanishka Gupta (Literary Agent representing Booker-winning authors)
A 360-degree look at career opportunities in the evolving book industry, spanning publishing, publicity, literary agencies, editing, and emerging challenges and opportunities shaped by AI.
Facilitator: Kanishka Gupta (Literary Agent representing Booker-winning authors)
Literature Workshop-II: Creative Writing
An interactive creative writing workshop exploring narrative technique, voice, and storytelling craft.
Facilitators: Mitra Phukan & Lalnunsanga Ralte
An interactive creative writing workshop exploring narrative technique, voice, and storytelling craft.
Facilitators: Mitra Phukan & Lalnunsanga Ralte
One Day Photography Workshop: Ways of Visual Practice
Join photographers Menty Jamir, Indrajit Khambe & Bipin Aspatwar for a full day of conversation, photography practice, portfolio review, and visual reflection.
Topics Covered:
- Ways of Seeing: Developing your own visual perspective
- Making Images Wherever You Are: Finding stories in everyday life
- Observation as a Way of Life: Looking closely, listening, and connecting
Who It Is For: Open to all photography enthusiasts (phones or DSLR/mirrorless cameras welcome).
Join photographers Menty Jamir, Indrajit Khambe & Bipin Aspatwar for a full day of conversation, photography practice, portfolio review, and visual reflection.
Topics Covered:
- Ways of Seeing: Developing your own visual perspective
- Making Images Wherever You Are: Finding stories in everyday life
- Observation as a Way of Life: Looking closely, listening, and connecting
Who It Is For: Open to all photography enthusiasts (phones or DSLR/mirrorless cameras welcome).