Shillong Literary Festival to Return in November with New Writing Initiative

The sixth edition of the Shillong Literary Festival will be held from November 12 to 14 at Ward’s Lake, bringing writers, artists, thinkers and readers together for three days of literary discussions, storytelling, performances and cultural programmes.

Supported by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, the festival has developed into a platform for literary and cultural exchange, while also highlighting the state’s storytelling traditions and creative community.

This year’s edition will take place during Shillong’s cherry blossom season, adding a seasonal cultural element to the festival. The programme will bring together stories and traditions from the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities with contemporary Indian and international literary voices.

A key feature of the 2026 edition is “First Bloom: Discovering New Writing from the Northeast,” an initiative aimed at identifying and encouraging emerging fiction and narrative non-fiction writers from the region. The initiative will offer a total prize pool of ₹75,000, with ₹50,000 for the winner and ₹25,000 for the runner-up. It is intended to provide new writers from the Northeast with greater visibility and an opportunity to connect with wider audiences.

Ahead of the main festival, two workshops focusing on career opportunities in literature will be held on October 26 at the State Convention Centre in Shillong. The morning session, scheduled from 10:30 am to 12 pm, will feature Kanishka Gupta, while writers Mitra Phukan and Lalnunsanga Ralte will lead the afternoon session from 3 pm to 5 pm. Each workshop will have 100 seats, with registrations available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The festival’s 2026 programme follows a prelude held earlier this year at Bikaner House in New Delhi. The event featured actor Naseeruddin Shah, 2026 Pulitzer Prize winner Suparna Sharma and journalist Shekhar Gupta, helping extend the festival’s engagement with literary, media and creative communities beyond Meghalaya.

Over the years, the Shillong Literary Festival has hosted authors such as Banu Mushtaq, Vikram Seth, Shobhaa De, Shehan Karunatilaka and Francesc Miralles. Last year’s edition recorded more than 13,000 visitors.

Alongside literary sessions, the upcoming festival will include music and food programmes. Artists associated with the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program will perform each evening, while food stalls will showcase local cuisine and culinary talent.

The festival is also part of Meghalaya’s broader efforts to support its creative economy and cultural tourism by bringing together writers, artists, performers, local businesses and audiences through a shared cultural platform.