Story perspectives

Rosemarie Milsom appointed, bans disinvites; festival attendance up 27%

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rosemarie Milsom was appointed director of Adelaide Writers' Week after the board resigned over the Randa Abdel-Fattah disinvitation.
She refused to drop Abdel-Fattah from the Newcastle Writers Festival, emailing every booked writer to promise no disinvites.
Milsom says strong festival governance, not appeasing any single group, prevents board failures like Adelaide’s collapse.
The Newcastle Writers Festival recorded a 27 % attendance rise in 2026 and no protests, indicating audience support.

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Story summary

Rosemarie Milsom was appointed director of Adelaide Writers' Week after the board resigned over the Randa Abdel-Fattah disinvitation.
She refused to drop Abdel-Fattah from the Newcastle Writers Festival, emailing every booked writer to promise no disinvites.
Milsom says strong festival governance, not appeasing any single group, prevents board failures like Adelaide’s collapse.
The Newcastle Writers Festival recorded a 27 % attendance rise in 2026 and no protests, indicating audience support.