Shillong, Meghalaya: The sixth edition of the Shillong Literary Festival will take place from November 12 to 14 at Ward’s Lake in Shillong. Supported by the Meghalaya Tourism Department, the three-day event will bring together writers, artists, thinkers and readers. This year’s festival will introduce ‘First Bloom: Discovering New Writing from the Northeast’, an initiative for emerging fiction and narrative non-fiction writers. The competition offers total prize money of ₹75,000. The festival will also feature literary discussions, cultural performances, workshops, music and local cuisine.
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Key Facts
- Event: Sixth Shillong Literary Festival
- Date: November 12–14, 2026
- Venue: Ward’s Lake, Shillong
- State: Meghalaya
- New initiative: First Bloom
- Total prize money: ₹75,000
- Winner’s prize: ₹50,000
- Runner-up prize: ₹25,000
- Career workshops: October 26
- Workshop venue: State Convention Centre, Shillong
- Previous attendance: More than 13,000 visitors
First Bloom to Support Emerging Writers
A major highlight of the 2026 festival will be First Bloom: Discovering New Writing from the Northeast.
The initiative will identify emerging writers working in fiction and narrative non-fiction from Northeast India. The organisers have announced ₹75,000 in total prize money.
The winner will receive ₹50,000, while the runner-up will receive ₹25,000. The initiative aims to provide greater visibility to new literary voices from the region.
Literary Career Workshops on October 26
Ahead of the main festival, organisers will conduct two workshops on careers in literature on October 26 at the State Convention Centre in Shillong.
The first workshop will take place from 10:30 am to noon and will feature literary agent Kanishka Gupta.
The second session will run from 3 pm to 5 pm and will feature writers Mitra Phukan and Lalnunsanga Ralte.
Each workshop will have 100 seats. Organisers will accept registrations on a first-come, first-served basis.
Festival to Blend Regional and Global Voices
The Shillong edition will combine traditional storytelling from the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities with contemporary Indian and international literary voices.
Discussions will explore literature and culture while examining their connections with wider social issues.
Previous editions of the festival have featured prominent writers such as Banu Mushtaq, Vikram Seth, Shobhaa De, Shehan Karunatilaka and Francesc Miralles.
Pre-Festival Event Held in New Delhi
The 2026 festival programme began with a pre-festival event 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.
The main Shillong festival will now expand the programme with literary sessions, storytelling, performances and cultural activities.
Music and Local Food to Add Cultural Appeal
The festival will also include cultural and culinary programmes alongside its literary events.
Musicians associated with the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme will perform each evening.
Food stalls will also offer local cuisine, giving visitors an opportunity to experience Meghalaya’s food traditions during the festival.
Last year’s edition attracted more than 13,000 visitors, according to the organisers.
Shillong Literary Festival and Cultural Tourism
The festival forms part of Meghalaya’s wider efforts to promote cultural tourism and strengthen its creative economy.
By bringing together writers, performers, artists, local businesses and audiences, the event creates opportunities beyond traditional literary programming.
The focus on emerging Northeast writers could also provide a platform for regional stories and new literary talent.
What is the Shillong Literary Festival 2026?
The Shillong Literary Festival is a three-day literary and cultural event featuring writers, artists, thinkers, readers, discussions, storytelling and performances.
When will the 2026 Shillong Literary Festival take place?
The sixth edition will be held from November 12 to 14, 2026, at Ward’s Lake in Shillong.
What is the First Bloom initiative?
‘First Bloom: Discovering New Writing from the Northeast’ is a new initiative focused on emerging fiction and narrative non-fiction writers from Northeast India.
What is the prize money for First Bloom?
The initiative offers ₹75,000 in total prize money. The winner will receive ₹50,000 and the runner-up will receive ₹25,000.
When will the literary career workshops take place?
The two workshops will take place on October 26 at the State Convention Centre in Shillong, with 100 seats available for each session.
Location Context
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is one of Northeast India’s major cultural and tourism centres. Hosting the literary festival at Ward’s Lake brings together Meghalaya’s literary, cultural and creative traditions while supporting the state’s growing cultural tourism sector.