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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, did visit Perth in 2024—but not as the headliner of the Festival of Fiction as originally announced. She withdrew from the festival’s October 19 program after King Charles’s Australian tour was announced, then appeared at a separate, sold-out event at Joondalup Resort on November 1.
What was announced for the Festival of Fiction?
On June 17, 2024, PerthNow reported that Ferguson would headline the inaugural Festival of Fiction on October 19 at Edith Cowan University’s Joondalup campus. The program was expected to include author panels by genre and five-minute opportunities for attendees to pitch book ideas to publishers. Writers named in the announcement included Melina Marchetta, Tony Birch, Dervla McTiernan and Nicola Moriarty. The festival was founded by author Tess Woods. PerthNow’s June 17 announcement said tickets were available through Eventbrite at the time; that is historical information, not current ticket guidance.
Ferguson was expected to promote The Gift of Kindness, a children’s picture book published by Perth-based Serenity Press. PerthNow reported that she had more than 55 books to her name across genres. Those details describe the 2024 announcement.
Why did she withdraw from the October event?
On July 16, 2024, The West Australian reported that Ferguson had withdrawn from the festival appearance after King Charles’s Australian tour was announced. Her team said she wanted to avoid drawing attention away from the King’s tour, which overlapped with the planned timing. The statement quoted in the report said: “With regret, Sarah, Duchess of York has decided to withdraw from the Festival of Fiction, so as not to distract or detract in any way from the tour of Australia by His Majesty the King, which has recently been announced.” The West Australian’s July 16 report also said festival ticketholders would receive free entry to the replacement event.
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Did Sarah Ferguson still appear in Perth?
Yes. The replacement was a separate event at Joondalup Resort on November 1, 2024, rather than a rescheduled Festival of Fiction session. The West Australian reported it was planned for 6:30 p.m. and that the October festival had sold out, with a waitlist of more than 200 people. PerthNow’s November 2 report said the resort event took place the previous Friday night and was sold out. It also reported Ferguson had signed a 22-book deal with Serenity Press. PerthNow’s post-event report covers the November appearance.
| Appearance | Date and venue | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Festival of Fiction headlining slot | October 19, 2024, ECU Joondalup | Announced in June; Ferguson withdrew in July and did not appear in the festival program. |
| Separate replacement event | November 1, 2024, Joondalup Resort | Post-event reporting said Ferguson appeared and the event sold out. |
What is the Festival of Fiction now?
The Festival of Fiction is a literary event distinct from Perth Festival. Its official website lists a separate 2026 edition for November 21–22 at ECU Joondalup. The listing describes two concurrent theatres: one for reader-focused author panels, and another for writers’ mini-masterclasses and panels with publishers and literary agents. It also advertises workshops, book signings and five-minute in-person pitching sessions; pitching requires a separate pitch ticket.
For the 2026 listing, the festival advertises 80 authors and 10 publishing-industry professionals. Day passes are listed at $45 standard or $30 concession for each theatre and day. These are the prices displayed on the official site accessed October 8, 2026, and may change. Check the Festival of Fiction’s official website for the current schedule and ticket details.
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