City of Greater Bendigo mayor Jennifer Alden yesterday said she was pleased the event had managed to return after a COVID-19 inspired hiatus in 2020.

The festival will include the tagline "Strewth" and includes more than 50 events involving in excess of 100 writers. The event will run from Thursday, May 6 to Sunday, May 9.

"I'm delighted to be involved in this event, as we celebrate the return to Bendigo of the Writers festival to our city, and yes, we probably need to say 'strewth'.

"Maybe that somehow captures a sentiment from our previous year's experience," Cr Alden said.

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In a first for the BWF, the program will also include livestreaming, making it possible for writers to appear live on-screen in one of the venues, and for audiences to view some sessions online.

The Bendigo Bank Theatre will become the virtual theatre space for the festival, with every one of the 19 sessions in that virtual theatre space to cater for audiences in person and live online.

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Australian writers who will be in-person include Garth Nix, Don Watson, Pip Williams, Louise Milligan and Thomas Mayor. Best-selling food writer Alice Zaslavsky will talk to Cr Alden on the opening Friday, and comedian Fiona O'Loughlin will close the festival on Sunday evening.

Festival director Rosemary Sorensen said there had always been a strong demand for politics and history, as well as social issues and conversations about healthy living.

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"Right from the start of planning for this year's program, it's been really important to balance the tough stuff with optimism and to encourage good thinking with excellent conversations," Ms Sorensen said.

"There are surprises on this program, such as the wonderful Wenfei Tong, who researches bird behaviour and Simon Parke who writes in a unique way about spirituality.

"We think that, more than ever before, people are hungry for help, keen to listen and share, and most of all, very ready to feel inspired."

Yesterday's launch also included the announcement of a new collaboration with the Bendigo Library.

Tickets for the festival are on sale at https://www.bendigowritersfestival.com.au

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