We Love Literary Places.
A helpful guide to find the places you need to know about if you love books and writing as much as us!
Our region is fortunate to have many fantastic booksellers and passionate, engaged literature lovers.
There is something for everyone in our region and surrounds.
Meet our Official Venue Partner
153-11 University Avenue,
Australian National University,
Acton ACT 2601
Harry Hartog Bookshop at ANU
Harry Hartog at the Australian National University holds a special place in our hearts as our official venue partner. Thanks to the support of the Harry Hartog team we are able to host numerous masterclasses and creative workshops with inspiring writers and gather with MARION members and friends for special events.
More than simply a space lined with shelves, Harry Hartog is a meeting place between the worlds found inside books and the world around us.
National Library of Australia
Bookshop
Parkes Place, Parkes ACT 2600
MARION (formerly ACT Writers) members receive a 10% discount on in-store book purchases. Note: Offer does not include limited edition prints, discounted and remaindered stock, newspapers, stamps, copy cards, magazines and vouchers.
The NLA Bookshop specialises in Australian publications. The shop stocks a superb range of Australian fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature titles, including the complete range of books produced by NLA Publishing. They also have an extensive selection of gifts and merchandise sourced both locally and interstate and feature work from a range of Australian artists. With the award-winning NLA Bookplate Cafe adjacent, it’s a wonderful spot to take a break and enjoy the Capital, not to mention the spectacular National Library itself!
Paperchain Bookstore
34 Franklin Street, Manuka ACT 2603
MARION (formerly ACT Writers) members receive a 10% discount on in-store cash purchases and a 7.5% discount on in-store card payments from our friends at Paperchain.
Paperchain Bookstore is an upbeat, independent and well-loved institution in Canberra since 1982 carrying a wide selection of new titles. Paperchain host regular author events. Known for its fabulous customer service, attentive and knowledgeable staff and thoughtful selection of books. Their staff have expertise in areas as diverse as art and design, contemporary fiction, history, biography, philosophy, current affairs, travel, children's literature, cooking and gardening.
The Pen Boutique
Shop DF15, Level 1, Canberra Shopping Centre ACT 2601
MARION (formerly ACT Writers) members receive a 10% discount on in-store items. Note: excludes markdowns and gift vouchers.
Authorized dealer of fine pens and writing instruments. They also have an extensive range of notebooks and much more.
More ACT region book stores …
Asia Bookroom - Unit 2, 1 - 3 Lawry Place, Macquarie ACT 2614, Australia
BOOKFACE - Shop H41, 33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin ACT 2912
Book Lore - 94 Wattle St, Lyneham ACT 2602
Book Passion - Shop 36 Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, 1 Lathlain Street, Belconnen ACT 2617
The Botanical Bookshop - Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross St. Acton - ACT 2601
Canty's Bookshop - Unit 4, 5 & 6 of Fyshwick Plaza, 59-61 Wollongong St, Fyshwick ACT 2609
Dymocks Belconnen - Westfield, Shop 175, Level 3, Benjamin Way, Belconnen, ACT Australia 2617
Dymocks Canberra City - Shop CL17/148 Bunda St, Canberra Centre ACT
Harry Hartog Australian National University - Cultural Centre Kambri, ANU Building 153, Acton ACT 2601
Harry Hartog Tuggeranong - Shop 111/112 South Point Shopping Centre, Anketell St, Greenway ACT 2900
Pulp Book Cafe - Shop 6 / 18 O'Hanlon Pl, Federation Square Nicholls ACT 2913
QBD Books Belconnen Shop/219 Benjamin Way Westfield, Belconnen ACT 2617
QBD Books Canberra City Shop FF06/148 Bunda St, Canberra Centre ACT
QBD Books Woden Shop G047A1/160/2 Keltie St, Westfield Woden, Phillip ACT 2606
The Book Cow
47 Jardine St,
Kingston ACT 2604
The Book Cow is proud to be an independent, local bookseller. They are part of the www.indies.com.au, Australia's largest buying network of independent bookshops. They sell a great range of new books across all genres. They’re also passionate about children's books with a large range of local, Australian and overseas books for kids of all ages. The Book Cow is also a supplier of new books to schools and childcare centres across the ACT.
The Curatoreum, National Portrait Gallery
King Edward Terrace,
Parkes ACT 2600
The Curatoreum: /kjʊˈreɪ.tər ri.əm/ noun, an expansive collection of desirable mixed, sifted and selected books and objects organised by experts in a thoughtful and inspiring way in anticipation of amusement and delight for the curious partaker. The Curatoreum is an independent bookshop with two stores in Canberra, at the National Arboretum and the National Portrait Gallery. The Curatoreum aim to support Australian publishers, authors and artists. They offer an extensive range of biography, history, literature and children’s picture books.
Muse - Food, Wine, Books
Ground Floor, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue,
Griffith ACT 2603
Nestled between Kingston and Manuka in the stylish East Hotel, Muse is a meeting place for those who enjoy a flat white with their Flanagan, and their Winton with a good washed rind. They have a carefully curated selection of new and second hand books on sale during restaurant opening hours. Plus, when not dining or drinking from their fabulous, award-winning all-Australian drinks list, they host a busy calendar of events featuring some of Australia's top writers, thinkers, politicians, artists and winemakers.