Melbourne Writers Festival director Rosemary Cameron has confirmed that the 2007 festival this year earned the highest box-office sales on record.

Box office sales increased by 44% on 2006, while attendance increased 14% from 35,000 to 40,000. These audience figures exclude umbrella events which were included in audience figures prior to 2006.

Cameron said the increase in box-office takings indicated that ‘despite the call for more free events at the festival ... the audience growth was in the more expensive tickets.'

Also among the final figures from the festival organisers was the news that book sales increase by 26%, attendance at the schools program by 7% and that, as of this week the website hits have increased by an impressive 175% on last year.

Cameron said the organisers had ‘big plans for 2008' when the event moves to Melbourne's Federation Square. ‘I'm confident that this change in venue will result in much increased public exposure, a more diverse program, increased ticket sales to a wider demographic, increased sponsorship and greater media attention,' she said.