FORMER Senator Bob Carr charmed, appalled and made more than a few of his political colleagues squirm when he published his Diary Of A Foreign Minister last year.

The one time NSW Premier and Labor icon has just donated $62,000 in proceeds from the book to charity and he'll give locals the opportunity to question him on his controversial memoirs at next month's Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival.

To be held on this June long weekend, the festival's focus has the theme Politics and Society.

In addition to an appearance by Mr Carr, former Independent Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, will also take his place on the podium.

Mr Oakeshott also penned a bestseller in the wake of his retirement from parliament called ... The Independent Member For Lyne.

With over 25 authors, political commentators and social advocates in this year's line up, the public will be treated to a huge spectrum of political and social issues from speakers in touch with the news and views of the Australian community.

Among the list of invitees are journalists David Marr and Paul Daley, mental health advocates Professor Gordon Parker and David Roland, authors Robert Drewe and Mandy Nolan, and screenwriter Shelley Birse.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit bellingenwritersfestival.com.au