Sydney Writers Festival

The Sydney Writers Festival is a cultural event catering to writers and readers. It includes a diverse schedule of educational programs, workshops, interactive sessions, and entertainment for all participants.

Writers, bloggers, online publishers, political activists, and journalists are a few of the many who participated in this event.

As always, the Festival presents diverse views and voices to audiences seeking different experiences.

You can decide whether to stick with what you love or go out on a limb and challenge yourself with discovery or discomfort. You can explore the intersections of writing with music, art, politics or philosophy or double down on the pure pleasure of poetry.

Listening to a story or reading a book builds bridges to a community of fellow readers, irrespective of time and place. But when we have the chance to share a conversation with writers and fellow readers, we instantly become part of a living community. Come and join this community and let the Festival take you away.

Previous guests have included George Saunders, Susan Faludi, Paul Beatty, Colson Whitehead, Anne Enright, Alan Cumming, Vince Gilligan, Hannah Kent, Liane Moriarty, John Safran, Richard Flanagan, Helen Garner, Kate Grenville, Alexis Wright, Tom Keneally, Kate McClymont, Omar Musa and Ceridwen Dovey.

The Sydney Writers Festival also offers a range of diverse programs for writers and online publishers. Workshops are conducted during this event to help writers learn valuable skills. For instance, bloggers can learn to write fantasy, and journalists can acquire the writing skills of romance novels. Those working on a special project can also expand their horizons by participating.

The festival also includes some free events. Writers, thinkers, illustrators and performers of all age groups are welcome to participate and celebrate this event in Sydney.

With so many events during the festival, it’s impossible to list them all here. Please check out the official event program for details on the events, dates, times, venues, admission prices, and how to buy tickets.

Some of the highlights at Sydney Town Hall include:

Liane Moriarty and David Nicholls

International bestselling novelists Liane Moriarty and David Nicholls share the experience of seeing their powerful local stories turn into binge-able television series and films.

Liane’s Big Little Lies was the first book by an Australian to debut at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list, and since then, all 10 of her novels have been optioned for screen adaptation.

David executive produced the Netflix adaptation of his bestselling novel One Day and has written screen adaptations for Far from the Madding Crowd and Great Expectations.

Join Liane and David as they talk about their new books, Here One Moment, and You Are Here, and being sensations across page and screen. With host Claire Nichols (ABC Radio National’sThe Book Show).

Marian Keyes: My Favourite Mistake

Beloved Irish author Marian Keyes unpacks her latest story of lost sparks and old flames and what happens when high-flyer Anna swaps New York’s skyscrapers for the rugged Irish coast.

Readers were introduced to the loveable and chaotic Walsh Family 30 years ago. They’ve watched the five beloved sisters grow into middle age, including middle daughter Anna. Anna enjoys a solid and enviable life in New York until her spark goes out. She needs the warm embrace of her family in Dublin to kickstart her passion for life. A thorny local public relations project and the reappearance of an old flame might just do the trick.

As Marian introduces an incredible cast of new characters to fall in love with in her sixteenth novel, she also sheds light on the novel’s themes, including midlife lessons, friendship break-ups, letting go of mistakes, regret and perceiving yourself differently. Expect laughter, heartfelt moments and inspiring storytelling that showcases Marian’s fearless honesty, warmth and wit for an uplifting event with one of the most beloved voices in fiction today.

Join bestselling author Marian Keyes as she talks about the latest Walsh Family instalment in conversation with author and Mamamia podcast host Holly Wainwright.

Jeanette Winterson: 40 Years of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Jeanette Winterson’s debut novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, a coming-of-age tale based on her upbringing by adoptive Pentecostal parents in 1960s Lancashire.

The novel quickly became a modern classic and had an extraordinary impact, especially for queer readers. With its unique voice and pioneering foray into autofiction, it was the start of a prolific career that spans 10 novels and children’s books, nonfiction and screenplays, including the BAFTA-winning BBC adaptation of her first novel.

Join this celebratory event to hear Jeanette recount her writing life so far from the very beginning.

SWF Great Debate: True Friends Stab You in the Front

The scintillating chronicler of human weakness, Oscar Wilde, once said, “True friends stab you in the front”.

In this popular event, writer and presenter Annabel Crabb and writer David Marr lead opposing teams in a rollicking debate on the legitimacy of this aphorism about friends who betray each other.

Featuring debaters Matilda Boseley, Rhys Nicholson, Justine Rogers and Jennifer Wong and adjudicated by Yumi Stynes, this debate will surely get provocative, pithy and personal.

Bankstown Poetry Slam

Bankstown Poetry Slam is back, bigger and better than ever.

The award-winning community platform welcomes poets of all backgrounds to share their experiences through spoken word. Headlining as a guest performer in this special Sydney Town Hall event is award-winning Palestinian author and journalist Plestia Alaqad, who showed the world Gaza through her eyes in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 attacks.

Attendees are welcome to put their names forward to join the line-up. Come together for a powerful night filled with poetry, performances and a shared passion for language. Hosted by Bilal Hafda.

Barrie Cassidy and Friends: State of the Nation

Festival favourite State of the Nation returns bigger and better than ever for an Australian post-election wrap-up.

What is the future of Australian politics? What are the failures of a two-party system? How are voters resisting ‘politics as usual’ during housing, cost of living and climate crises? What difference can we expect from this government?

Assess the state of Australian politics in this panel discussion featuring broadcaster and Walkley Award-winning journalist Waleed Aly, Prime Minister’s Literary Award– and Walkley Award-winning journalist George Megalogenis, The Australia Institute’s chief political analyst Amy Remeikis and Melbourne Press Club Lifetime Achievement Award winner Niki Savva. They join veteran political journalist and former host of Insiders and Offsiders Barrie Cassidy.

Dreams of the Future

We know words can change the world, from Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech to Greta Thunberg’s impassioned address to the United Nations Climate Action Summit.

Inspired by the fusion of activism and oration, the Sydney Writers’ Festival and Vivid Sydney have gathered writers, artists, activists and changemakers to share their messages of change.

Writers Sisonke Msimang and Torrey Peters centre marginalised voices and experiences in their work, rapper Ziggy Ramo challenges colonialism and institutional racism in his music and writer, and editor Megha Kapoor founded INPRINT Magazine to share more diverse perspectives on fashion. Aretha Brown was elected the Prime Minister of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament and works as an artist and activist, Anjali Sharma is a climate change activist, and Craig Foster retired from professional football to become a human rights advocate, winning NSW Australian of the Year in 2023 for his work.

Join these innovative and passionate voices as they envision a better and more hopeful future for Australia and the world.

Why We Sleep, Featuring Professor Matthew Walker

In his first live event in Australia, neuroscientist Matthew Walker explores how we can harness sleep to improve learning, mood and energy levels, regulate hormones, prevent disease and slow the effects of ageing.

In Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams Matthew provides fascinating insights into one of the most important but least understood aspects of our lives, affecting our wellness and longevity.

Hear him in conversation with Sana Qadar, award-winning journalist and host of ABC’s All in the Mind podcast.

Free events and Curiosity Lectures

With over a third of our program free to attend, you can choose your own adventure of free sessions—including our Curiosity Lecture Series, where some of the Festival’s most inquisitive minds deliver lectures on eclectic topics that spark their curiosity.

All-Day YA

With sessions specially curated by Sydney Writers’ Festival Nathan Luff (Manager of Children’s & YA Programs), All-Day YA is an epic celebration of all things YA (Young Adult fiction).

Returning on Saturday, 24 May, we’re delighted to bring young people and their favourite authors together again at Carriageworks to explore the latest genre trends.

Family Day

On Sunday, 25 May, roll on to Carriageworks for the marvellous magic of Family Day, a riotous celebration of storytelling and creativity that will captivate kids of all ages. Enjoy talks, storytelling sessions, arts and crafts stations, a mobile library, live animals and more.

There’s also a wide range of free activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that will whisk kids away into a world of wonder.

Festival Food

Whether you’re popping in for a single session or settling in for a full day, it’s not just your mind that is in for some serious nourishment at the Festival.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and open Thursday–Sunday, there are food options galore at this year’s Festival.

Coffee
First things first: freshly roasted coffee. We’re serving coffee at the Edith’s Corner Bakehouse in the Main Foyer, or you can enjoy coffee from Bar Coco and Grind n Press Coffee elsewhere at Carriageworks.

Water
To help you stay hydrated throughout the day, we have water stations at Carriageworks where you can refill your water bottle.

Food
The Precinct has a wide array of pop-up eateries. Stop by the Edith’s Corner Bakehouse in the Main Foyer at Carriageworks for sandwiches, salads and baked goods.

There’s an abundance of options in the Blacksmith’s Workshop with food trucks, including:

• Agape Organic Foods
• Emmy’s Gozleme
• Antico woodfired pizza
• Bar Coco – Churros
• Bar Coco – Coffee and Gelato

Head indoors to the Festival Hub in Bay 22 to find:

• G’s Jaffle’s
• Empanadas Che
• Smoking Gringos
• Mapo Gelato
• Grind n Press Coffee

From the bar
Take your pick from one of the many Festival bars around the Precinct for your afternoon tipple. From midday each day, we’re serving Hickson House Distilling Co. gin, Gage Road beer and Bunnamagoo wine at the Main Foyer Bar and Hickson House pop-up bar in the afternoon and evening.

Getting There

The Festival Precinct is located at Carriageworks, Eveleigh, and additional events take place across the city at Sydney Town Hall, the State Library of NSW, and Riverside Theatres, Parramatta.

Travelling to the Festival Precinct at Carriageworks
Carriageworks is located at 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. It is a 10-minute walk from Redfern Station, City Road bus stops, Macdonaldtown Station or a 20-minute walk from Waterloo Station.

Catching public transport is strongly recommended, as on-street parking in the area is strictly limited.

Bicycles and Parking
Bicycle parking is available at Carriageworks.

Street parking is limited in Eveleigh. Casual parking is available at Shepherd Street Carpark, approximately a 10-minute walk from Carriageworks.

There are six accessible parking spaces at the end of Carriageworks Way via 229 Wilson Street, available on a first-come-first-served basis. For peace of mind, we recommend arranging to be dropped off.

Taxis and rideshare services can enter at 229 Wilson Street for level access entry.

Festival Bookshop
Have you discovered a new author and want to purchase their latest work? Are you keen to catch up on a beloved writer’s earlier titles? Stop by the Gleebooks Festival bookshop at Carriageworks or the Gleebooks pop-up stores at Sydney Writers’ Festival’s leading venues and purchase your favourite titles.

Gleebooks features books by authors throughout the program, including the latest releases and earlier works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and more.

Festival Shuttle Bus
Our Festival shuttle bus operates from Thursday, 22 May, to Sunday, 25 May, and travels between Carriageworks and Redfern Station. Buses set off from the Festival Bus Stop (Stand A) on Gibbons Street in Redfern, adjacent to Redfern Train Station. Buses depart approximately every 25 minutes between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.