What's on

Sydney Writers' Festival - Live & Local 2025

22 May 2025 22 May 2025 22 May 2025 22 May 2025 22 May 2025 22 May 2025 23 May 2025 23 May 2025 23 May 2025 23 May 2025 23 May 2025 24 May 2025 24 May 2025 24 May 2025 24 May 2025 24 May 2025 24 May 2025 25 May 2025 25 May 2025 25 May 2025 25 May 2025 One of Australia’s best-loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers’ Festival will stream its headline events from Sydney direct to the Glasshouse Studio over four days.

20 more dates

Markus Zusak: Three Wild Dogs and the Truth

22 May 2025 Twenty years after his international sensation The Book Thief, Markus Zusak turns to non-fiction. Listen as Markus extols on love and human-animal connection in his memoir about his three big pound dogs. In conversation with Richard Glover.

Gina Chick: We Are the Stars

22 May 2025 Hear Alone Australia winner Gina Chick regale you with stories of her extraordinary life, from her unconventional childhood to deep links with nature as an adult. With host TK.

David Nicholls: You Are Here

22 May 2025 Travel the winding road of love through first encounters and second chances with bestselling novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls, in conversation with Jennifer Byrne on his latest love story.

Thomas Mayo, Clare Wright: Past and Future of Indigenous Recognition

22 May 2025 Respected Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and historian Clare Wright reflect on the history of First Nations movements for change in Australia and look at next steps. With Lorena Allam.

Kaliane Bradley: The Ministry of Time

22 May 2025 Question what it means to change the world by defying history with Kaliane Bradley’s bestselling debut, which blends time travel, romance and spy thriller. With host Melanie Kembrey.

Alam, Arnott, Harvey, Peters: State of the Art: The Novel

22 May 2025 Join esteemed novelists Rumaan Alam, Robbie Arnott, Samantha Harvey and Torrey Peters as they discuss the state of the novel with host ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans (The Bookshelf).

Liane Moriarty, Nicola Moriarty, Jaclyn Moriarty: The Moriarty Sisters

23 May 2025 Join the Moriarty sisters, Jaclyn, Liane and Nicola, as they discuss their career beginnings, different publishing paths and many successes with writer and broadcaster Sarah Macdonald.

Helen Garner: The Season

23 May 2025 Hear iconic Australian writer Helen Garner’s reflections on football and the cycles of life in The Season, her first full-length book in a decade. In conversation with David Leser.

Alan Hollinghurst: Our Evenings

23 May 2025 Hear Alan Hollinghurst discuss his seventh novel, a rich and pleasurable account of a lifetime in modern England and the search for identity. In conversation with Georgina Godwin.

Colm Tóibín: From Brooklyn to Long Island

23 May 2025 Hear how Laureate of Irish Fiction Colm Tóibín returned to the Lacey family of international bestseller Brooklyn with the long-awaited sequel, set 20 years after Rose’s death. With ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans.

Kate McClymont, Shankari Chandran, Ian Rankin: Untrue Crime

23 May 2025 Novelist Shankari Chandran, investigative journalist Kate McClymont and Diamond Dagger Award winner Ian Rankin discuss the line between fact and fiction in the stories they tell about crime. With host Matthew Condon.

Nadine Ingram, Natalie Paull, Kate Reid: Bakers' Delight

24 May 2025 With host Jennifer Wong, get special insight into the art and industry of baking from the queens of Australian pastry, Flour and Stone's Nadine Ingram, Beatrix Bakes' Natalie Paull and Lune Croissanterie's Kate Reid.

A.C. Grayling on Cancel Culture

24 May 2025 Philosopher A.C. Grayling traces ‘cancel culture’ back to the ancient Greeks and tries to find a middle ground among the incendiary debates flamed by contemporary culture wars.