The annual Sydney Writers’ Festival is here, once again transforming the city into a haven for writers, readers and storytellers. With more than 200 events, from more than 250 authors – including 39 international guests – having a plan to tackle this big week of books is essential.
From May 17 – May 24, the Sydney Writers’ Festival takes over Carriageworks, Sydney Town Hall, the State Library of NSW and beyond for its 29th year. This year’s theme is “Show Me The Truth” and the program sets out to highlight how these authors explore truth and trust in times of uncertainty across all forms of writing.
Once again, the Sydney Writers’ Festival, a definite “must-do” in May – has drawn together an impressive list of headline names from around the world. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Australian favourite Trent Dalton, Booker Prize winner David Szalay, investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe and Slow Horses creator Mick Herron. And we can’t forget Dav Pilkey, the world-famous creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man and hero to anyone who has tried to get young children to read.
As well as headline names, there’s headline events like the always popular SWF Great Debate, on May 21, which will see Annabel Crabb and writer David Marr go head to head in a comedy debate of the topic “We Can’t Handle The Truth”. Then there’s “The Story That Changed My Life” on May 19, with journalists Lorena Allam, Avani Dias, Lyse Doucet, Anton Enus, Kate McClymont and Patrick Radden Keefe set to reflect on the moments and stories that transformed them, splitting their careers into before and after.
Like Vivid, one of the best things about the Sydney Writers’ Festival is that about a third of it is free. Organisers have highlighted 55 free events across Sydney, from family-friendly days to firebrand-filled panel discussions.
Here’s our pick of the best free things to do at the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Tickets for the paid events are being snapped up quickly, so if you want to buy a ticket, it’s best to check out the full program at swf.org.au to confirm availability.
Family Day – May 24
Family Day is exactly as described – a day centred on family fun and engagement with a full line-up of free talks, workshops and performances for kids (and big kids).
Between 10am – 3.30pm there’s a jam-packed schedule of free activities at Carriageworks. Highlights include: author and illustrator Cheryl Orsini will guide kids in badgemaking, Russ the Story Bus rolls into town with a belly full of books to borrow from, and artists of all ages will be encouraged to fire up their creativity to contribute to the ever-changing art and craft wall.
Feast: Food Fights – May 23
Another festival freebie is FEAST: Food Fights on May 23. Chinese Australian writer, comedian and food enthusiast Jennifer Wong plays host to festival guests Durkhanai Ayubi, Natalia Figueroa Barroso, Shirley Le, Debra Oswald, Michael Shaikh and others who will share their heartfelt stories of dinner disasters and mouth-watering tales at Carriageworks.
Secrets of the Lodge – May 21
On May 21, also at Carriageworks, Troy Bramston, Sean Kelly, Amy Remeikis and Niki Savva share their expert insights into Australian democracy and some of our larger-than-life prime ministers in “Secrets of the Lodge”. In conversation with Margot Saville, these four writers and political analysts will share tidbits about lesser-known historical moments in politics and what really goes on behind the scenes.
Fireside – May 23
Gather round the campfire -literally – for two Fireside events at Carriageworks on May 23. Around the Sydney Writers’ Festival firepit at Carriageworks, writer Bruce Pascoe and Professor of Astrophysics Ray Norris blend First Nations knowledge and astronomy, sharing stories about the stars above and secrets of the universe in Fireside: Sky Stories at 6pm. Later, Shaun Micallef, Bora Chung, Mariana Enriquez and Maeve Marsden will gather for an evening of delightful tales of horror, in Fireside: Spooky Stories at 7pm.
The Good Weekend Quiz – May 23
Calling all trivia buffs! Grab your morning cuppa and join Quizmaster Brian Yatman and Benjamin Law for a test of your bookish knowledge. There’s prizes for those who do the best and you’ll also get an insight into how the Saturday institution the Good Weekend Quiz ins created and get tips about the write way to quiz an answer age old questions like “Does an answer count if it’s not written down?”
Chris Hammer in conversation – May 22
At Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, Aussie crime author Chris Hammer will be joined by fellow crime writer Hayley Scrivenor for an evening of suspense and storytelling which delves into the making of Hammer’s latest novel, Legacy. After the chat, there will be a Q+A and book signing with both authors. If there’s any tickets left, they are only $5 which is less than a large coffee – so basically free.
The Writers Who Made Us – May 21
What makes a writer? Often, it’s other writers and in this free event you’ll hear from three writers – Susan Wyndham, Alexandra Lapierre and Lily King – about who has influenced them in their life and their work. Bestselling French novelist and biographer Lapierre will speak about Miles Franklin, the central figure of her new novelised biography The Very Secretive And Passionate Stella Miles Franklin. King, the New York Times–bestselling author of Heart the Lover speaks on powerhouse Shirley Hazzard, while journalist and writer Wyndham will talk about enigmatic subject of her new biography Elizabeth Harrower: The woman in the watch tower.
