Start your Festival countdown – three days to go!
Real world topics
Wisdom of the Ages
Thursday 21 May, 4pm | Carriageworks
Find a path through the 21st century as Paul Callaghan, Brigid Delaney and Hiroko Yoda bring ancient wisdom to life for contemporary times. In conversation with host Ashley Hay.
Family Secrets
Sunday 24 May, 3pm | Carriageworks
Hear disparate perspectives on family secrets and home from Korean American writer Susan Choi, Bornean Australian artist and writer Omar Musa and Sri Lankan Australian writer S. Shakthidharan. With host Sisonke Msimang.
The Future Library
Friday 22 May, 5pm | Carriageworks
Why is Amitav Ghosh writing a book no one will read until 2114? Find out with Future Library Trust Chair Anne Beate Hovind and Amitav as they discuss this extraordinary project. With host Ashley Hay.
Full-on fiction
Myths Retold
Sunday 24 May, 1pm | Carriageworks
Breathe new life into ancient stories with Nikita Gill’s verse novel and goddess origin story Hekate and Zoe Terakes’s collection of queer mythic reimaginings Eros. In conversation with host Amy Sambrooke.
Chronically Contemporary
Saturday 23 May, 10am | Carriageworks
Discuss the here and now of contemporary fiction and writing in the internet age with novelists Maria Reva, Josh Silver and Tony Tulathimutte in conversation with host Carody Culver.
S.A. Cosby: King of Ashes
Friday 22 May, 1pm | Carriageworks
Dig through a family’s secrets and betrayals in King of Ashes by New York Times–bestselling crime novelist S.A. Cosby, in conversation with Matthew Condon.
For writers
Reading as a Writer: Masterclass with Tony Tulathimutte
Saturday 23 May, 7.30pm | Carriageworks
Take to the page with author and writing teacher Tony Tulathimutte to learn the subtle art of how a story works with a line by line look into Raymond Carver’s ‘One More Thing’.
My Writing Soundtrack
Thursday 21 May, 5pm | Carriageworks
Hear from Lay Maloney, Ellen van Neerven and Kirli Saunders as they explore the connection between music, writing and creativity, with Melanie Saward. Including a special musical performance.
State of the Art: The Booker Prize
Friday 22 May, 8pm | Carriageworks
Hear Booker Prize–winning and –shortlisted writers read from their works and reflect on their journey to recognition. With Susan Choi, Roddy Doyle, Yann Martel, David Szalay, Charlotte Wood and host ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans.
Festival audiobook picks
Our curated audiobook library is now live, meaning you can take your Festival reads with you wherever you are!
Listen to fiction and non-fiction highlights from the Festival or get recommendations from Festival guests Omar Musa, Madeleine Gray, Trent Dalton, Bruce Pascoe and more.
Explore the full collection over on Spotify and listen to your next Festival favourite.
Current affairs
Holding Up the Mirror
Thursday 21 May, 1pm | Carriageworks
In a timely and prescient conversation, hear Jewish writers Lee Kofman, Jon Sopel and Michael Visontay discuss antisemitism today, with host Avril Alba.
Writing in the Age of Trump
Thursday 21 May, 7pm | Carriageworks
Join American writers Deborah Baker, S.A. Cosby and Tayari Jones as they share their insights into the state of literature in the current political climate. With Sisonke Msimang.
The Future of Truth
Sunday 24 May, 10am | Carriageworks
Join journalist Barbara Demick, philosopher A.C. Grayling, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and AI researcher Toby Walsh as they share their perspectives on the value of truth today. With ABC Radio National’s Natasha Mitchell.
From our Partners
Dendy Cinemas
Experience the soaring journey of H is for Hawk at Dendy Newtown’s next Book Club screening. To celebrate, Dendy Newtown is giving away a copy of Helen Macdonald’s bestselling memoir. To win a copy, let us know: what wild animal would you like to train?
Email your answer to socials@Dendy.com.au and get ready to see H Is For Hawk at Dendy Newtown on Sunday 31 May at 10.30am.
Stockade Brew Co – proud alcoholic beer sponsor of Sydney Writers’ Festival
As the Festival’s exclusive alcoholic beer sponsor for 2026, Stockade Brew Co invites readers to try their beers at a welcoming price! Simply enter code WELCOME10 at checkout for 10% off your first order.
Sydney Writers’ Festival acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. They are the first storytellers of our land and we honour their tradition of passing down stories. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our events take place. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
