The Festival Precinct is open!
Media Release posted Wednesday,20 may,2026
Sydney Writers’ Festival is back at Carriageworks! Last night, we opened the doors to our Festival precinct for the first time this year with an insightful evening of conversation with acclaimed journalists.
There’re still entire days of amazing writers and events you can catch, including iconic Australians Stephanie Alexander, Bob Carr and Susan Wyndham, internationally renowned writers Yann Martel and Jimmy Wales or hear from star-studded panels in Bringing the Past to Life and Keeping Score.
The bookshop is overflowing, the coffee is freshly ground and the doors are wide open so come visit us at the Festival!
Festival photos
From the Festival blogger
What’s the scoop?
Author, playwright, screenwriter, Festival guest and 2026 official blogger George Kemp recaps last night’s journalistic banquet, The Story That Changed My Life.
Read George’s thoughts and observations on the real-world anecdotes that changed the lives of journalists Lorena Allam, Avani Dias, Lyse Doucet, Anton Enus, Kate McClymont and Patrick Radden Keefe.
Thursday highlights
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook’s Companion 30th Anniversary
Thursday 21 May, 2pm | Carriageworks
Hear from Australia’s beloved chef Stephanie Alexander on the 30th anniversary of her essential kitchen resource and one of our favourite cookbooks, The Cook’s Companion. With chef Adam Liaw.
Bringing the Past to Life
Thursday 21 May, 4pm | Carriageworks
Sink into stories from near and far in this Festival favourite event with Robbie Arnott, Yann Martel and Tasma Walton, in conversation with ABC Radio National’s Kate Evans.
Yann Martel: Son of Nobody
Thursday 21 May, 12pm | Carriageworks
Unravel ancient traditions of storytelling with the Booker Prize–winning author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel, as he discusses his new novel, Son of Nobody. With ABC Radio National’s Claire Nichols.
Jimmy Wales: The Seven Rules of Trust
Thursday 21 May, 6pm | Sydney Town Hall
Hear Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales’s actionable steps for fighting misinformation in The Seven Rules of Trust. With Richard Fidler.
Susan Wyndham on Elizabeth Harrower
Thursday 21 May, 11am | Carriageworks
Untangle the mysterious life of remarkable Australian novelist Elizabeth Harrower with researcher and author Susan Wyndham. In conversation with Nicole Abadee.
Keeping Score
Thursday 21 May, 11am | Carriageworks
Hear ex–Sydney Swans player Brandon Jack (Pissants) and playwright Suzie Miller (Prima Facie, Strong Is the New Pretty) discuss writing the game with host Matthew Condon.
Bob Carr: Bring Back Yesterday
Find hope in the aftermath of profound grief with former NSW premier Bob Carr in his memoir Bring Back Yesterday. In conversation with Jennifer Byrne.
Livestream the Festival
Discover your next read
Take One, Leave One
If you’ve caught up on all your reading and aren’t sure what’s next, we can help!
Our Take One, Leave One wall returns for 2026, so head to Carriageworks Bay 21, take your next obsession and leave a recommendation for another Festival attendee.
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.
